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
5 Housing and Urban Initiatives From 2024 To Watch For In 2025
The key policies introduced this year — ranging from new zoning laws to federal housing initiatives — show promise in addressing Toronto's housing crisis and improving its transit options.
Urbanity Fair
My Condolences, Toronto: Your Downtown is Dead
Downtown Toronto is becoming less vibrant, less livable, and less economically significant. And Toronto, the city that prides itself on being world-class, can’t afford that.
Urbanity Fair
I Watched ‘Ada - My Mother The Architect,’ As A Mother And An Architect
Ada’s story is a powerful reminder of the compromises women once made for recognition in architecture, and also leaves us with questions about how we balance our dedication to architecture with the evolving expectations of family and self.
Urbanity Fair
Digging In The Wrong Direction: How Ford’s 55 km Tunnel Misses The Mark For Ontario’s Future
Premier Doug Ford's proposal to build a 55 km-long underground highway tunnel raises serious concerns about the future of transportation and urban planning in Ontario, according to Urban Planner Naama Blonder.
Urbanity Fair
Unlike Europe, Toronto Won't Flourish With Mid-Rise Buildings (And That's Okay)
To move forward, we need to embrace and celebrate Toronto’s reality and unique urbanization path, and focus on learning a more fundamental lesson from European cities
Urbanity Fair
Public Transit, Now Is Your Moment To Shine... And Reshape Mobility Habits
Picture this: what if our public transit system were more extensive and convenient, capable of taking all of us out of our cars and freeing up hours wasted in traffic? Imagine the difference that would make in our lives.
Urbanity Fair
Happy Newcomer Day? What It’s Like To Search For Housing As A Newcomer Family In 2024
Architect and urban planner Naama Blonder paints a picture of everything a newcomer faces when landing in Toronto, including limited access to affordable housing.
Urbanity Fair
‘Major Streets’ is a Major Turning Point for Toronto
A proposed change presented to Planning and Housing Committee members this week would allow a broader range of housing typologies on Major Streets within Toronto 'Neighbourhoods'.
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.
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