Quote:
Originally Posted by Williamoforange
Great, let me know when those the zoning, and built form are changed to reflect an area of Mid-rise housing, because currently its Single family homes protected by every regulation the city can throw at it.
Look reality is the majority of Centretown in protected by heritage designation, "Mature" neighbourhood protections and zoning that maxes out at 4 stories.
As for why does it have to be that way, well demand & housing affordability that is why, so since you seem to continue to insist that "urban" neighbourhood be built to the lowest form and built to respect the low density built form. My question to you is why should it not be mid-high rise housing?
P.S Theres something all of those places you mention (except montreal) have in common as well.....
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There are quite a few heritage sfh, though nearly all of them, in Centretown at least, have been devided-up into multi-units or commercial. I would still say that close to half of the heritage stock are low to mid-rise apartment blocks and commercial buildings.
There are plenty of surface parking lots and poor quality late 20th century buildings to redevelop without messing too much with the existing quality urban fabric.
I would not say the City protects much heritage. Most heritage designation seem to only request warning of demo. Many heritage buildings like the Medical Arts are reduced to facadism. Others are left to rought, heading for demo by neglect like Somerset House. If anything, heritage protection should be strengthened.
I don't buy the argument that more housing, especially high-rise, improves affordability. We've built plenty in the last few decades, and prices have only gone up, way up. If anything, existing stock is more affordable because of its age. Mid-rises are more affordable because they are cheaper to build. Cheaper still might be converting the remaining heritage sfh into multi units.
Yes, the cities I stated also include high-rise districts, but they also have rich heritage low and mid-rise stock, what many would call a good balance. That's what I'm proposing for Centretown.
That said, I think people's opinions are pretty much set in stone when it comes to this debate. I likely won't be able to change anyones mind, and vis versa.