|
Quote:
That only works when the architecture in question is actually attractive. |
Downtown Markham is probably my favourite suburban development in the GTA (oxymoron?). The design isn't groundbreaking, but it's solid.
Cathedraltown is Silent Hill creepy. I mean it's still better than most suburban developments, but I wouldn't want to live there with that cathedral looming over you... |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Buses operate about every 45-60 minutes, and end in the 6:00-9:00pm range. |
A little more greenery would go a long way there.
Here's a new community in the deep SE of CAlgary, the first few buildings and homes are just finishing up IIRC. Much better density but still very car oriented with massive surface lots. http://vimeo.com/51303533 |
Quote:
I actually think the expectation of variety can often degrade the overall quality - if developers are spending time and energy on making each of their already dire boxes of ticky tacky look slightly different, then something else will be lost in return. Those Markham areas will probably look 10x better with some trees, street life and better weather, those photos are about as unflattering as possible! |
Quote:
What's the demand for all that multi-unit at the edge of town, anyway? Employees at the new hospital down there? The main street looks good, anyway. Just fill in a bunch of those parking lots with houses/apartments and it'd actually be walkable. I guess that might happen over time. |
Seton is designed as a sort of downtown for the deep SE of Calgary, this area is about 20km straight south of downtown Calgary. City bylaws and zoning are what are guiding the density there as it's all greenfield development.
|
I was in Nepean today along Carling Avenue, and I noticed several big-box style stores with pedestrian-oriented entrances right up against the sidewalk. Stores included Sleep Country Canada and LCBO.
Does the City of Ottawa mandate this style of commercial development? If not, why is this style of commercial development happening in Ottawa but not elsewhere in Ontario, save for some of the GTA? |
Quote:
Examples of this sort of thing: https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.33863...ZToKIPmjKw!2e0 - notice the Lowe's behind the two restaurants https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.36262...5Q!2e0!6m1!1e1 - notice the Walmart behind the street oriented retail https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.28926...EmD71Hgwag!2e0 - notice the strip mall in that giant parking lot behind the stores on the street. This one is rather weird looking as it's in a very new area that still has lots of greenfield around.. it's literally across the street from a farm. I think this rule is relatively new. I'm pretty sure all three of these were built in the past decade. There are definitely areas dating back to the 1980s and 1990s that have none of this sort of thing. Ottawa is getting better at suburban growth, to an extent. Many of the newer subdivisions are designed with linear-ish street layouts, have high densities (often having as much as half of new buildings be rowhouses or duplexes), are increasingly using brick, and have narrow driveways that only fit one car. Unfortunately Ottawa for the most part stopped extending real transit into new growth areas around 2009 or so (often new subdivisions have token bus service or literally none at all--these's a whole neighbourhood in Kanata that opened up in 2012 with literally no transit service), so they continue to be car oriented despite having real potential to not be. |
^ New big box around here looks very similar to that. The only problem is I don't think it encourages anyone to walk to these places. You still need a car.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Anyways your question as to whether or not it is just as dense I'm not sure but as mentioned the set backs are quite small for a new suburb. Also there is mixed housing types so there are semis, and towns interspersed with the detached which would boost density. Also was mentioned targets have to be reached that are set out by the province. Not sure how they compare with Alberta. Towns https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4475/...138d07f4_b.jpg Semis, towns https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4471/...cbde9df6_b.jpg Semis, detached https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/...d3162bb1_b.jpg Just a beautiful development in general (rear driveways, greenery, etc) https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/...d1b2cff4_b.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4491/...932e7e5a_b.jpg Neighbouring development, while not as nice, still has a good mix of styles and is pleasant looking. Some rear driveways, some not, decent greenery. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4488/...1bbffdcd_b.jpg Development uses a lot of siding for Ontario but is broken up with brick as to not be as monotone https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4480/...92ca8f9e_b.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/...28ea48e3_b.jpg Across town there is a traditional suburban development, open space, big garages, driveways, etc but once again not ugly https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4484/...100e615f_b.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4483/...b3167786_b.jpg |
/\ I would rather kill myself.
|
It's okay....the regular suburban area looks poor for walking, though the newer stuff is nice......mostly. If that area gets transit sometime, that'll be a more successful community.
|
Quote:
|
I've done work in Cathedraltown and it's a pretty nice development.
It's just a shame the main street didnt take off. The main street should have been laid out more like a lifestyle center and been located closer to Major Mackenzie with a major anchor tenant like a major asian grocery store and/or Saks Off Fifth type store. This wouldve boosted traffic in the area and there wouldnt be so many empty stores. Also, why paint window mullions a soul sucking white when a caramel or off-black wouldve looked so much better? |
All times are GMT. The time now is 10:57 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.