Real Insights by Naama Blonder
Naama Blonder
Naama is an architect, urban planner and urban designer. She has a bold vision: to change what good development can and should look like; with that in mind, she co-founded Smart Density.
Urbanity Fair
Time To Take Over NIMBYville: There's A Big YIMBY Gathering In North America, And It's Awesome
YIMBYtown draws a diverse group of voices determined to confront NIMBYs and stand up for their neighbourhoods and future neighbours, and along the way, address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: housing.
Urbanity Fair
Transit-Oriented Cottages: How The Return Of A Train Line Will Prove Transit Can Change Everything
The return of Ontario's Northlander train service means more than just transportation — it represents a small yet significant step toward greater accessibility and affordability.
Urbanity Fair
From A 'Single Track' To A Serious Commitment: Metrolinx's GO Expansion Will Reshape The Region
The GO Expansion is more than just another transit project; it has the potential to transform our region.
Urbanity Fair
Part Of The Solution, Not The Problem: Uber Is Driving Our Public Transit System Forward
Public transit users face a persistent challenge known as the "last mile" — the distance to your final destination that may be a bit too far to walk. Rideshare offerings like Uber and Lyft help fill that gap.
Urbanity Fair
"The Master Plan" Captures Toronto's Ingrained NIMBYism
Earlier this summer, Crow's Theatre presented "The Master Plan" by Michael Healey, in its own original production. The play, which has now concluded its run, was inspired by the book "Sideways: The City Google Couldn't Buy," by Josh O’Kane.
Urbanity Fair
Am I Converted? I Visited Vienna’s Rental Market
Vienna’s innovative social housing model, which has been in place for almost a century, shows how de-commodification of housing can benefit everyone. It's something Toronto can learn from.
Urbanity Fair
Beauty Or Beast: Building Greener But Uglier Cities
The way we are designing today to meet green standards makes me wonder: where are we heading exactly? To greener but uglier cities?
Urbanity Fair
The Birth of a New Mid-Rise: The Tall-Mid-Rise
Unintentionally, under the radar, a new typology of a mid-rise building has emerged in Toronto: the tall-mid-rise.
Urbanity Fair
We Need to Take a Step Back From Angular Planes. Pun Intended.
Angular planes create buildings that are hard to build, cost more, and bring less units to the market compared to a more rectangular building.
Urbanity Fair
If We Want Walkable Transit-Oriented Communities We Need to Scale Down
Transit-oriented communities were supposed to deliver great urban environments that put people first, but that hasn't always been the case.
Urbanity Fair
It’s Happening: Toronto is Working to Become a Car-Free Society
Much has happened since Toronto removed minimum parking developments for new developments. Here are the ways it's becoming car-free.
Toronto
Urbanity Fair
7 Things I Wish Other Cities Could Learn From Toronto
Though sometimes overlooked, Toronto does many things very well. Here are seven things Toronto can teach the world.
Toronto
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