One Millionth Tower

[WaterlooNative]

Interesting doc. I note that all of their solutions involve repurposing private open space (green space or parking lots) to draw people out of their towers and into the community. This will work for the existing stock of "tower in the park" buildings. How will this work in 20-30 years for the "build right to the sidewalk" towers that Waterloo Region is currently getting? How will the building on Weber across the courthouse engage the community? 144 Park includes a trail wedged between a parking garage and (what appears to be) a blank wall. Is there space for a market, a plaza or any kind of space for people to be creative?

[bcwessel]

Interesting doc. I note that all of their solutions involve repurposing private open space (green space or parking lots) to draw people out of their towers and into the community. This will work for the existing stock of "tower in the park" buildings. How will this work in 20-30 years for the "build right to the sidewalk" towers that Waterloo Region is currently getting? How will the building on Weber across the courthouse engage the community? 144 Park includes a trail wedged between a parking garage and (what appears to be) a blank wall. Is there space for a market, a plaza or any kind of space for people to be creative?

The very simple answer is that the buildings and areas to which you are referring are located in town, and the buildings which are the focus of the documentary are not. Towns have formal open spaces, parks and other green spaces, sidewalks and roads designed both to be moved along and rested/congregated upon, cafes, restaurants, libraries and other universally accessible civic structures and amenities, and on. The reason that the towers in this documentary require so much attention, and indeed a completely radical and untested kind of rehabilitation is because they constitute a grand (failed) experiment in housing. Attempts to make them more town-like admit as much. Attempts to make town more town-like are redundant. Making town better is certainly a worthwhile project, but one which requires a stronger re-engagement with the past, than a bold re-imagining of the town typology itself.

[WaterlooNative]

The very simple answer is that the buildings and areas to which you are referring are located in town, ... Making town better is certainly a worthwhile project, but one which requires a stronger re-engagement with the past, than a bold re-imagining of the town typology itself.

Any hope of encouraging landowners, developers and politicians to embrace creating new civic (or pseudo-civic) spaces?

[bcwessel]

Any hope of encouraging landowners, developers and politicians to embrace creating new civic (or pseudo-civic) spaces?

The new Regional Courthouse comes complete with its own public square. (It's not actually a square in the formal sense, but it at least purports to perform the same function.) The rehabilitation and commitment to future development of Victoria Park is another indication that politicians, at least, are mindful of the important role that shared civic amenities play in creating an attractive and vibrant city. The new square in Waterloo is another. The central courtyard at the Balsillie Campus another. To a lesser extent, the Bauer development offers a tentative first step by developers in recognizing the benefit of a quality public realm. I'm sure there are many more.

[bcwessel]

I believe the Central Library redevelopment includes the creation of a courtyard. The long-term redevelopment of the Civic District also includes a green/square connecting the Library and Centre In The Square.