Toronto's answer to the question posed in the headline is, "yes." One columnist wonders if the city can do more to balance its priorities.
Toronto Star Contributing Columnist Matt Elliott writes a provocative article questioning Toronto, Ontario's commitment to its waterfront as a burgeoning hot spot for film production.
According to the article, 5,500 employees work in the city's Port land area, mostly in industrial or film-related jobs. Now, "Toronto is embarking on a new phase of waterfront revitalization that will seek to protect these industries while also redeveloping the Port Lands."
Elliott describes the revitalization plan—titled "Audacity" and given a green light by the Toronto City Council and Toronto Mayor John Tory in November—as "fascinating from an urban planning perspective."
This industrial activity is happening even as the area around it rapidly develops with new office buildings, new condos, new retail and new public spaces. And while it frustrates me that trucks often block the bike lane across the Redpath driveway — and some people tell me they can’t stand the raw sugar smell — generally all the uses work well together.
One key urban panning consideration that Elliott is endeavoring to draw attention to is the lack of effort being made to develop housing along with all the ambitions new designs for the Port Lands. One deal in particular has raised eyebrows, according to Elliott: "Tory recently announced the city would lease 8.9 acres of city-owned land in the Port Lands to Hackman Capital Partners to build a new $250 million studio hub in the Port Lands."
Toronto Adopts Inclusionary Zoning to Spur Affordable Housing Development
Inclusionary zoning, a policy tool designed to ensure new developments include a required number of affordable housing units, will soon be the land of the land in Toronto, Ontario. Not everyone is a fan of the new policy.
Opinion: California Should Pass Aggressive Housing Reform
While some lawmakers oppose recent efforts to reform housing policies, others argue the state's affordability crisis calls for bold action.
Inclusionary Zoning Adopted in L.A. County
The county of Los Angeles is looking for policy tools that will add affordable housing units to the housing market. Inclusionary zoning is its policy of choice.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
Proposed Bill Would Direct Funds to Road Safety
The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act was spurred by the death of a U.S. diplomat who was killed on her bicycle.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland