Matt Armstrong
@matta7.bsky.social
Tall City Planner, Tkaronto (Toronto).
He/him. Formerly & fondly a resident of Hamilton, Ontario & London, UK.
He/him. Formerly & fondly a resident of Hamilton, Ontario & London, UK.
Is it too early to think about spring gardening? Not in my opinion. This resource will help those of you in or near Toronto in identifying native plants that suit the conditions you have. Answer a few quick, simple questions, and a list of suitable plants is provided.
www.toronto.ca/nativeplants
www.toronto.ca/nativeplants
Native Plants, Trees & Shrubs
Native plants, trees and shrubs are adapted to local conditions, making them low-maintenance, resilient and better able to withstand and reduce flooding, drought and other environmental pressures. Pla...
www.toronto.ca
November 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Is it too early to think about spring gardening? Not in my opinion. This resource will help those of you in or near Toronto in identifying native plants that suit the conditions you have. Answer a few quick, simple questions, and a list of suitable plants is provided.
www.toronto.ca/nativeplants
www.toronto.ca/nativeplants
Seeing smaller “urban sized” garbage trucks in Toronto makes me unreasonably happy.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Seeing smaller “urban sized” garbage trucks in Toronto makes me unreasonably happy.
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Just passed thru Exhibition Place & it’s rammed. They’re parking people on the grass (🤦🏽). Royal winter fair. Soccer game at BMO. The notion that the Ex is used two weeks a year is false.
November 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Just passed thru Exhibition Place & it’s rammed. They’re parking people on the grass (🤦🏽). Royal winter fair. Soccer game at BMO. The notion that the Ex is used two weeks a year is false.
Delicious & cozy weekend morning breakfast sandwich, thanks to some neighbourhood retail. The sandwich was huge! Is it symbolic that I have to loosen my belt…?
(Made Rite Coffee)
(Made Rite Coffee)
November 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Delicious & cozy weekend morning breakfast sandwich, thanks to some neighbourhood retail. The sandwich was huge! Is it symbolic that I have to loosen my belt…?
(Made Rite Coffee)
(Made Rite Coffee)
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
I’m going to make an end-of-year update to my Canada intercity transportation map by the end of November. Let me know what bus and rail services I’m missing or changes I should be aware of.
It’s a big country and I’ll probably miss something.
seanmarshall.ca/transport-map/
It’s a big country and I’ll probably miss something.
seanmarshall.ca/transport-map/
Canada Intercity Transport Map
All of Canada’s transport links, in one map This map depicts all intercity and regional bus and rail connections in Canada. Information for each transit agency and intercity carrier is availa…
seanmarshall.ca
November 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I’m going to make an end-of-year update to my Canada intercity transportation map by the end of November. Let me know what bus and rail services I’m missing or changes I should be aware of.
It’s a big country and I’ll probably miss something.
seanmarshall.ca/transport-map/
It’s a big country and I’ll probably miss something.
seanmarshall.ca/transport-map/
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
This is brilliant.
November 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This is brilliant.
Ever wonder about the architect behind Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto (70s render pictured), Robson Square or Simon Fraser in Vancouver, the Canadian Embassy in Washington…?
I have. Really fascinating documentary about Arthur Erickson “Beauty Between the Lines” screened last night at TMU. Recommended.
I have. Really fascinating documentary about Arthur Erickson “Beauty Between the Lines” screened last night at TMU. Recommended.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Ever wonder about the architect behind Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto (70s render pictured), Robson Square or Simon Fraser in Vancouver, the Canadian Embassy in Washington…?
I have. Really fascinating documentary about Arthur Erickson “Beauty Between the Lines” screened last night at TMU. Recommended.
I have. Really fascinating documentary about Arthur Erickson “Beauty Between the Lines” screened last night at TMU. Recommended.
We remember.
Sometimes I make mistakes & find myself in a grocery store at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Yet an announcement was made, people stopped moving, & fell silent. Quite moving that it happens everywhere.
Sometimes I make mistakes & find myself in a grocery store at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Yet an announcement was made, people stopped moving, & fell silent. Quite moving that it happens everywhere.
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
We remember.
Sometimes I make mistakes & find myself in a grocery store at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Yet an announcement was made, people stopped moving, & fell silent. Quite moving that it happens everywhere.
