Richard Florida (Rise of the Creative Class) Moving to Toronto

[ganjavih]

And yet everywhere we go we are met by Torontonians who either seem mystified that we would move to what they imply is a second-rate city, or seem to be seeking some kind of validation in our answer.

Toronto is one of my favourite cities in North America, and I still enjoy being a tourist when I visit. However, despite all the features of a great city Toronto has, I totally understand why Torontonians don't fully appreciate their town. It just doesn't feel or look like a great city. It doesn't have the grand boulevards and monuments people expect from a great city. You don't get the sense of grandiosity or importance when you walk the streets of Toronto. There's no romance... it feels very utilitarian. We need a little more pride for our buildings, streets and public places so that Torontonians can feel that pride too.

 

[Urban Shocker]

We have plenty of monuments - to corporate wealth ( downtown office towers ), to culture ( ROM, AGO, opera /ballet house, theatres, sports stadiums etc. ), to institutions of learning and government ( campus buildings, city halls, a legislature ), to our domestic past ( all those sedate old bay and gables, all those old neo-Gothic churches, our neighbourhoods ), to our occasionally very good use of the public realm ( parks with pools and rinks, sculptures - new and old - scattered all over town, urban squares ). Perhaps some of these aren't world class enough for everyone, but I've never thought of grandiosity as something most Torontonians hanker for, quite frankly. We're fairly low key, but a major creative and economic force nonetheless.

 

[TonyV]

Florida’s article was welcome and so timely for me.

For the past 35 days I have had the pleasure of escorting a visitor around Toronto. My guest was totally unprepared for the changes she saw here, not having been through for about 15 years. To say she was extremely impressed would be an understatement.

Some people just live to pick things apart. Try a good walk, or streetcar tour (or auto tours if that is your choice of how to see Toronto) -- and do it in autumn, for heaven's sake. That is when this city comes alive with arts and pleasures. My own preference is to be a pedestrian; it’s the only real way to take in the city and what it has to offer.

I have looked at Toronto with new eyes during this past month and for the first time in my life I've been able to say "it's magnificent". About those parts and pieces that some like to pick on ... College Park, TLS in the making .. well start looking at the City in a different light now; something excellent is happening. I feel that at long last the City is finaly being emboldened. The personality that was always just sort of lurking there is finally coming to the fore.

Just some examples: The new ads at Yonge-Dundas Square will be at their best when reflected in the wet pavement of the square, around the fountains, at night (we caught a hint of that on Friday night). I was glad to see someone photographed that. The prospect of some nicely placed new skyscrapers that aren't merely up-ended boxes, well, that's another good thing to come, as is the remake of Nathan Phillips Square. Add to that the work being done on the waterfront and you've got a fabulous city in the making.

Take the time now to get out into Toronto, go to concerts and clubs, walk out late at night, do things you can't do elsewhere, and smile while you're doing it. Yes, some buildings are disappointments but the overall effect of Toronto is quite energizing and stimulating, to say the least -- and in the future, you will be able to add the word "tantalizing". (Frankly, doesn't London, England have some disappointing buildings? And New Yorkers have a list of buildings they "love to hate" -- some have Lincoln Center and the PanAm building are on that list).

Lastly, the "artistic renaisance" they're talking about in Toronto is actually already at work. But it's not in the buildings, and it's not in the individual parts and pieces, it is in the synergy, yes, believe it or not the sum is greater than the parts.

 

[poppajojo]

and there you go, proof that there are many optimists out there for Toronto. I love Toronto for its diversity and acceptance, and hope it will stay that way... but aesthetics needs big improvements and hopefully improvements will come.

 

[syn]

Toronto is one of my favourite cities in North America, and I still enjoy being a tourist when I visit. However, despite all the features of a great city Toronto has, I totally understand why Torontonians don't fully appreciate their town. It just doesn't feel or look like a great city. It doesn't have the grand boulevards and monuments people expect from a great city. You don't get the sense of grandiosity or importance when you walk the streets of Toronto. There's no romance... it feels very utilitarian. We need a little more pride for our buildings, streets and public places so that Torontonians can feel that pride too.

I know what you're saying, but Torontonians can be far too anal when it comes to their city. A lot of them really can't appreciate what they have. Is it perfect? No...but where is? It's sometimes surprising that people are so down on the place. It's as though because it isn't Paris, London, NYC, etc. it just isn't exciting.

I agree that better streetscaping, etc. would benefit...but people have to want that. With the shortage of cash, that isn't high on the list of people's priorities. I think people need to start appreciating what they have before real change can take place.

 

[poppajojo]

I know what you're saying, but Torontonians can be far too anal when it comes to their city. A lot of them really can't appreciate what they have. Is it perfect? No...but where is? It's sometimes surprising that people are so down on the place. It's as though because it isn't Paris, London, NYC, etc. it just isn't exciting.

