Parker
@pvillato.bsky.social
policy + public transportation + urbanism + wine + other distractions
opinions are my own and do not reflect any hypothetical employer
opinions are my own and do not reflect any hypothetical employer
Reposted by Parker
I cannot emphasize enough how little I want to see AI illustrations of blog posts. Ethics aside, it is boring to look at one version of a computer's simulation of what a human might have done. I'd rather imagine it myself. I'd rather just read the text. I'd rather just stare into the void.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I cannot emphasize enough how little I want to see AI illustrations of blog posts. Ethics aside, it is boring to look at one version of a computer's simulation of what a human might have done. I'd rather imagine it myself. I'd rather just read the text. I'd rather just stare into the void.
Slowly but surely undoing the damage done to our urban fabric during the late 1900's. Kudos to all those who pushed to get some form of this done.
Toronto will allow new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods
Small-scale retail will be allowed on select 'community streets' downtown.
www.thestar.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Slowly but surely undoing the damage done to our urban fabric during the late 1900's. Kudos to all those who pushed to get some form of this done.
Reposted by Parker
we have gone from a world in which we were told not to cite wikipedia because it was unreliable to a world where wikipedia might be the only reliable source left on the internet and we all owe a lot to the pedantic nerds who got us there
for all people mock it wikipedia is genuinely one of the wonders of the modern world
September 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
we have gone from a world in which we were told not to cite wikipedia because it was unreliable to a world where wikipedia might be the only reliable source left on the internet and we all owe a lot to the pedantic nerds who got us there
These people ought to be ashamed of themselves, considering the atrocities going on in the world today- calling mixed income housing “genocide”.
Housing is genocide sign seen at a NIMBY protest today against a mixed income high rise.
The new homes are less than a few blocks to a trolley stop.
And the neighborhood is majority white and middle to upper income.
The new homes are less than a few blocks to a trolley stop.
And the neighborhood is majority white and middle to upper income.
August 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
These people ought to be ashamed of themselves, considering the atrocities going on in the world today- calling mixed income housing “genocide”.
Reposted by Parker
Toronto is, in fact, a world class city, and various regional political dynamics serve to undermine it, and hold it back from further greatness.
What's your hottest take about Canada?
July 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Toronto is, in fact, a world class city, and various regional political dynamics serve to undermine it, and hold it back from further greatness.
Reposted by Parker
a big thing about going to school and working during the great recession was it was clear work was where you go to get yelled at while art and life were where you learn how to build skills and tackle meaningful problems.
i still dont know how to rate other peoples' work experience to this day
i still dont know how to rate other peoples' work experience to this day
This is a really smart point about "experience" from @besttrousers.bsky.social, presented as a screenshot of a thread for readability
June 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
a big thing about going to school and working during the great recession was it was clear work was where you go to get yelled at while art and life were where you learn how to build skills and tackle meaningful problems.
i still dont know how to rate other peoples' work experience to this day
i still dont know how to rate other peoples' work experience to this day
Reposted by Parker
another bluesky is dying article?
June 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
another bluesky is dying article?
In Ottawa for a conference and the amount of cars in Byward Market is quite sad. Makes it feel unfriendly to pedestrians and I definitely did not spend as much time wandering around as planned. What a missed opportunity.
June 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In Ottawa for a conference and the amount of cars in Byward Market is quite sad. Makes it feel unfriendly to pedestrians and I definitely did not spend as much time wandering around as planned. What a missed opportunity.
The best coffee break in the world; cortado at 300km/h on the AVE train in Spain. Dreaming of the same for Canada one day.
May 1, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The best coffee break in the world; cortado at 300km/h on the AVE train in Spain. Dreaming of the same for Canada one day.
Reposted by Parker
Toronto has hit a hard limit on how many cars we can funnel into downtown. The only way we can move more people around is by allocating more road space to transit.
Until then it's, streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars.
Until then it's, streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars.
April 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Toronto has hit a hard limit on how many cars we can funnel into downtown. The only way we can move more people around is by allocating more road space to transit.
Until then it's, streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars.
Until then it's, streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars stuck behind streetcars stuck behind cars.
This! Also- why isn't the city concerned about the replication of small-scale commercial spaces on high streets? Character is created by little storefronts that suit independent businesses- not necessarily heritage facades. Why can't we build denser AND ensure the "storefront rhythm" is supported?
The City spends so much time fighting over height, shadows and setbacks, and then competently ignores the ground floor appearance, which I argue matters far more for the quality of place in the city. How is this acceptable? Especially in this part of the city. @jasonthorne.bsky.social please help.
April 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This! Also- why isn't the city concerned about the replication of small-scale commercial spaces on high streets? Character is created by little storefronts that suit independent businesses- not necessarily heritage facades. Why can't we build denser AND ensure the "storefront rhythm" is supported?
proud moment for us in the toronto wino community
March 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
proud moment for us in the toronto wino community
The real reason why store owners overestimate the number of customers arriving by car...
Drivers arrived in a bad mood, complain about parking, make store owners aware they arrived by car... whereas walkers and bikers arrive in a good mood, don't complain about parking, and don't make themselves known.
March 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The real reason why store owners overestimate the number of customers arriving by car...
