Dealing with illegal tagging on an enforcement basis only doesn't work. Canadian communities and property owners are trying instead to engage the graffiti community
Open this photo in gallery: Phillip Carter, principal at Phillip Carter Architect on Queen Street West in Toronto, was heartbroken to find graffiti defacing a wall of the heritage building that houses his office. But he’s philosophical. ‘Police have better things to do than catch guys on roofs with spray cans.’ Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: Mr. Carter, however, is turning to alternative methods to combat tagging. He plans to join a city-wide initiative to make his wall an authorized mural site. As part of the StreetARToronto (StART) program, several street locations have been designated as official mural sites. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: Here, at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Gerrard Street, a grey wall now bears a mural of children playing. Legal murals, says Constable Scott Mills, who has been heavily involved in graffiti-management programs such as StART, tend to discourage further illegal tagging. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: A whole block of buildings in Toronto's Little India on Gerrard Street now sports colourful murals after being designated a mural site. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: Better communication among graffiti artists, residents and the business community is bringing a professional attitude to street art. Some optimists even predict it could lead to graffiti tourism. Other business improvement areas are working to turn alleyways into virtual art galleries. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: Recently, property developer Urbancorp launched an initiative to transform a railway soundproofing wall in Toronto’s west end that had been repeatedly tagged. It has now become a giant legal mural seen by thousands of commuters each day as they ride the rails downtown. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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Open this photo in gallery: ‘I strongly recommend that owners work with artists,’ says Urbancorp vice-president David Mandell. Corporate donors supplied scaffolding and artists received a small stipend. The move paid off – the wall has been a hit with the Queen West Queen neighbourhood. ‘You may not want a mural on your building, you may like your brick and architectural features, but you may not have a choice in this type of urban environment,’ Mr. Mandell adds. Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
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