Deanne Mighton
@deannemighton.bsky.social
City Planner, Urban Designer, mom, e-bike and beach lover. Co-Founder Birch Bark Studio. I try to make places better, one project at a time, and learn new things along the way.
Well said. I support this editorial and think the new vision should incorporate a new Official Plan, since we're operating within a framework that is over 30 years old and no longer benefits all Toronto residents.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: The cost of Toronto’s free riders
The federal government revoking part of the city’s housing money highlights a split between suburbs and old city
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Well said. I support this editorial and think the new vision should incorporate a new Official Plan, since we're operating within a framework that is over 30 years old and no longer benefits all Toronto residents.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
👀⤵️
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 PM
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Reposted by Deanne Mighton
Or (6) 1000 sf flats with parking, front and back yard, big private porches, 2 accessible units, 2 subsidized rental units. Lot coverage at 50%.
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Or (6) 1000 sf flats with parking, front and back yard, big private porches, 2 accessible units, 2 subsidized rental units. Lot coverage at 50%.
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
In Portland, they're putting six 850 sf townhome units with no parking on 50'x100' lots
December 16, 2025 at 10:47 PM
In Portland, they're putting six 850 sf townhome units with no parking on 50'x100' lots
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Everything old is new again.
This is GTA tradition. I, for one, look forward to Kiss’n’Riding to a terminal station in my flying car when all these Network 2011 lines open. I don’t live in TO now, so my chances of my commuter fantasy remain the same.
December 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Everything old is new again.
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
This is GTA tradition. I, for one, look forward to Kiss’n’Riding to a terminal station in my flying car when all these Network 2011 lines open. I don’t live in TO now, so my chances of my commuter fantasy remain the same.
December 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This is GTA tradition. I, for one, look forward to Kiss’n’Riding to a terminal station in my flying car when all these Network 2011 lines open. I don’t live in TO now, so my chances of my commuter fantasy remain the same.
A friend made a great point last night: when we can’t afford the land transfer tax, we don’t move—we renovate. That pushes up prices on homes that used to be affordable entry points. Instead of turnover, everything gets more expensive. I worry this move could only exacerbate this current trend.
As Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow proposes raising the luxury homes tax to address the city’s deepening affordability crisis, realtors warn the move could end up hurting all homebuyers, not just the wealthy. #Toronto
nowtoronto.com/news/realtor...
nowtoronto.com/news/realtor...
Realtors say luxury homes tax hike may affect first-time buyers - NOW Toronto
Olivia Chow’s proposed increase to the luxury homes tax aims to fund city programs but raises concerns about its impact on buyers.
nowtoronto.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
A friend made a great point last night: when we can’t afford the land transfer tax, we don’t move—we renovate. That pushes up prices on homes that used to be affordable entry points. Instead of turnover, everything gets more expensive. I worry this move could only exacerbate this current trend.
Family-sized units have always been a challenge in high-rise and mid-rise typologies due to the high associated condo fees, making them unaffordable for many.
Governments continue to focus on small homes, like garden suites, in cities. Meanwhile 48% of 5+ person households are in core housing need in the City of Toronto.
Prioritizing small homes discriminates against newcomers who disproportionately form multigenerational households.
Prioritizing small homes discriminates against newcomers who disproportionately form multigenerational households.
December 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Family-sized units have always been a challenge in high-rise and mid-rise typologies due to the high associated condo fees, making them unaffordable for many.
