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
"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
Urbanity Fair
Lessons from Scandinavia: Exploring the Potential of Toronto’s Waterfront
When it comes to expanding the potential of the Toronto waterfront, we can look to Scandinavian countries for best practices.
Toronto
Urbanity Fair
Why the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Can't Solve Today’s Affordability Crisis
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood stands out for its mix of affordable housing and livable communities. But could it be replicated?
Toronto
Urbanity Fair
Angular Planes: An Everyday Planning Tool That Hurts Housing Affordability
Angular planes are an everyday planning tool that's meant to improve access to sunlight among highrise developments. But they cause more harm than good.
Urbanity Fair
Can Toronto's Heritage Study Stand Up to NIMBY Attitudes?
The hope behind Toronto's Heritage Study is that it will help city planners and citizens alike when planning new supply and initiatives.
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