Gradually, then suddenly. That line from Ernest Hemingway comes to mind this week, as Toronto City Council considers one of its most important plans in a generation: the vision for Villiers Island, a major new waterfront neighbourhood.
Of course, they won’t put it that way. But it is true. The plan, which goes to the city’s planning and housing committee on Thursday and then to city council next week, is shaped by subjective urban design ideas. It goes against the spirit of what Mayor Olivia Chow and council have asked staff to do: maximize housing.
It’s possible to do much more, and also deliver a special place. But that means challenging the soft design assumptions of City Planning.
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