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This people place is not square

PETER SCOWEN

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:18 AM EST 22/12/07

Toronto's most commercial intersection is beautiful mess of humanity ...Read the full article

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  1. Andrew Watt from Ireland writes: Ok, how many more tricks does Dr. Florida have left up his sleeve before readers cop on that this guy is being paid to prop up Toronto's ego? Do we really need a 'doctor' to tell us how fascinating it is that not only are there people shopping in Eaton Centre, but having coffee too? Is this supposed to be a uniquely Toronto phenomenon? Or that there are a lot of people in Eaton Centre before Christmas? I believe 'polyglot' was the word we got from the good doctor to describe this observation. These articles are really beginning to hurt, Richard. A little more analysis please, if we are expected to keep reading...
  2. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Andrew Watt - Florida's articles are about Toronto, afterall. It's a fascinating place, chaotic, uneven and marvellous. If you're not interested, just skip over the articles.
  3. Andrew Watt from Ireland writes: Frank Godfrey - Yes, I am aware these articles are about Toronto. And it is a very interesting place in a pupus stage that nobody can predict the look of twenty years from now. I was hoping to get some real substance out of this column and instead we get drivel about Eaton Centre, one of the least fascinating, chaotic, uneven and marvellous places in Toronto. More insight please, Dr. Florida...
  4. Kevin Desmoulin from Toronto, Canada writes: I believe this is article about Dundas square, I think it is good we have an outsider to look things that we are used to and perhaps a little jaded.
    I remember what was there before Dundas Square, Only thing I do miss was a Little Jamaican eatery that had good cheap food.

    At the least We something else to go to and space to stand instead of shutting down a street so we have room to watch a band like Red Hot Chili Peppers when they reformed some years ago. The only othe public square I can think of DT is Nathan Phillips At City Hall

    Time for change I say and it is good, Although I think the new Building at NE corner looks like Crap. Like a ugly monotone, Grey and boring.

    I do miss some old things about Yonge Street and that is the arcades. Just part of my youth I guess.
  5. Randal Oulton from Canada writes: >> ts development model has changed so fundamentally in the past 20 years from a city that was mainly low-rise, for better or worse was sleepy, that was mainly an Anglo city,

    Toronto was low-rise in the 1980s? Toronto was mainly an Anglo city in the 1980s? Um, no, actually.
  6. David Siegel from Canada writes: I grew up in Toronto. I still feel that it is a great city.e However, it is very much like American cities. Ultimately, the challenge appears to be how can Toronto maintain a Canadian feel in the presence of American consumerism. I have lived in the U.S. and now as a dual citizen I feel that Toronto is a mosaic, which American cities are striving for. Dr. Florida's article addressed the challenges of Yonge-Dundas Square well.
  7. Cyrus Of Persia from Canada writes: Randal Oulton, I agree with you.
  8. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Toronto as a sleepy Anglo city until very recently is a Canadian myth.
  9. Chris E. from vancouver, Canada writes: If it wasn't a 'sleepy anglo city' until recently, then what was it? Is it the sleepy part or the anglo part that is objectionable? What was the Canadian myth? How far back is 'recently'?
  10. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: A 'polyglot' speaks multiple languages, usually not at the same time. Perhaps the 'doctor' means multilingual.

    The Eaton centre, like most malls around the world, are modelled on a concept by an Austrian architect.

    I detest pin head deluxes (PHDs) who insist on calling themselves 'doctor.' Pretentious.
  11. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Chris E. - stereotyping a city like Toronto is so easy, and lazy.
  12. mike r from Southern Ontario, Canada writes: They're not done Dunda Square yet - as Kevin D brought up mention of the "grey building" that will eventually be covered in billboard and video screen advertising as per plans I saw before. My issue with Dundas Square though (I walk thru it daily) is that they're going TOO much like Time Square, like they're trying a little too hard and not putting much of a Canadian spin on the area. The stage and concerts, Just for Laughs, etc they've held there is very cool and a nice added touch, but with all the ads, once again just reeks of trying to be too much like NYC in that one area. Just my opinion....
  13. Alan F. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Dundas Square has th epotential to be a nice people place in the middle of the city. However, all the advertising signs flashing ev erywhere are visual pollution and make the place unbareable to most. for that reason it fails as a clam oasis for people in the city. Shame on you, Toronto!
  14. Andrew Watt from Ireland writes: mike r - I agree, Dundas tries too hard to be Times Square. The most insightful line in this article was the last one, where Florida mentions the changing balance of mixed use areas downtown and commercialism. Unfortunately he just asks the question, doesn't answer it, and Scowen only adds it in at the end of the piece after spending most of the page indulging in Florida's cult of personality. Weak writing.
  15. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Andrew f. - the Dundas Square area of the city is a pretty " electric " place in the first place, so I don't think your point about it failing " as a calm oasis for people in the city " is well taken. As for others who say the city is trying too hard to be Times Square, Toronto is doing just fine being itself, thank you.

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