12-03-2020, 07:53 PM
(12-03-2020, 05:53 PM)dtkvictim Wrote: A counterargument I expect here is that our issues as a mid-sized city stem from sprawl and a lack of density. This brings me to my second issue with this sentiment: Why highrises, instead of midrises? I'm sure someone with urban planning expertise will tell me what this is called and why I'm wrong, but I've often seen it suggested that people are most comfortable in streets with a street width to building height ratio of 1:1 to 2:1. Personally, I feel this rings true. When I walk through highrise districts of Toronto, it never feels like a comfortable place to be. It's not warm and welcoming. It's not a neighbourhood.
I guess it's as panamaniac said about lineage of this particular site. The bigger towers certainly have more presence but may be a net lose compared to more mid-rise in general. Paris is interesting with no towers in the center but then some in the periphery, I think. Wellington is trying to move to requiring new construction in the center be mid-rise.