From Parksify – Waterfronts Are for People

Cities should improve access to waterfronts and design them to be more engaging.  In her 1958 article Downtown is for People, Jane Jacobs wrote that “Waterfronts are a great asset, but few cities are doing anything with them.” Nearly six decades later, little has changed in the way cities implement waterfronts into the design of their public spaces. 

 Read more: Waterfronts Are for People – Parksify

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From Project for Public Spaces — 9 Steps to Creating a Great Waterfront -

1. Look First at the Public Space In planning a waterfront development, city officials or a developer should begin by envisioning a network of well-connected, multi-use public spaces that fit with the community’s shared goals. By orienting waterfront revitalization around public spaces, new construction will enhance the quality of existing destinations and result in a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.  While streets may be appropriate on some waterfronts, pedestrian connections should be given top priority, making large parking lots and auto-oriented development out of the question. Read more: 9 Steps to Creating a Great Waterfront - Project for Public Spaces

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From Project for Public Spaces — Detroit's Eastern Market Great Public Spaces nominee

Eastern Market is a pedestrian oasis in the middle of a still largely car-focused (but rapidly changing) city. With over 150 vendors in the central market sheds and many other market-related businesses in the surrounding area, Eastern Market has a great variety of places where visitors can find meat, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, jams, honey, apple cider, cheeses, spices, herbs, plants, flowers, and much more. While the wholesale market dominates most of the week, there is also a retail farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays and a street market on Sundays. Outside this core, the district also features housing, art space, restaurants, galleries, and other businesses that draw diverse visitors to the area every day of the week. The market is a great source of civic pride for Detroit. Read more: Detroit Eastern Market - Great Public Spaces

From Winnipeg Free Press —From parking lot to urban paradise

It is rare for a city to be given an opportunity to build a brand new neighbourhood in the heart of its downtown. When it happens, it is usually the result of an industry that was once the economic engine relocating out of the modern core.

In Toronto, the railway lands along Lake Ontario have seen a multibillion-dollar transformation into a forest of highrises, altering the city's postcard skyline image into something resembling lower Manhattan. False Creek was once the industrial heart of Vancouver, but today it is home to 60,000 people living in a signature West Coast condo tower neighbourhood.

When the rail yards at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers were closed 30 years ago, Winnipeg was given that same opportunity -- but went in a different direction... Read more: From parking lot to urban paradise - Winnipeg Free Press

From @andrewtrevjones — An idea for #Nanaimo vacant former hotel site

Vancouver creating a pop-up park on city owned land http://t.co/bUFRfd0qrK pic.twitter.com/lyfUfA73i4

— Andrew Jones (@andrewtrevjones) August 18, 2015

An idea for vacant, former hotel site @cityofnanaimo @Bill_McKay11 @diane_brennan @NanaimoCommons https://t.co/MIjEaaorw9

— Andrew Jones (@andrewtrevjones) August 18, 2015

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Sidewalks are a social space... oh, and they can also be used for walking

#Sidewalks are a social space, and a place for commerce. Oh, and they can also be used for #walking. #UrbanDesign pic.twitter.com/DskgjB58rq

— AntonioGomez-Palacio (@aurbanist) July 25, 2015

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Infographic: City parks around the world @thiscitylifeyvr @Builtvisible

Infographic: City parks around the world @thiscitylifeyvr @Builtvisible

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Wednesday, July 8, 2015

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Toronto’s New Waterfront Street — Queens Quay Open After Three Years of Revitalization Work

After three years of construction, Toronto’s revitalized waterfront boulevard is open – on schedule, and in time for the Redpath Waterfront Festival and the upcoming Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

Once a street that featured poor design, insufficient room for pedestrians, and ageing infrastructure, Queens Quay has been transformed into a beautiful boulevard that includes a separated TTC right-of-way, a new section of the Martin Goodman Trail that connects the Trail across the downtown waterfront, and an enlarged pedestrian promenade that reflects the central waterfront’s importance as the second most-visited area of the city. Under the street, key infrastructure has been replaced or upgraded, including power, gas, water, sewage and telecommunications systems.

Area: Central Waterfront  Topic: design excellence,  parks & public spaces, queens quay,  reconnect to the water,  sustainable development

Read more: Toronto’s New Waterfront Street - Queens Quay Opens on Time After Three Years of Revitalization Work / Waterfront Toronto

Where's Senior Gov's help in #Nanaimo?—Canada, Ontario + City created WaterfrontToronto to oversee waterfront renewal http://t.co/dIwNaiO2xl

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) June 30, 2015

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10 good reasons for cities to invest in parks

RT @Penalosa_G Do you want 10 GOOD reasons for #Cities to invest in #Parks? Parks that helped revive Cities http://t.co/Uk7JfCADTl …

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) April 11, 2015

More at: 10Best: Parks that have helped revive their cities

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Nanaimo Downtown Urban Plan and Design Guidelines: Parks and open spaces

#Nanaimo Downtown Urban Plan and Design Guidelines: Parks and open spaces. https://t.co/aMJTzNmzgw @andrewtrevjones @katemac22 @Rearrang3d

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) May 31, 2015

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HT @nlamontagne — Quebec City, Saskatoon looking good — New protected bike lanes, public plaza