If Australia can be in Eurovision, surely Canada can be in the EU?
“Two officials, one from the European Union and one from Canada, with direct knowledge of the discussions said detailed talks were underway to incorporate Canada into the European Union’s new defense initiative.”
Menaced by Trump, Canada Prepares to Join E.U. Military Industry Efforts (Gift Article)
Canada’s draft deal to participate in Europe’s defense industry will bring contracts to Canadian manufacturers and help lessen dependence on the United States.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
If Australia can be in Eurovision, surely Canada can be in the EU?
It's always smart to diversify!
First defence, next.... high speed rail???
First defence, next.... high speed rail???
Big news: Canada is in advanced talks with the EU to join the bloc’s new project to expand its military industry, a move that would allow Canada to be part of building European fighter jets and other military equipment at its own industrial facilities.
#NewRebelAlliance
#NewRebelAlliance
Menaced by Trump, Canada Prepares to Join E.U. Military Industry Efforts
Canada’s draft deal to participate in Europe’s defense industry will bring contracts to Canadian manufacturers and help lessen dependence on the United States.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:12 AM
It's always smart to diversify!
First defence, next.... high speed rail???
First defence, next.... high speed rail???
Reposted by Parker
this is also behind a lot of transphobia: a visceral revulsion at the idea of your children shaping their own selves
March 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
this is also behind a lot of transphobia: a visceral revulsion at the idea of your children shaping their own selves
The mask is off… Trump is clearly working for Putin. The question is: is Trump an asset, or are his interests merely aligned?
Trump administration is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, a senior Trump official and three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially putting them on a fast-track to deportation reut.rs/3F3B1cv
Trump to revoke legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians as US steps up deportations
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, a senior Trump official and three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially putting them on a fast-track to deportation.
reut.rs
March 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The mask is off… Trump is clearly working for Putin. The question is: is Trump an asset, or are his interests merely aligned?
Keir Starmer's spineless abandonment of Canada in that press conference has really mobilized me to start advocating for a Canadian Republic and membership in the EU... what use is the Commonwealth if members don't at the very least support each others' existence
February 28, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Keir Starmer's spineless abandonment of Canada in that press conference has really mobilized me to start advocating for a Canadian Republic and membership in the EU... what use is the Commonwealth if members don't at the very least support each others' existence
Reposted by Parker
I hope America is as lucky as the delta jet - everyone survives but the right wing explodes
February 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I hope America is as lucky as the delta jet - everyone survives but the right wing explodes
Reposted by Parker
My @thestar.com column: Toronto’s a ridiculously wealthy city. But why does it seem like so many of the city’s rich are more likely to complain about bike lanes or property taxes than they are to ever write a cheque?
A call for a culture of real philanthropy.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
A call for a culture of real philanthropy.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Toronto has a lot of rich people. But there’s a reason it’s hard to tell
Toronto’s ultra-rich seem more likely to complain about things like property taxes and bike lanes than they are to ever write a cheque for philanthropy.
www.thestar.com
February 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
My @thestar.com column: Toronto’s a ridiculously wealthy city. But why does it seem like so many of the city’s rich are more likely to complain about bike lanes or property taxes than they are to ever write a cheque?
A call for a culture of real philanthropy.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
A call for a culture of real philanthropy.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
no pasarán
Worried about a fascist takeover? This sheet-pan paella will make you feel like you’re in 1930s Spain.
February 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
no pasarán
Reposted by Parker
One long-term thing Canada can do to reaffirm its sovereignty in the face of our bully neighbor and to start decoupling from the US in terms of trade is to stop adapting US technical standards and start using international or EU one (which is often the same thing).
January 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
One long-term thing Canada can do to reaffirm its sovereignty in the face of our bully neighbor and to start decoupling from the US in terms of trade is to stop adapting US technical standards and start using international or EU one (which is often the same thing).
Reposted by Parker
Toronto is making LONG overdue updates to its Avenues Policies to make it easier to build midrises!
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
win.newmode.net
January 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Toronto is making LONG overdue updates to its Avenues Policies to make it easier to build midrises!
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
Toronto should start by improving quality on the King, Queen and Dundas streetcars- increasing speeds by reducing stops, removing on-street parking, and creating priority lanes through central areas. All relatively easy wins.
“Indeed, American transit passenger surveys have found that improving service quality —not lowering fares — is the best way to boost rider welfare & attract those who would otherwise drive. That seems to also be the case in Tallinn, too.”— @davidzipper.bsky.social
www.fastcompany.com/90968891/est...
www.fastcompany.com/90968891/est...
Estonia’s capital made mass transit free a decade ago. Car traffic went up
It's a poignant lesson for U.S. cities that are considering going fare-free.
www.fastcompany.com
January 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Toronto should start by improving quality on the King, Queen and Dundas streetcars- increasing speeds by reducing stops, removing on-street parking, and creating priority lanes through central areas. All relatively easy wins.
Reposted by Parker
planners should be like catholic priests but instead of celibacy they're just not allowed to have a car
Planners should have to design cities from behind a Rawlsian veil of ignorance. That is to say: the planner will have to live in the city they design, but they don't know *where* in the city.
January 4, 2025 at 6:57 AM
planners should be like catholic priests but instead of celibacy they're just not allowed to have a car