I agree that better streetscaping, etc. would benefit...but people have to want that. With the shortage of cash, that isn't high on the list of people's priorities. I think people need to start appreciating what they have before real change can take place.

First of all.. what are we basing our opinion that Torontonians are too pessimistic of their own city? From a chance meeting with a few Torontonians being perplexed as to why you actually moved here? Or is it maybe our own self-consciousness in comparison to larger cities, or the opinions of outsiders of Toronto effecting our own opinions? Is it true that Parisians, Londoners and New Yorkers are all infatuated with their own city?

Please, please can we base our opinion on empirical data rather than generalizations. If we truly want to know how real Torontonians feel about their own city, we can easily make a poll on this forum and see the real results. Maybe it won't be in such a landslide of negativity. Someone can make a poll such as how do you see Toronto on a scale of one to five in comparison to other large urban cities of the world? or maybe something along those lines.

 

[syn]

First of all.. what are we basing our opinion that Torontonians are too pessimistic of their own city? From a chance meeting with a few Torontonians being perplexed as to why you actually moved here? Or is it maybe our own self-consciousness in comparison to larger cities, or the opinions of outsiders of Toronto effecting our own opinions? Is it true that Parisians, Londoners and New Yorkers are all infatuated with their own city?

Please, please can we base our opinion on empirical data rather than generalizations. If we truly want to know how real Torontonians feel about their own city, we can easily make a poll on this forum and see the real results. Maybe it won't be in such a landslide of negativity. Someone can make a poll such as how do you see Toronto on a scale of one to five in comparison to other large urban cities of the world? or maybe something along those lines.

How would a poll on this forum be any more accurate than a lifetime of experience? It should wouldn't be as many people. If you had a large study that would be one thing...but I don't think a poll on this forum is very accurate either.

I didnt say everyone is down on the city...but I've found that to be the case quite often. Quite similar to what Florida wrote in his article.

 

[poppajojo]

How would a poll on this forum be any more accurate than a lifetime of experience? It should wouldn't be as many people. If you had a large study that would be one thing...but I don't think a poll on this forum is very accurate either.

I didnt say everyone is down on the city...but I've found that to be the case quite often. Quite similar to what Florida wrote in his article.

Of course it would be a small poll, but this is much better than nothing or based on a few choice encounters. It has the exact demographic we're looking for... people educated about Toronto. At least now we can see a small cut of people's overall feelings on Toronto.

Here's the poll folks: http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=7209

 

[syn]

Of course it would be a small poll, but this is much better than nothing or based on a few choice encounters.

It isn't just a few choice encounters though.

It has the exact demographic we're looking for... people educated about Toronto. At least now we can see a small cut of people's overall feelings on Toronto.

Here's the poll folks: http://urbantoronto.ca/showthread.php?t=7209

Well, it has the exact demographic you're looking for. We're talking about the general public...I don't think this forum quite reflects that as far as education on urban issues, etc. is concerned.

 

[poppajojo]

It isn't just a few choice encounters though.



Well, it has the exact demographic you're looking for. We're talking about the general public...I don't think this forum quite reflects that as far as education on urban issues, etc. is concerned.

The general public doesn't dwell on these issues. They don't care, the only people that are interested in this type of thing are the type of people who discuss it here.

 

[syn]

The general public doesn't dwell on these issues. They don't care, the only people that are interested in this type of thing are the type of people who discuss it here.

That's the whole point.

 

[poppajojo]

That's the whole point.

But if they put no energy into an opinion of Toronto's development than their opinion has no worth, therefore their answer on a meaningful poll would be worthless. It's like making a poll on your favourite type of ice cream, but the people answering don't care to eat ice cream.

 

[syn]

But if they put no energy into an opinion of Toronto's development than their opinion has no worth, therefore their answer on a meaningful poll would be worthless. It's like making a poll on your favourite type of ice cream, but the people answering don't care to eat ice cream.

The whole thing your arguing is that people who are down on the city, as mentioned in the article, aren't commonplace The point is, it's not too difficult to find this sentiment in the city.

 

[poppajojo]

The whole thing your arguing is that people who are down on the city, as mentioned in the article, aren't commonplace The point is, it's not too difficult to find this sentiment in the city.

No I agree with that... I'm saying it's balanced like any other city. We're not more pessimistic or more optimistic than other cities.

 

[syn]

No I agree with that... I'm saying it's balanced like any other city. We're not more pessimistic or more optimistic than other cities.

I'd probably agree with that. I didn't say that everyone is pessimistic...but that element is certainly there in exactly the way it was described in the article.