The desired waterfront
that I will be researching will be the revitalization of the Toronto Waterfront.
Why did you choose this city?
I decided to choose this city because they have develop different projects in order to revitalize their waterfront and create a transformation of the former industrial area into a much greener space along the lake Ontario.
What was the waterfront used from in history?
Like many important cities in the world Toronto is located besides a major body of water in Ontario, Canada.
1700s the French built a small trading post on the lake Ontario shoreline leading to an important expansion of the city for trades and settlement.
1800s during this time the city already gain an importance in history and many of the trades were made by boat, having manufacturer facilities along the waterfront. Factories allowed supplies to be access easily to the boats. However during mid 1800s the lack of land space along the waterfront limited the growth of the shipping and industrial commerce, leading to a campaign to land fill the lake and extend the shore.
1900s After Second World War, Toronto's relationship changed with the waterfront hence the fact that most industry was concentrated on the waterfront becoming an undesirable place to live. This was a big impact leading to people to move away from the lake into more suburb areas, however many of the jobs were located in this industrial area therefore many roads and highways were created for transportation.
1970s this was an important year sort of an Urban Revolution because many of the cities adjacent to water bodies decided to start discovering their waterfronts and redeveloping their area in order to attract people, create jobs and provide an increase in tourism. This event resulted in Toronto joining this movement and to redevelop their waterfront.
What caused the waterfront to change?
One of the main reasons that influence the decision of revitalizing the waterfront was the upcoming Urban architecture in different parts of the world. This was the transition of industrial to more green spaces for public use. Another reason was that Toronto wanted to be host for the summer Olympics of 2008 and this force to a development business plan and open a competition for revitalizing the waterfront, unfortunately Toronto lost their opportunity to host this event but the plan of revitalizing the area never stopped.
What are the new uses?
People in charge of the revitalization of the waterfront wanted to create a link between waterfront destinations. Provide different public spaces to be used in different seasons, as well to create a consistent and legible image of the waterfront in order to be architecturally functional and sustainable. Lastly they wanted to make a connection between the vitality of the city and the lake.
An important space that really connects this ideas is Sherbourne Common.
What are the transportation systems and the access to the waterfront?
This waterfront has a wide variety of transportation becoming easily accessible depending on the type of transportation you will choose. You can walk and enjoy downtown Toronto as well as take you bicycle and enjoy the scenery the waterfront provides. We also have car access with the Gardiner expressway really close by this area. We have different rail stations and buses moving along the city to connect the people working in this area. Lastly we have the Billy Bishop Toronto city airport really close, giving this waterfront a lot of potential.
Is there boat or water access?
Yes there is water access to this area, we have the ferry that connects the city with the airport island as well as Marina Quay West and different decks along the shore to provide mooring for your boat.
How does the waterfront attract people?
This waterfront offers intelligent ways to attract people. We can find paths to walk along the shore as well as places to rest and enjoy Lake Ontario. We also find the park Sherbourne Common which is really important to the revitalization of the waterfront. This park offers easy access to the public transportation and storage for bicycles and other alternative means of transportation. We also have the pavilion and a water channel with three sculptures that integrates a storm water design to be released from the sculptures and supply the channel.
What are the amenities?
What type of retail/ commercial/ residential spaces are at the waterfront?
There is a huge variety of stores in this area. We have places from restaurants, bars, retail stores, electronics and public spaces for gathering.
What type of public spaces are there?
The public spaces that Sherbourne Common has to offer go from seating and resting areas to places that provide activities like the skating ring. This park features a skating rink for the winter and a splash pad in the summer offering residents and tourists a destination to visit all year round.
Who uses these spaces?
These spaces are used by people that live in the area as well as a big mass of tourists arriving to this city. We have plenty of kids coming to this area for the attractions and safety that the park offers.
What is successful about this waterfront development?
In my opinion Sherbourne Common is a success in being the pioneer for the revitalization of the Toronto Waterfront, because it offers a connection of the city to the lake and it welcomes kids and adults to this space.
What is not successful about this waterfront?
This park has accomplished an harmonious project however the only thing i would add to make it perfect would be small shelter areas for hot summer days and rainy days.