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
Basic principles for the future of the car in cities:
✅ Fewer
✅ Smaller
✅ Slower
✅ Cleaner
This can be achieved with:
✅ Parking controls
✅ LTNs
✅ Road User Pricing
✅ Pedestrianisation
✅ Default 20mph roads
✅ Improved public transport
✅ Segregated cycling
✅ Fewer
✅ Smaller
✅ Slower
✅ Cleaner
This can be achieved with:
✅ Parking controls
✅ LTNs
✅ Road User Pricing
✅ Pedestrianisation
✅ Default 20mph roads
✅ Improved public transport
✅ Segregated cycling
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Basic principles for the future of the car in cities:
✅ Fewer
✅ Smaller
✅ Slower
✅ Cleaner
This can be achieved with:
✅ Parking controls
✅ LTNs
✅ Road User Pricing
✅ Pedestrianisation
✅ Default 20mph roads
✅ Improved public transport
✅ Segregated cycling
✅ Fewer
✅ Smaller
✅ Slower
✅ Cleaner
This can be achieved with:
✅ Parking controls
✅ LTNs
✅ Road User Pricing
✅ Pedestrianisation
✅ Default 20mph roads
✅ Improved public transport
✅ Segregated cycling
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
*More* exercise, in fact.
“Believe it or not, electric bikes offer more exercise than pedal bikes on average. That fact might sound strange, but the science is clear.”
Why e-bikes actually give more exercise than “acoustic”bikes. (but both/either are excellent when it comes to better cities)
electrek.co/2024/02/20/w...
Why e-bikes actually give more exercise than “acoustic”bikes. (but both/either are excellent when it comes to better cities)
electrek.co/2024/02/20/w...
Why electric bikes actually give more exercise than pedal bikes
Believe it or not, electric bikes offer more exercise than pedal bikes on average. That fact might sound strange (and...
electrek.co
November 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
*More* exercise, in fact.
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
Join in to celebrate Shirley Blumberg, Brigitte Shim, and Betsy Williamson’s work in founding BEAToronto, and their contributions in stewarding the organization through its first decade. Click here for more info:
BEAT Special Event: A Celebration of BEAT’s Founders — BEAT
A Celebration of BEAT’s Founders Thursday November 26, 6:30 - 9:00 pm Location: KPMB Architects, 351 King Street East, Suite 1200 Please join us in celebrating Shirley Blumberg, Brigitte Shim, and B...
www.beatoronto.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Join in to celebrate Shirley Blumberg, Brigitte Shim, and Betsy Williamson’s work in founding BEAToronto, and their contributions in stewarding the organization through its first decade. Click here for more info:
Great infographic👇
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Great infographic👇
We figured out how to move stadium crowds for Taylor Swift, but not how to move people for the World Series. It should be the same playbook — rinse, wash, repeat.
Toronto's World Series victory sparked chaos as fans faced transit failures, highlighting the urgent need for better planning during major events.
Read More: azat.tv/en/go-train-...
Read More: azat.tv/en/go-train-...
November 4, 2025 at 1:20 AM
We figured out how to move stadium crowds for Taylor Swift, but not how to move people for the World Series. It should be the same playbook — rinse, wash, repeat.
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
“A new study found when people moved from less walkable U.S. cities to more walkable ones, they increased their levels of physical activity and saw health benefits.”
The design of cities can help us be healthier. We’ve actually known that for quite a while. #HealthyCities
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
The design of cities can help us be healthier. We’ve actually known that for quite a while. #HealthyCities
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
The design of your city can help make you healthier, study finds
A new study in Nature found when people moved from less walkable U.S. cities to more walkable ones, they increased their levels of physical activity and saw health benefits.
www.cbc.ca
October 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
“A new study found when people moved from less walkable U.S. cities to more walkable ones, they increased their levels of physical activity and saw health benefits.”
The design of cities can help us be healthier. We’ve actually known that for quite a while. #HealthyCities
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
The design of cities can help us be healthier. We’ve actually known that for quite a while. #HealthyCities
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
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The world might be pulling back on climate truth: but I'm stepping it up.
How? I'm adding new videos, deep dives & behind-the-scenes stories to Talking Climate.
Why? Because climate honesty and hope matter more than ever right now.
Join me on Patreon: bit.ly/47pCLaf
Or Substack: bit.ly/4ntfvhJ
How? I'm adding new videos, deep dives & behind-the-scenes stories to Talking Climate.
Why? Because climate honesty and hope matter more than ever right now.
