Walking and sitting

Two things humans do a lot (besides eating and breathing) are walking and resting, neither of which is encouraged in suburbia. This month, Toronto is having a Walking Festival:

The Toronto Walking Survey conducted in November 2007 showed that 81 per cent of residents walk for recreation or fitness.

But short jaunts of two kilometres or less account for almost one-third of car trips we take.

With so many conveniences along the strip, I know I could walk a bit more.

And Montreal has a lot of benches:

Montreal goes even further and attaches benches to utility poles throughout the downtown core. Again, the message is clear: The street isn't just a way to get from A to B, but a place to be. ... At a time when the move to the city is gaining momentum, even in Canada, it's time to rethink basic attitudes to urbanity. This doesn't necessarily mean hugely expensive programs and grand projects; it can also include humble measures such as the lowly bench.

The only bench I know of along the strip is in the middle of the National Bank centre parking lot. Nice bench and all, but I don't know if anyone would actually sit on it:

Tilting at windmills

An Ottawa man is trying to have city bylaws ammended to allow him to erect a power-generating windmill in his back yard:

About 20 of Findlay's neighbours showed up at the committee meeting Wednesday to express their opposition to the turbine. Some said they support the concept, but have safety concerns.

Kinda sad, isn't it? This isn't just NIMBY, this is NIYBY (Not In Your Backyard)! Many houses in Bells Corners have large yards, so the setback wouldn't be an issue. The 10 m height would still be a problem, though. Windmill man's suggestion is interesting:

"We should take the lead from the Europeans who are installing these not only in backyards, but on street poles, lighting poles, on schools, on fences, on bridges," he said.

Finally, a good use for these hideous structures!

Slow week ahead

I'm out of town for the week, so no new content until next Monday... sorry! In the meantime:

About 40 protesters carrying signs that read "Save the Parkway" showed up Monday night at an open house at the Nepean Sportsplex about possible routes for Ottawa's proposed light rail network.

I wanted to attend this open house, but ran out of time. But wouldn't it be nice if residents could see past their own fears and imagine how great light rail along the parkway would be for the entire city? How about getting protesters together to demand light rail in their neighbourhood? Maybe run the track down the strip? Who's with me????

Design and the City

reburb commentor hibou pointed me to this Citizen column where David Reevely discusses the design of city infrastructure components, such as power poles. There are no shortage of poles and wires along the strip. It's quite jarring to see beautiful facades like The Spa and Al's surrounded by a forrest of creosote poles and guy wires, and bordered by abandoned lots. The Spa especially, since they put a lot of effort into their landscaping. There's also a high voltage right-of-way that bisects the community, under which there are soccer fields and playgrounds in Lynwood and Williams Parks. Since we need electricity, we need power poles. But imagine if they looked like these French poles?

If you fail to plan you plan to fail

So my old swim coach would remind us, and we had no frickin' idea what he was talking about. But in the case of transportation, it's actually true. The City of Ottawa is updating its Transportation Master Plan , and we're invited to contribute . There are two open houses near Bells Corners: OPEN HOUSE – WEST Thursday, September 18 Glen Cairn Community Centre, Upper Hall, 190 Morrena Drive OPEN HOUSE – SOUTH/WEST Monday, September 22 Nepean Sportsplex, Salon A, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue You need to sign up to attend.

Big poles, little signs

Planner A: Hey, I have a bunch of two-way lane signs I need to put up in Bells Corners. Planner B: Why? Planner A: Well, even though the centre lane is well marked, and painted with two-way signs, we have to consider the drivers who can't see the road. Planner B? What? Who would that be? Planner A: You know, the blind, children, small dogs, anyone who can't see over the dashboard. Planner B: Riiiight. [Sarcastically] I've got a bunch of giant old metal light posts you could use. You know, put one one either side of the road, and connect them in a grotesque arch with two more poles welded together. Planner A: Fantastic! Planner B: I was just kidding... Planner A: They'll blend in nicely with the rest of the poles, lightstands and wires I've put up!