London Construction - Development News Thread#1

[GreatTallNorth2]

It's about time people cared and voiced opinions with regards to things happening in their community. I applaud these people for caring about their homes and neighbourhoods. I am not sure I understand the co-relation between opposing monstrosity student housing and black and white televisions.

In London, developers think they can do what they please. They design and build crap and get applauded for doing so. It's about time Londoners got a say and helped develop their city.

Why is London so behind the times when it comes to planning? Sorry, but you can't say that London is a city of high unemployment because people care about their neighbourhoods. We got to the suburban, sprawl crap because nobody has cared. We have lost small businesses and created ugly tin big box stores because Londoners are duped thinking these boxes create prosperity. Rubbish!

[Pimpmasterdac]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

Why is London so behind the times when it comes to planning? Sorry, but you can't say that London is a city of high unemployment because people care about their neighbourhoods. We got to the suburban, sprawl crap because nobody has cared. We have lost small businesses and created ugly tin big box stores because Londoners are duped thinking these boxes create prosperity. Rubbish!

I would agree with you, certainly London allowed suburban sprawl for too long. Main reason is those developments occurred in sparsely populated areas, where not many would complain. Now planning is trying to do more intensification and infill projects in existing neighbourhoods, and the NIMBYs come out of the woodwork out of selfish reasons; property values, not want more/"undesirable" people in the area, character and plain ol' NIMBYism.

It could understandable if these areas proposed alternatives or alterations but they seem diametrically opposed, just want status quo. Engaging in constructive dialogue to have community input in development is one thing, but they're just good ol' NIMBYs. I wouldn't say people caring about their neighbourhoods is the reason for unemployment, but stalls some projects that could help (e.g. Fincore).

[Simpseatles]

Originally Posted by Pimpmasterdac

It could understandable if these areas proposed alternatives or alterations but they seem diametrically opposed, just want status quo. Engaging in constructive dialogue to have community input in development is one thing, but they're just good ol' NIMBYs. I wouldn't say people caring about their neighbourhoods is the reason for unemployment, but stalls some projects that could help (e.g. Fincore).

That's exactly it! NIMBY's never seem to offer anything constructive to the debate. Their points are certainly valid, but they think of the situation simply as US vs THEM. It makes for a nasty, polarizing situation which is not beneficial to anyone. Hearing about the neighbours who are getting upset over the proposed apartment for autistic adults was particularly upsetting.

I understand that they might have legitimate concers about the appearance of the building, but what gets me is that a small infill project like this gets ripped to shreds, meanwhile little opposition is put up when some of the ugly highrises around town are put up. I understand why, but it's still annoying that something so much larger, and more noticeable gets less scrutiny.

[MolsonExport]

we tossed out the witch-queen of Angmar (and her nitwit consort) and replaced her with crazy uncle bob. The SS London is adrift without a captain in stormy seas, and is foundering.

[ssiguy]

For those who are ecstatic about this project, I have one comment............careful what you wish for.

In Vancouver whole neighbourhoods have been decimated by people who buy properties/houses and quickly tear them down and put up a monstrosity that sticks out like a sore thumb in both design and dimensions. Huge areas of Vancouver now have 1950s postwar homes standing beside ugly pink stucco monsters that nearly go to the lot line. It has ruined the urban fabric both social and architectural.

You may say people are being NIMBY's and that may well be true but once the precedent has been started it is hard to stop. In White Rock where I live most of the small city has medium density low rise buildings and there was a restriction of 8 floors making the entire city very pedestrian friendly. The mayor, who was bribed by the developer, allowed 2 25 story building to be put up 4 years ago. They are horrid looking things, stick out like sore thumb, caused the closing of several long standing businesses, and have now led to a flurry of such high rises being under construction and proposed.

Sometimes NIMBY's are a pain in the ass but one has to remember that sometimes they are right.

[MrSlippery519]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Sometimes NIMBY's are a pain in the ass but one has to remember that sometimes they are right.

I do agree to an extent, just wish those people complaining had an alternate option for the space. It is one thing to complain just to complain which is what most of these people are doing. And it is another thing to complain, give a valid reason why and then offer up a solution that would better suit the space.

Just my opinion

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by MrSlippery519

I do agree to an extent, just wish those people complaining had an alternate option for the space. It is one thing to complain just to complain which is what most of these people are doing. And it is another thing to complain, give a valid reason why and then offer up a solution that would better suit the space.

Just my opinion

Certainly on Wilson Ave we're not talking about 25-storey buildings. That would be going too far.

[Pimpmasterdac]

A good chunk of the people complaining about these developers are just diametrically against anything, other than status quo.

Manor Park is the best example of this..

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/05/01/bu...-such-projects

Here the project had some concerns from neighbours. The developer listened, made constructive changes and submitted an altered plan, taking these concerns and incorporating them in a new design in one week flat. Yet still people complain, saying garbage like riff raff or "undesirables" will flood the area and plummet property values. They just don't want anything to happen.

IMO seems many of these community associations like SoHo, Woodfield and unassociated ones like Blackfriars are opposed to any changes, regardless of how progressive they area. The main issue these areas are near the core, and are good candidates for infill and intensification developments. Areas like this could make the core more desirable and livable. Instead these areas want no changes, rather spurn potential developments for no improvements for "heritage", property values and other frivolous concerns.

Really just NIMBYism in areas of London that need a new way of thinking and new ideas to bring positive change!

[manny_santos]

Yet another one:

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/05/05/pl...nto-apartments

I am getting really sick of these types of people and reading these stories in the Free Press and other local papers. They have no understanding of the real world. This church is not their property, intensification is a necessary part of modern urban life, and it is such a minor inconvenience to them compared to what our friends in Bangladesh recently dealt with.

I don't know what these people would do in the rest of the world.

[Pimpmasterdac]

Plain and simple these neighbours are just elitists, they don't want ANY development, regardless of how well thought out and designed anything is. They'll find some trivial or insignificant fault and cause an uproar.

First most students don't drive to Western, they have a free bus pass, so at best only a couple extra cars would be on there, oh so exclusive street... Secondly the laneway is private property, developer can use it appropriately and besides what's that gonna add, maybe 30 seconds of walking!?

These same neighbours are probably the reason why there's been a huge crater at Northeast corner of Richmond & Victoria rather than something useful.