@denovocities.bsky.social
Reposted
#topoli #urbanism
Bigger isn't always better. Optimization requires finding the Golden Mean.
Those who espouse urban intensification focus on the perceived scale benefits, but often suffer a blindspot wrt the diseconomies of scale.
👇
Bigger isn't always better. Optimization requires finding the Golden Mean.
Those who espouse urban intensification focus on the perceived scale benefits, but often suffer a blindspot wrt the diseconomies of scale.
👇
#topoli #urbanism
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Unfortunately, your kid understands the situation better than some of the people who are actually running Toronto
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 PM
#urbanism
Interesting that a book celebrating the impromptu aspects of a city isn't titled "Spontaneous City" or "Serendipitous City" but, rather, "Messy City", as if it is likewise meant to normalize and celebrate urban decline.
Interesting that a book celebrating the impromptu aspects of a city isn't titled "Spontaneous City" or "Serendipitous City" but, rather, "Messy City", as if it is likewise meant to normalize and celebrate urban decline.
“How do you plan and design a city that is safe and functional while also leaving room for spontaneity and serendipity?” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
In Praise of Urban Disorder
The book Messy Cities looks at unregulated and informal development from Toronto to Tokyo to show how less planning can deliver more vibrant neighborhoods.
www.bloomberg.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
#urbanism
Interesting that a book celebrating the impromptu aspects of a city isn't titled "Spontaneous City" or "Serendipitous City" but, rather, "Messy City", as if it is likewise meant to normalize and celebrate urban decline.
Interesting that a book celebrating the impromptu aspects of a city isn't titled "Spontaneous City" or "Serendipitous City" but, rather, "Messy City", as if it is likewise meant to normalize and celebrate urban decline.
#topoli #urbanism
Bigger isn't always better. Optimization requires finding the Golden Mean.
Those who espouse urban intensification focus on the perceived scale benefits, but often suffer a blindspot wrt the diseconomies of scale.
👇
Bigger isn't always better. Optimization requires finding the Golden Mean.
Those who espouse urban intensification focus on the perceived scale benefits, but often suffer a blindspot wrt the diseconomies of scale.
👇
#topoli #urbanism
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Unfortunately, your kid understands the situation better than some of the people who are actually running Toronto
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Reposted
#topoli #urbanism
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Unfortunately, your kid understands the situation better than some of the people who are actually running Toronto
February 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Reposted
#usa #europe
Rather than admitting what's wrong in BOTH societies -- the prerequisite to making both better -- we're tribal, picking sides & pretending that only the other has problems, all the while ignoring our own decline, corrosion & rot. Without change, this will not end well for either one.
Rather than admitting what's wrong in BOTH societies -- the prerequisite to making both better -- we're tribal, picking sides & pretending that only the other has problems, all the while ignoring our own decline, corrosion & rot. Without change, this will not end well for either one.
USA and Europe. One is an economically declining place of violence and no-go streets, restricted freedoms and censored media, immigration crises and a non-growing population whose choices threaten the ruin of a great civilization.
And then there’s Europe
And then there’s Europe
February 1, 2026 at 4:03 PM
#topoli #urbanism
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Aristotle knew the Golden Mean was virtuous 2400 yrs ago, so why assume density is best?
With 2/3 of 2026 pop'n, 1986 Toronto had:
-96% of the library branches
-80% of the subway stops
-avg home price-to-income of 4x vs 11x
-an inflation-adjusted Metropass that cost 2/3 of today's
Unfortunately, your kid understands the situation better than some of the people who are actually running Toronto
February 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
#usa #europe
Rather than admitting what's wrong in BOTH societies -- the prerequisite to making both better -- we're tribal, picking sides & pretending that only the other has problems, all the while ignoring our own decline, corrosion & rot. Without change, this will not end well for either one.
Rather than admitting what's wrong in BOTH societies -- the prerequisite to making both better -- we're tribal, picking sides & pretending that only the other has problems, all the while ignoring our own decline, corrosion & rot. Without change, this will not end well for either one.