Join me on Patreon: bit.ly/47pCLaf
Or Substack: bit.ly/4ntfvhJ
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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Reposted by Deanne Mighton
@dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social writes for @sightline.org about the potential to bring back small lot apartment buildings.
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
@dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social writes for @sightline.org about the potential to bring back small lot apartment buildings.
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
#singlestair code changes can unlock this option for the first time in a century. Let’s go!
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
"Surprising fact: modern single-stair apartment buildings are just as safe as those with two."
Earlier this year, @pewtrusts.org looked into fire safety records for thousands of buildings in Seattle & NYC (which allowed its own 1-stair option in 2000).
Same fire safety record as other multifamily buildings & zero fire deaths related to the egress. www.pew.org/en/research-...
Same fire safety record as other multifamily buildings & zero fire deaths related to the egress. www.pew.org/en/research-...
Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record
Policymakers could increase the supply of multifamily housing in their states and localities by revising outdated building codes that require more than one stairway in small apartment buildings. If en...
www.pew.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Surprising fact: modern single-stair apartment buildings are just as safe as those with two."
“For the cost of rebuilding a couple of freeway interchanges, a city could build its entire bike network.”
(A reminder that better mobility doesn’t have to cost more — just be smarter.) Via @grist.org
(A reminder that better mobility doesn’t have to cost more — just be smarter.) Via @grist.org
“Meanwhile, the e-bike market is skyrocketing…
The question now is: Do officials double down on deadly car-centric urban design, or do they rethink cities to encourage people to ditch four wheels for two?” Via @grist.org
And do we let elected leaders keep doing the wrong things for our cities?
The question now is: Do officials double down on deadly car-centric urban design, or do they rethink cities to encourage people to ditch four wheels for two?” Via @grist.org
And do we let elected leaders keep doing the wrong things for our cities?
E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously
E-bike sales are booming, providing a clean form of transportation that also improves public health. Yet cities remain committed to cars.
grist.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“For the cost of rebuilding a couple of freeway interchanges, a city could build its entire bike network.”
(A reminder that better mobility doesn’t have to cost more — just be smarter.) Via @grist.org
(A reminder that better mobility doesn’t have to cost more — just be smarter.) Via @grist.org
Reposted by Deanne Mighton
What's a School Street you ask?
And then you ask, why aren't all transportation decision-makers choosing to build more streets for children?
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@yonahfreemark.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPz...
And then you ask, why aren't all transportation decision-makers choosing to build more streets for children?
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@yonahfreemark.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPz...
October 1, 2025 at 9:54 AM
What's a School Street you ask?
And then you ask, why aren't all transportation decision-makers choosing to build more streets for children?
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@yonahfreemark.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPz...
And then you ask, why aren't all transportation decision-makers choosing to build more streets for children?
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@yonahfreemark.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPz...
Third observation from said bike ride - why is the parking enforcement officer not stopping the TTC employees from blocking the bike lane?
October 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Third observation from said bike ride - why is the parking enforcement officer not stopping the TTC employees from blocking the bike lane?
Also, on my bike ride this morning, I watched a TTC cube van crawl down College St, blocking the bike lane. Two staff stopping at every stop to tape up service notices. Why not hop on transit—or even use Bike Share? Feels like a more efficient, low-carbon way to do the job.
October 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Also, on my bike ride this morning, I watched a TTC cube van crawl down College St, blocking the bike lane. Two staff stopping at every stop to tape up service notices. Why not hop on transit—or even use Bike Share? Feels like a more efficient, low-carbon way to do the job.
On my bike ride this morning, I noticed a parking enforcement officer cruising around on traditional bikes. Wouldn’t e-bikes make much more sense? They’d go faster, cover more ground, and less impact on rider. Other sectors have figured this out—why not here? Full disclosure, I was on my e-bike.
October 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
On my bike ride this morning, I noticed a parking enforcement officer cruising around on traditional bikes. Wouldn’t e-bikes make much more sense? They’d go faster, cover more ground, and less impact on rider. Other sectors have figured this out—why not here? Full disclosure, I was on my e-bike.