Living Cities

Agglomeration is my new favorite word.

One (1) Jane’s Walk is coming up on Saturday May 7^th & Sunday May 8^th. Walkability = a measurement of an area's pedestrian friendline. Built environments that facilitate walking (to stores, work, school etc.) have higher real estate values, promote healthier lifestyles and have higher levels of social cohesion. Stop in at Show & Tell Gallery when you're outwalking. Shown here: Tessar Lo, Maps. Jane’s Walk iphone app

Two (2) The Apr 14^th Town Hall Who Cares About 17 Million Voters, moderated by Metro Morning’s Matt Galloway was inspiring and interesting, outlining opportunities for city-building innovation & triple bottom line considerations where development is concerned.

Three (3) OCADU & MaRS are continually curating fabulous talks. On Apr 7th: Reclaiming the City: The Architect/Planner as Eco-Urbanist. Stephan Lanz from Berlin 21 discussed their role in Berlin's revitalization, and approach to sustainable development projects & initiatives. And from architect and urban planner Graeme Stewart, Toronto's Tower Renewal project.

Four (4) Toronto's Creative Capital Initiative is gathering input to the city's culture plan, which will be presented to the Economic Development Committee on May 4th. Themes of note from the March 28th session: zoning, space use, support local, consideration of neighbourhoods further from the downtown core.

Leah Sandals covered the youth session in Youth speak up at culture planning talks.

Five (5) In some Brazilian cities, up to 30 percent of people live in slums, or favelas. Rio has nearly 300 favelas.

WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

An emotional screening in Complexo do Alemão from Pierre-anthony Canovas on Vimeo.