USA and Europe. One is an economically declining place of violence and no-go streets, restricted freedoms and censored media, immigration crises and a non-growing population whose choices threaten the ruin of a great civilization.
And then there’s Europe
And then there’s Europe
February 1, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Reposted
#canpoli #cdnpoli #urbanism
Anyone who's done their own snow shovelling and yardwork all their life knows that the #climatecrisis isn't real.
Ground youself in reality and your anxiety and delusions disappear.
Anyone who's done their own snow shovelling and yardwork all their life knows that the #climatecrisis isn't real.
Ground youself in reality and your anxiety and delusions disappear.
January 27, 2026 at 3:40 AM
#canpoli #cdnpoli #urbanism
Anyone who's done their own snow shovelling and yardwork all their life knows that the #climatecrisis isn't real.
Ground youself in reality and your anxiety and delusions disappear.
Anyone who's done their own snow shovelling and yardwork all their life knows that the #climatecrisis isn't real.
Ground youself in reality and your anxiety and delusions disappear.
Reposted
#canpoli #cdnpoli #bcpoli
You're kidding, right?
Maybe union LEADERSHIP is an NDP ally, NOT the MEMBERSHIP.
BC NDP's environmental policies have destroyed resource-extracting livelihoods, and its FN reconciliation policies threaten the fruits of everyone's labours by undermining personal property.
You're kidding, right?
Maybe union LEADERSHIP is an NDP ally, NOT the MEMBERSHIP.
BC NDP's environmental policies have destroyed resource-extracting livelihoods, and its FN reconciliation policies threaten the fruits of everyone's labours by undermining personal property.
January 26, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Reposted
#canpoli #cdnpoli #onpoli
Our country's top manufacturing sector is threatened with extinction, and the "solution" is to hasten its demise by importing more foreign-made cars...
Our country's top manufacturing sector is threatened with extinction, and the "solution" is to hasten its demise by importing more foreign-made cars...
a close up of a man 's face with a mustache wearing a black jacket .
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a mustache wearing a black jacket .
media.tenor.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted
January 24, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Reposted
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Reposted
#canpoli #cdnpoli #topoli #housing #onpoli
As a big wave of mortgages come up for renewal in 2026 at higher interest rates, and the economy continues to soften, downward pressure will build in the housing market. Avg prices in Toronto are already down >25% from the peak in Feb 2022. (1/3)
As a big wave of mortgages come up for renewal in 2026 at higher interest rates, and the economy continues to soften, downward pressure will build in the housing market. Avg prices in Toronto are already down >25% from the peak in Feb 2022. (1/3)
IMO this is about affordability & job location, not immigrant type. In '66 price-to-income for the avg Toronto house was 3-4x. Now it's 11-12x. A new immigrant could pull it off with a decent job @ Massey-Harris or Goodyear in the 416. Now those kinds of jobs (if they exist) are in the 905 & beyond.
January 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
🎯
January 14, 2026 at 4:55 PM
🎯
Bigotry of any kind is totally unacceptable. Please remove or I must block you.
January 13, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Bigotry of any kind is totally unacceptable. Please remove or I must block you.
#uspoli #eupoli
According to the Kiel Institute, the US has provided ~$115bn in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. See link 👇 for detailed tracker.
www.kielinstitut.de/topics/war-a...
According to the Kiel Institute, the US has provided ~$115bn in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. See link 👇 for detailed tracker.
www.kielinstitut.de/topics/war-a...
December 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
#uspoli #eupoli
According to the Kiel Institute, the US has provided ~$115bn in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. See link 👇 for detailed tracker.
www.kielinstitut.de/topics/war-a...
According to the Kiel Institute, the US has provided ~$115bn in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. See link 👇 for detailed tracker.
www.kielinstitut.de/topics/war-a...
