What features of neighbourhoods are worth preserving?

Updates: The Global Cities at Risk website is focused upon a topic addressed in this blog post. A July 30, 2013 Atlantic Cities article notes that rising sea levels could submerge substantial parts of 1,700 U.S. Cities. An August 20, 2013 Globe and Mail article highlights the predicted effects of rising sea levels as does […]

Government and Community Services Fair – Feb. 23, 2013 – Cloverdale Mall

This year’s Government and Community Services Fair will take place on Feb. 23, 2013 at Cloverdale Mall. We’ll have a Jane’s Walk table at the Fair this year. The South Long Branch Jane’s Walks that Mike James and Jaan Pill will lead this year will take place, starting at the East Parking Lot at Marie Curtis […]

Mimico 20/20 Infrastructure Analysis report now available

Following message is from Matthew Premru of the City of Toronto Hello to Everyone, I’m pleased to let you know that the Infrastructure Analysis report has been completed and is now available on our homepage. In the meanwhile as work on the Secondary Plan by City Planning staff continues, please stay tuned for the release […]

February 2013 8-80 Cities newsletter now available

February 2013 8-80 Cities newsletter can be accessed here. Here’s an excerpt from the newsletter: The link between kids who walk or bike to school and concentration By Sarah Goodyear In 1969, 50 per cent of kids in the United States walked to school every day. In 2009 that number plummeted down to 13 per […]

Feb. 15, 2013 news update – Councillor Grimes’ Office

Following update is from Councillor Grimes Office: Please find the full newsletter in .pdf attached: February 15, 2013 City of Toronto activities for a fun Family Day on February 18 The City of Toronto encourages residents to enjoy this year’s Family Day on Monday, February 18 by making the most of the City’s recreational activities, […]

Grimes seeks development incentives – Feb. 13, 2013 Etobicoke Guardian article

A Feb. 13, 2013 Etobicoke Guardian article by Tamara Shephard begins with the following headline and opening sentences: Grimes seeks development incentives A letter and motion by Councillor Mark Grimes that Toronto council direct the city’s chief planner to incorporate development incentives into the draft Mimico-By-The-Lake Secondary Plan has shocked some in the community. Etobicoke […]

Next step in designation process for 28 Daisy Avenue will occur on Feb. 26, 2013

Denise Harris, Heritage Officer, Etobicoke Historical Society, has informed us that the Toronto Preservation Board approved the designation of 28 Daisy Avenue at its Feb. 14, 2013 meeting. She was there to depute in favour, plus there were 12 letters of support from the community. “No one was there to object to the designation, including […]

Ministry, city act on noise, dust complaints: Feb. 14, 2013 Tamara Shephard article, Etobicoke Guardian

Opening paragraphs of the article: A Mimico concrete mixing plant that has operated for a decade without Ministry of the Environment approvals is committed to resolving residents’ complaints of noise from a steady convoy of trucks and dust, a company official insists. ML Ready Mix Concrete has operated since its owners purchased the property at […]

Principles of a Jane’s Walk

For the Jane’s Walks that I was involved during May 2012, I figured out the basic principles by speaking with staff at the Jane’s Walk organization. As part of the planning process, I also spoke with Denise Harris, Heritage Officer at the Etobicoke Historical Society, about the principles involved in the organizing of Heritage Walks. […]

Jane’s Walk: How to tell your neighbourhood story

The following text is from the Jane’s Walk website. This quick overview offers a good way to get started in thinking about what a Jane’s Walk entails: Telling a story about a place Leading a tour simply involves planning a route, thinking through the stories, places and people you want to get people thinking and talking […]