Protected bike lanes are set to open in downtown Saskatoon next month. #yxe #yxebike http://t.co/1Pn6NhLu1n #yxe pic.twitter.com/L2a672rrLU

— CTV Saskatoon (@ctvsaskatoon) May 28, 2015

Light, quick, cheap! Quebec City will built its first interim public plaza in 2 weeks! #tacticalurbanism pic.twitter.com/ZN7VKQNNJI

— Louis Bernier-Heroux (@lberoux) May 29, 2015

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Canadian Institute of Planners — 5th annual Great Places in Canada contest

2013 Great Public Space winner - Saint John NB City Market CNW Group/Canadian Institute of Planners

2015 edition of Great Places in Canada and all features on the greatplacesincanada.ca website have now been activated! Nominations from people across the country will be posted online as they compete for the title of Great Street, Great Neighbourhood and Great Public Space for 2015. The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), created this contest to engage Canadians in sharing their favourite places and to recognize the work accomplished by Professional Planners to make these places possible. Read ore: Canadian Institute of Planners | Great Places in Canada 2015 Kicks Off Today!

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What drives design in your community?

Let's work together so the design of the public realm triumphs over fear-based & misinformed excuses for aiming low. pic.twitter.com/w1ofU3Aq90

— Ian Lockwood PE (@IanLockwoodPE) September 21, 2014

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Wondering what makes for great people places? The Power of 10+ explained

Wondering what makes for great people places? The Power of 10+ explained via @PPS_Placemaking http://t.co/uZ0xEGUam2 pic.twitter.com/jiKbawmQHK

— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) May 9, 2015

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How landscape architecture is changing the face of the city. @globeandmail

How landscape architecture is changing the face of the city. @globeandmail

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Thursday, May 7, 2015

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PWL Partnership Landscape Architects retained by both proponent and ‪Nanaimo‬ Parks to work on Georgia Park redesign

Vancouver @pwlpartnership Landscape Architects retained by both proponent and #Nanaimo Parks to work on Georgia Park redesign. http://www.pwlpartnership.com/our-portfolio/parks-plazas

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Tuesday, May 5, 2015

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From @Park_People — Making Connections: Planning parks & open space networks in urban neighbourhoods

Our report | Making Connections: Planning parks & open space networks in urban neighbourhoods http://t.co/Qzg42ay1Tn pic.twitter.com/wkKOTkwkHC

— Park People (@Park_People) April 22, 2015

8 Guiding Principles for parks and public realm planning from @Park_People, an excellent, timely input into #TOcore pic.twitter.com/1jFEKJ2DMk

— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) May 1, 2015

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How urban designer Ken Greenberg's neighbourhood made succesful transition from industrial to mixed use

More at @CBCToronto Toronto 2025: How to grow, with minimal growing pains

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Check out the video - Revitalization plan for former Guvernment site revealed in Toronto : http://t.co/BWlmpozSSA via @CityNews

— Ken Greenberg (@KGreenbergTO) March 26, 2015

Via @KGreenbergTO Revitalization plan for former Guvernment site revealed in Toronto @CityNews

Posted by Nanaimo Commons on Thursday, March 26, 2015

From @Livability — 2014 10 Best Downtowns #8: Bellingham, Washington

Since 1988, Bellingham, Wash., city and community leaders have followed a plan to improve their small yet vibrant downtown. Sure, that plan has changed from time to time, getting an update here and there, and while new construction projects and even revitalization plans are still in the works, the results speak for themselves. More than 1,000 new residences were constructed downtown, renovated storefronts and redesigned streets enhanced the visual appeal, and businesses have created more jobs. 

Local business owners make up the majority of Bellingham's economy, which keeps money in the pockets of residents who reinvest in their community by supporting other local businesses.

This city by the bay has become a model for urban sustainability, and the downtown area highlights how a local living economy can work. 

The "buy local" movement is strongly supported, and some residents even barter with others for food, services and building supplies. 

A population of nearly 2,400 residents and about 7,500 employees in the downtown area enjoy a highly walkable community with easy access to grocery stores, parks, restaurants and entertainment venues. Depot Market, a central gathering point in the downtown area, hosts the Bellingham Farmers Market, one of the largest farmers markets in Washington, plus many other events throughout the year.

Bellingham holds the second highest ratio of arts-related businesses to residents in the country, and it shows. Functional works of art like benches, street lights, trash cans and bicycle racks add a touch of whimsy across downtown. Whatcom Creek creates a natural boundary around the Cultural Arts District, which includes the beautifully restored Mt. Baker Theatre as well as Whatcom Museum and Pickford Film Center. Events like summer concerts, food festivals and parades draw thousands of people to this area. Downtown Bellingham is dotted with green parks, yet one of the largest green spaces, Sehome Hill Arboretum, is located less than a mile south of the Arts District, near Western Washington University. Read more: Bellingham, Washington | 2014 10 Best Downtowns

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Ranking Criteria • Vacancy rate • Population increase since 2010 • Percentage of new homeowners • Daytime population • Projected median household income • Walk Score • Entertainment options • Arts/Cultural attractions

Prosperity means #place. "They don't always need to be pretty, they just need to be human!"

"They (#Places) don't always need to be pretty, they just need to be human!" http://t.co/xYhIboZ4yV #Placemaking #Urbanism

— Nidhi Gulati (@gulatinidhi) April 23, 2014

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