Sometimes I make mistakes & find myself in a grocery store at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Yet an announcement was made, people stopped moving, & fell silent. Quite moving that it happens everywhere.
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
First look 👀 at new #RapidTO transit priority installation on Bathurst south of Fort York. More white line painting to come, but a great start! What do you think?
November 7, 2025 at 11:26 PM
First look 👀 at new #RapidTO transit priority installation on Bathurst south of Fort York. More white line painting to come, but a great start! What do you think?
My Bluesky feed has become
a Bluejays feed…
a Bluejays feed…
November 2, 2025 at 3:49 AM
My Bluesky feed has become
a Bluejays feed…
a Bluejays feed…
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Walkable city baseball edition:
Andrés Giménez on how you get the feeling of a city by walking it.
Andrés Giménez on how you get the feeling of a city by walking it.
October 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Walkable city baseball edition:
Andrés Giménez on how you get the feeling of a city by walking it.
Andrés Giménez on how you get the feeling of a city by walking it.
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
This is an invitation to join me on my newly opened Bluesky account. I used to share time-lapse sketches & I’m hoping to continue showcasing interesting sites from around the world through Bluesky. For now, I’m using this as a friendly invitation to connect here. #UrbanDesign #architecture #sketch
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This is an invitation to join me on my newly opened Bluesky account. I used to share time-lapse sketches & I’m hoping to continue showcasing interesting sites from around the world through Bluesky. For now, I’m using this as a friendly invitation to connect here. #UrbanDesign #architecture #sketch
Confederation Station opened today!
For the first time in my life, there is a train station in reasonable distance to where I grew up (Stoney Creek, Ontario). Connecting to Toronto, Niagara Falls, places in between & beyond. Good news!
For the first time in my life, there is a train station in reasonable distance to where I grew up (Stoney Creek, Ontario). Connecting to Toronto, Niagara Falls, places in between & beyond. Good news!
October 27, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Confederation Station opened today!
For the first time in my life, there is a train station in reasonable distance to where I grew up (Stoney Creek, Ontario). Connecting to Toronto, Niagara Falls, places in between & beyond. Good news!
For the first time in my life, there is a train station in reasonable distance to where I grew up (Stoney Creek, Ontario). Connecting to Toronto, Niagara Falls, places in between & beyond. Good news!
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
The City of Toronto is proposing a new Cultural Districts Program to recognize and celebrate unique cultural areas across the city, including Little Jamaica, West Chinatown, and Church-Wellesley.
On October 28 at 6pm, join us to learn more!
Register here: https://ow.ly/4Zyh50XghO2
On October 28 at 6pm, join us to learn more!
Register here: https://ow.ly/4Zyh50XghO2
October 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The City of Toronto is proposing a new Cultural Districts Program to recognize and celebrate unique cultural areas across the city, including Little Jamaica, West Chinatown, and Church-Wellesley.
On October 28 at 6pm, join us to learn more!
Register here: https://ow.ly/4Zyh50XghO2
On October 28 at 6pm, join us to learn more!
Register here: https://ow.ly/4Zyh50XghO2
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Took my #BikeTO colleagues on a walk/roll of the newly & under construction Harbord Bikeway yesterday.
Harbord/Hoskin has been a bikeway since 1998, 27 years.
Curbs, planters, accessible platforms.. and so much more.
Learn More:
www.toronto.ca/services-pay...
Harbord/Hoskin has been a bikeway since 1998, 27 years.
Curbs, planters, accessible platforms.. and so much more.
Learn More:
www.toronto.ca/services-pay...
October 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Took my #BikeTO colleagues on a walk/roll of the newly & under construction Harbord Bikeway yesterday.
Harbord/Hoskin has been a bikeway since 1998, 27 years.
Curbs, planters, accessible platforms.. and so much more.
Learn More:
www.toronto.ca/services-pay...
Harbord/Hoskin has been a bikeway since 1998, 27 years.
Curbs, planters, accessible platforms.. and so much more.
Learn More:
www.toronto.ca/services-pay...
