Ontario always was the ‘have-province,’ while Nova Scotia was the ‘have-not.’ Now it looks like if you want to enjoy a charmed life, you might want to consider living in Halifax.
Category Archives: Cities
LRT and Hamilton’s industrial future
In the LRT debate not only the appeal of various technical solutions are at issue but it is also a visioning exercise that involves the psyche of the whole city. What does Hamilton want to become?
Also posted in Design, Hamilton, Pittsburgh, Politics 1 Comment
Update on Colborne St South in Brantford
One of the more distressing events of 2010 was the demolition in Brantford of a heritage streetscape on the south side of Colborne St. What was once a canal-side assemblage of interesting, historic buildings is now a steep gradient covered in dark mulch.
Posted in Cities 5 Comments
The value of automated design requirements testing
In large projects, a large book of requirements is often compiled at the beginning of the design process. This documentation is often brimming with interesting ideas and insights, much like a Victorian novel. However, the problem is that this impressive pile of documentation is usually not referred to as often as it should be later in the design process. The greater the length of this documentation, the harder it is to use. It is extremely easy to forget what you know.
Also posted in Design, Hamilton Leave a comment
Demise of The Pearl Company
What The Pearl Company episode does suggest is that private investment in unfashionable areas of Hamilton is extremely risky even though some of these areas appear to be full of economic potential.
Also posted in Hamilton, Renovation Leave a comment
Machine Shop Paradise in Guelph
As part of Doors Open 2010, Guelph channelled its inner Stuttgart with tours at the Linamar Corporation.
Also posted in Doors Open Leave a comment
My Life as a ‘Doors Open’ Tourist
Doors Open events are all about community. This community focus should also apply to how people get to far-flung sites. A communal approach to transportation would make Doors Open touring more environmentally-friendly and more fun as well.
Also posted in Doors Open 1 Comment
Urban destruction in the heart of Brantford, Ontario
In Brantford, I happened to stumble upon what might be one the most flagrant instances of urban vandalism in the province. I confidently categorize it as vandalism because it doesn’t appear, from what I have read, to make any sense whatsoever. They are taking down something of great value and replacing it with nothing at all.
Posted in Cities 14 Comments
Dogs on Roof, Hamilton
Two dogs get some fresh air and exercise on the roof of a front porch to a modest townhouse in a poor neighbourhood of Hamilton.
Also posted in Hamilton Leave a comment
Pittsburgh and its Golden Triangle
Pittsburgh has an unusual urban configuration in that its central business district–the Golden Triangle–is relatively isolated from the rest of the city. The Triangle is where the two rivers meet to form the mighty Ohio. As we told the boys, this is where in the old days people drifted lazily down the river–Huck Finn style–all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Also posted in Pittsburgh 2 Comments
