Toronto Star critic Christopher Hume predicts a lackluster 2011 for Toronto -- both in terms of architecture and urbanism.
"Though the city's new mayor, His Worship Rob Ford, has nothing to do with it, his appearance on the civic stage sums up what the next few years will be all about: Two steps forward, three steps back; right now we're taking the three steps back.
Architecture is what economists might call a lagging indicator; fewer buildings get built in recessionary times, but the backlog of projects keeps construction going for years after the axe has fallen. In other words, the effect of the most recent economic debacle won't become evident until later in the decade."
Hume predicts that the city's cultural renaissance of the past decade will not survive.
FULL STORY: Hume: Toronto a few bricks short of a cultural renaissance
Expanding the Concept of Transit-Oriented Development: Lessons from Abroad
Keeping transit planning and development siloed can limit opportunities to build affordable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.
Toronto to Explore Potential High Line-Style Park
City staff will study options for transforming a defunct rail corridor into a linear park.
Toronto Shutters the Scarborough Rapid Transit Line Months Early
A 6.4-kilometer, six-station transit line was decommissioned early in Toronto, before a planned bus rapid transit route could be be put in place.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service