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Holly Whyte’s 1980 film The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces summarizes his seminal street life study of NYC’s plazas & is profoundly influential in the worlds of placemaking and livable cities. Join us on Nov 4 for a screening and panel discussion: https://ow.ly/zhR250XcJCm
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Holly Whyte’s 1980 film The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces summarizes his seminal street life study of NYC’s plazas & is profoundly influential in the worlds of placemaking and livable cities. Join us on Nov 4 for a screening and panel discussion: https://ow.ly/zhR250XcJCm
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
AI uses obscene amounts of energy & water. Another reason why I don't use it. Wish people would consider this when they're "playing with" or otherwise using AI. From CBC:
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
Thirsty AI data centres are coming to Canada, with little scrutiny or oversight | CBC News
Canada is poised to join the data centre boom. But as such projects face greater scrutiny around the world, there is little debate here about what this will mean for the country’s water.
www.cbc.ca
October 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
AI uses obscene amounts of energy & water. Another reason why I don't use it. Wish people would consider this when they're "playing with" or otherwise using AI. From CBC:
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
The iPhone … YouTube … and bike share! Montreal's bicycle-sharing system BIXI has been named among the top 25 inventions of the past 25 years by TIME magazine. cultmtl.com/2025/10/bixi...
BIXI named among top 25 inventions of the past 25 years by TIME magazine
TIME magazine has released a list of the top 25 inventions of the past 25 years, and Montreal's bicycle-sharing system BIXI is on it.
cultmtl.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The iPhone … YouTube … and bike share! Montreal's bicycle-sharing system BIXI has been named among the top 25 inventions of the past 25 years by TIME magazine. cultmtl.com/2025/10/bixi...
I was the Planner for this file, working with a great team. Positive results after only 1 year of occupancy. Particularly pleased to see the reference to the vegetable garden as part of healing. One of the challenges was ensuring reasonable amenity space for residents.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model | CBC News
The Dunn House, a long-term housing project with easy access to healthcare, is helping 48 of Toronto's most-frequent visitors to the ER. The program has greatly reduced the number of hospital visits a...
www.cbc.ca
October 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I was the Planner for this file, working with a great team. Positive results after only 1 year of occupancy. Particularly pleased to see the reference to the vegetable garden as part of healing. One of the challenges was ensuring reasonable amenity space for residents.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
OF COURSE SPEED CAMERAS WORK! There’s clear evidence of that. They save lives, and removing them will costs lives, including KIDS’ LIVES. The narrative of “cash grab” is a political tactic. Every dollar raised by such cameras is evidence of too much deadly speeding and the need for such cameras.
Parents, children rally against Ford's planned speed cam ban | CBC News
Concerned parents gathered with their children by a speed camera near Bloor and Dundas streets Saturday afternoon to protest a plan from Premier Doug Ford’s government to end automated speed enforceme...
www.cbc.ca
October 5, 2025 at 12:13 AM
OF COURSE SPEED CAMERAS WORK! There’s clear evidence of that. They save lives, and removing them will costs lives, including KIDS’ LIVES. The narrative of “cash grab” is a political tactic. Every dollar raised by such cameras is evidence of too much deadly speeding and the need for such cameras.
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Ugh I ❤️ Bike Share Toronto it’s come so far since I lived here (back when it was Bixi and there were like 20 stations 😂). And the protected bike lanes along Adelaide/Richmond are awesome. #biketo #bikingisbest
October 5, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Ugh I ❤️ Bike Share Toronto it’s come so far since I lived here (back when it was Bixi and there were like 20 stations 😂). And the protected bike lanes along Adelaide/Richmond are awesome. #biketo #bikingisbest
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
You might think that the mayor of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's vast Northwest Territories, would be a fan of giant pickups.
Nope. He's disgusted by car bloat.
www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...
Nope. He's disgusted by car bloat.
www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...
October 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
You might think that the mayor of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's vast Northwest Territories, would be a fan of giant pickups.
Nope. He's disgusted by car bloat.
www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...
Nope. He's disgusted by car bloat.
www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...
Reposted by Matt Armstrong
Good News! The long awaited Confederation GO station is now complete, and service will start on October 27th. There will be 13 weekday trips and 15 weekend trips serving the station once open. All existing Niagara trains will stop at the station, and some trips will be extended from West Harbour
September 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Good News! The long awaited Confederation GO station is now complete, and service will start on October 27th. There will be 13 weekday trips and 15 weekend trips serving the station once open. All existing Niagara trains will stop at the station, and some trips will be extended from West Harbour