This 👇 will get REALLY interesting in 2026 and beyond as new claims are made on unceded land, which makes up the vast majority of BC, including Vancouver. Not a billion dollar question... more like a TRILLION dollar question. #canpoli #cdnpoli #bcpoli #urbanism
Property owners in British Columbia are scrambling for options after a court said indigenous groups have a right to reclaim ownership of land taken from them scores of years ago.
Canada’s $1 Billion Question: Do Property Rights Still Exist in British Columbia?
A provincial court said indigenous groups can reclaim ownership of land taken from them scores of years ago.
on.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
#architecture #urbanism #toronto
I keep wondering where all the great design pros have gone, since Toronto's housing projects have suffered a creativity famine for so long. The answer: Calgary 👇. #WestisBest
I keep wondering where all the great design pros have gone, since Toronto's housing projects have suffered a creativity famine for so long. The answer: Calgary 👇. #WestisBest
December 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
#architecture #urbanism #toronto
I keep wondering where all the great design pros have gone, since Toronto's housing projects have suffered a creativity famine for so long. The answer: Calgary 👇. #WestisBest
I keep wondering where all the great design pros have gone, since Toronto's housing projects have suffered a creativity famine for so long. The answer: Calgary 👇. #WestisBest
Reposted
First, the +ves: (1) new PBR supply & (2) choice of mass timber. Definitely laudable. BUT... the design looks like a cross between a generic 60s/70s medical building & the Toronto South Detention Centre. Where have all the creative design professionals gone? #urbanism #architecture #toronto #topoli
60 new rental homes under construction in south Etobicoke by developers Oben Flats and Windmill Developments. The 9-storey project is prefabricated using mass timber for both the structure and envelope.
December 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
First, the +ves: (1) new PBR supply & (2) choice of mass timber. Definitely laudable. BUT... the design looks like a cross between a generic 60s/70s medical building & the Toronto South Detention Centre. Where have all the creative design professionals gone? #urbanism #architecture #toronto #topoli
First, the +ves: (1) new PBR supply & (2) choice of mass timber. Definitely laudable. BUT... the design looks like a cross between a generic 60s/70s medical building & the Toronto South Detention Centre. Where have all the creative design professionals gone? #urbanism #architecture #toronto #topoli
60 new rental homes under construction in south Etobicoke by developers Oben Flats and Windmill Developments. The 9-storey project is prefabricated using mass timber for both the structure and envelope.
December 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
First, the +ves: (1) new PBR supply & (2) choice of mass timber. Definitely laudable. BUT... the design looks like a cross between a generic 60s/70s medical building & the Toronto South Detention Centre. Where have all the creative design professionals gone? #urbanism #architecture #toronto #topoli
#architecture #urbanism #toronto
Wait a minute... might I've been wrong about the capabilities of Toronto's design professionals? Did I just find a modern multi-res midrise with some warmth and character 👇? Oops, wrong turn... that's in the Paris, 5th arrondissement, not Toronto. Silly me...
Wait a minute... might I've been wrong about the capabilities of Toronto's design professionals? Did I just find a modern multi-res midrise with some warmth and character 👇? Oops, wrong turn... that's in the Paris, 5th arrondissement, not Toronto. Silly me...
December 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
#architecture #urbanism #toronto
Wait a minute... might I've been wrong about the capabilities of Toronto's design professionals? Did I just find a modern multi-res midrise with some warmth and character 👇? Oops, wrong turn... that's in the Paris, 5th arrondissement, not Toronto. Silly me...
Wait a minute... might I've been wrong about the capabilities of Toronto's design professionals? Did I just find a modern multi-res midrise with some warmth and character 👇? Oops, wrong turn... that's in the Paris, 5th arrondissement, not Toronto. Silly me...
In these times of debate over what kind of City we want in the future, it would be advisable to interview former leaders like David Crombie and John Sewell who had to navigate through similar challenges back in the 70s. Let's tap into that wisdom while we still can. #topoli #urbanism #toronto
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM