^^ Unfortunately some people think every single part of Toronto needs to be a loud, retail-oriented consumption district.
This area could, however, use a little more mixed-use. But I feel like most UTers would turn this area into something that I have no desire to see there.
Yes, every single district in the core should have retail, services, parks, culture, art, and all the other great things that make urban life, urban. People should not be forced to have to own cars, they should have all the basics, like a variety store, bank and restaurants, close by. Most importantly, every single district, should be animated and give something back to the city. I don't want dead zones in downtown Toronto. I want neighbourhoods that are interesting, animated, lively, feel safe and that contribute to making this city a great place to live.
All my favorite cities are like that. (London, Paris, NYC, Hong Kong, Bangkok) There are few dead zones in the central core of any of those cities. That's what makes them so interesting to explore. You can walk for miles in the central core of Paris and you'll always be near stores, cafes, restaurants, people and all kinds of fascinating things. I'm not saying Toronto should or could be like any of those cities. I'm just saying the urban planning principles of those cities, are the ones that work for me and that's the direction I want DOWNTOWN Toronto to go. Building whole districts with only residential and nothing for anyone else, is selfish and just really bad planning. It's also bad for the environment. Aren't we supposed to be encouraging people to get rid of their cars, once they move into the core? Sheesh, I thought that was a given.
Having retail, helps the city in many different ways but most importantly, it puts eyes on the streets and makes a street feel much safer. I know women who will not walk on quiet streets at night. They stick to the main streets that are most animated because that's where the people are. People = perceived safety. I remember walking once in NYC and having a panic attack when I realized I was all alone on a quiet street. I looked all around for a street with stores and people because I did not feel safe at all. The same thing happened while walking around Chicago and some guy approached me for money, in a very threatening way. Nobody was around and I was scared shitless.
Anyway, that's just my opinion. I want a 24/7 thriving city and I think we are quickly headed that way. I just want to encourage that.
