Terra Nullis

 

 

Phillip Hong
March 30, 2010

 

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - after Vaughan Corporate Centre, this is currently the most misrepresentative of names that I have ever heard of in the Toronto area. This could be partially attributed to the lack of anything, let alone "everything", that would be found in a typical "metropolis". I didn't know a Walmart store and an IKEA was worth the incredible amount of pomp and circumstance.

 

But maybe city planners are on to something, since they've seen good examples of high density development like in Mississauga and the like. Walking through the streets of Mississauga City Centre is definitely a pleasure for the eyes if you prefer to explore with your feet and like concrete.

 

Suburban Toronto residents are probably the least likely to walk in their own neighbourhoods, and this is mainly because the culture out here is quite connected to the car. Transit is almost a point of ridicule, a farce because no one in their right mind could believe that the frequencies and travel times could be "convenient" compared to the car, except for the extremely patient.

 

Then you have the unsustainable feeling of said culture, and cities that straddle around Steeles Avenue and Etobicoke Creek need to magically change our revving heads with high density and development that is more evolved and local - so the car doesn't have to choke up our good air. That sort of planning would almost be dead in the water as a revolution, if Vaughan doesn't encourage the landowners at the "Met Centre" to redevelop.

 

Walking around Mississauga City Centre, away from the sprawl or the strings of houses which line a typical suburb, I had a feeling that I was literally in Downtown Toronto, only without streetcars or as much garbage strewn on the street. Hazel McCallion and her council really looked forward back in the 80s, when these parcels of land were unbelievably barren, but they built their City Hall in this area to "put their money where their mouths were".

 

So how should Vaughan learn to make this city pedestrian friendly, and green in the end? First, they have to recognize that old habits die hard, and even the average driver needs to sacrifice for a better quality life.

 

Councillor Tony Carella (West Woodbridge) could have been saved from a fine and a lot of embarrassment if he could take efficient transit to the supermarket, instead of having his car being photographed in a parking space for disabled people (heaven knows if he was actually there, apparently).

 

City Council had a huge chance to encourage development by building the new city hall at the "Met Centre" instead of at their current site in Maple. They need to make some very important, tough decisions in order to succeed.

 

Residents and landowners also need to realize that they don't live in "Wonderland" anymore, pardon the pun considering what's up north on Highway 400. We need to really demand better transit, and focus on creating a more efficient community instead of "Not In My Backyard". We need to look out our front doors and driveways.

 

Mississauga looks amazing; we need to follow on a similar plan for Met Centre.

 

Phillip Hong, a resident within suburban Toronto, is a constant tourist. Check out the interesting experiences of his journeys on The Travelling Briefcase.