Ryerson's New Look

January 26, 2008 - The Premier has announced a $45 million contribution to help Ryerson University purchase several buildings along Yonge Street for a new library extension and student centre. Among the buildings to be purchased is the old Sam The Record Man building. Part of the University's master plan, this new development will give Ryerson frontage onto Yonge Street, enabling the university to finally have a "proper entrance".

The concept plans that were presented show the big Sam sign will be preserved in the new building. Retail will remain at the ground level, with the library and study space above. I like the big Ryerson University sign (it's much better than the U of T one across Harbord at Spadina). I also think Gould Street could definitely be more pedestrian friendly. I don't know if it should be shut down to traffic completely, but a similar scheme like the St. George master plan is achieveable.

Constructions are set to begin in a year's time! would be interesting to see if they could get the City to agree to its plans for Gould Street, but the new building on Yonge Street would mark yet another exciting project for the area.

Jarvis Slip Design Competition

January 24, 2008 - So yeah, I didn't get a job at Metrolinx, but that doesn't mean I'm bitter =) I have such high hopes for them and I know for sure my friends there will do a great job in moving forward with our transit vision.

Another agency that gets a lot of public attention these days is Waterfront Toronto, which is responsible for our waterfront redevelopment. Over the years, the agency has planned a number of high profile projects, including the new West Don Lands neighbourhood and the central waterfront redevelopment. Just last week, they announced the finalists for the Jarvis Slip, a new public space that will anchor the new East Bayfront neighbourhood. The most interesting aspect of this space is that it's right beside the Redpath Sugar Factory. How will the new plaza/park embrace this industrial giant?

1) Janet Rosenberg + Associates - WeatherFront

"Inspired by the multifaceted characteristics of Canadian climate, Weatherfront is a highly visible and animated gateway to the East Bayfront Community. Our design is about embracing weather in all its forms and interacting with it on many different levels. Weatherfront offers a viewpoint for spectacular natural processes along the waterfront throughout the year. People can watch the lake and the sky, nature’s vast stage, and see how weather evolves and changes throughout the seasons. "

2) Claude Cormier Architects - Sugar Beach

"Sugar Beach is the sequel to a new wave of urban beaches, this time designed with a sweet twist. Tinted by Redpath sugar spray carried on westerly breezes, dozens of candy-colored umbrellas are scattered across a sandy wedge of beach along Jarvis Slip. Integrating the future Waterfront Promenade and a plaza for programmed and unprogrammed events, the design playfully adopts some of the most enduring elements from Toronto’s emerging landscape identity – beaches, bedrock, trees and water, as well as the urban horizon and a trace mood of the city’s industrial past."

3) West 8 + DTAH - Robotic Arms

"The multi-functional performance plaza is a stage where one can play and express oneself. It is furnished with a patterned mosaic floor and memorable objects of attention – two sculptural timber lighting masts that engage in an interactive hydraulic ballet of movement to animate the space.

In contrast, the triangulated softscapes provide an area for more intimate seclusion with a place for nature in the square that reflects the seasons. Here, we introduce a collection of native trees with distinct shapes and character that create a much-needed micro climate on an exposed waterfront site as well as a compelling foreground which frames views to the lake."

My pick is the West 8 + DTAH proposal, mainly because the two robotic arms look very cool. The sculpture gives the plaza a focal point, and not to mention, an attraction where people from across town will come and check out. The designers claim that the sculptures are more representative of sugar canes (because of the history of the area), then legs of a giant bug - but nonetheless, it will for sure attract attention (I would love to see the legs be "impotent").

The other two designs aren't bad per se. Sugar Beach is way too HTO and it has that been there, done that feeling. I also think it's a mismatch to the surrounding area. I'm not sure how beachy it would feel with the giant cargo ship parked beside it. Weatherfront is a cool concept, but that huge semi-transparent wall doesn't feel right to me. The egg-shaped chairs are also kinda weird looking, and who would be sitting there in winter anyway?

For a public space to be successful, it must be well used. With a built-in attraction like the robotic arms, I think the West 8 + DTAH plan can attract the people it needs to make the Jarvis Slip a vibrant place. It would be interesting to see which plan Waterfront Toronto will ultimately go with.

Our waterfront has definitely come a long way. I'm actually quite excited about it (as you can tell, I'm big into planning for public spaces). Too bad I couldn't make it to the project presentations, but you can check out other reviews here.

Why It Sucks Being a Transit Planner

January 22, 2008 - It could be cause I'm been having a bad month, but lately, I've been thinking how and why my chosen profession, urban planning, often gets no respect from the majority of the public. When you think about the great professions that are out there, most people would automatically think about doctors, lawyers, dentists, and heck, even accountants. But do people think about planners? nope. Sure, we have a professional organization and planning programs at most universities are considered "professional" ones, but really, do most people know what planners do? do most people know what urban planning is?

This gets especially difficult when we talk about transit. Now that my job does not deal with transit anymore (don't get me started on why), I guess I can freely discuss why it sucks being a transit planner. Sure, it's cool and it's exciting and it's hip. Transit is on the verge of a comeback after decades of neglect after all. But really, does a transit planner get the respect he/she deserves? Nope.

To me, the public doesn't acknowledge nor recognize transit planners because EVERYONE IS A TRANSIT PLANNER. That's everyone who rides transit that is. Why? because everyone who rides transit has his/her own views/opinions on how and why transit should be planned and operated in a certain way. That's fine - everyone is entitled their own opinion, except that the majority of the public does not know the real facts and issues about transit. We (myself included) complain about the TTC being slow, unreliable, and overcrowded, but how many of us know that the TTC is strapped for cash because it receives no operation funding from the province? or we often compare our subway system to that of Madrid or Hong Kong or even the ones in China, but yet, many of us don't know that projects in these places have little to no Environmental Assessment criteria? or yeah, we can have MoveOntario 2020, but without operation funding, the TTC may not even be able to run it's Transit City LRTs or that subway to Richmond Hill.

What makes me mad is when I read on forums, blogs, and editorials, people complain about transit, yet they know so little about it. As a planner, it makes me feel like my profession doesn't matter, because you have all these idiots that think they can do a better job. Some of these people (some of my friends included), don't even know that there are different levels of government (for the record, I am not responsible for the the potholes on your street, nor the tree that's dying in your front yard). Try asking your friends who our Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor is - I bet you half of them would not know.

So yeah, being a planner sucks. We get no respect, no acknowledgment. Remind me why I went to planning school again?

January Blues

January 19, 2008 - Is it just me or this has been a brutal January? Aside from the snow and cold weather, it feels like 2008 just did not start on the right note for me. Let's see here: work has hit rock bottom; I've been sick for about 3 weeks now; I haven't seen the sun in days; and it feels like this month will never end.

It's just really hard to stay positive all the time. When the environment that you're in is toxic, it's really difficult to remain all happy and bright. I guess I just have to keep telling myself that I deserve better, and channel all that hatred and anger into something more positive.

Oh yeah, 2008 resolutions! I'm going to keep them to three this year:

- Go to bed earlier
- Eat healthier
- Go out and do more things around the city