Toronto Velocity at the Square | 122.52m | 40s | HNR | P + S / IBI

ksun said:
Not hyperbole (at least not intentionally).
Dundas Square is ok and functional for a mid size city. That's the best I can say about it. Even a city like London deserves a better square than this. To serve as the main square for a city of Toronto's status, it is far from being OK. It doesn't "work just fine" for public events - it is often too crowded with people spilling to the streets, which is not a sign of the square's success but more a reflection of how underbuilt it is for Toronto's needs. And when there is no event, the square is awkwardly serving no purpose, because it is neither attractive nor friendly to those who want to just hang out there. Compared with the photo I posted from a city 1/10 the size (isn't that how we want citizens to enjoy our public squares?), it is very clear the square is poorly designed and the fountain can't save that. None of its elements can be called successful. even the seating on the south side look boring and not inviting.
Click to expand...

First and foremost, Dundas Square is not the main square for the city.

Second, who cares if Toronto doesn't stack up to your old world city of 1/10th the size in the square department. I'm sure that city doesn't have the commercialism of backlit billboards, giant screens, and bright lights either . Some people are into that afterall.
 
Northern Light said:
At the risk of being seen to agree w/ksun, LOL, ...... He's on point.

Not necessarily that the square needs to be full of grass or a grand fountain.

But rather it doesn't meet two tests for me in terms of being a successful public place.

The first is the arguably lazy, if important test of aesthetics.

Its really, almost literally, nothing to look at.

Its grey, its there, uninspiring is a charitable description.

But the other test, would be that of the classic square as gathering space.............

For me the way to evaluate this is personal, but simple, do I ever stop there to sit and soak up the ambiance?

In a word: No

I've never stopped to read a book, people-watch, nosh on a snack, or spend some romantic time w/a gf.

Its just not attractive to me for any of those.

I completely appreciate the argument that this is not a spot in the city surrounded by 19th architecture than lends itself to a grand Victorian fountain.

Likewise, I understand a somewhat 'hardened' landscape in order to allow concerts or other large gatherings.

But there is a way to make a space like that function better.

Its the 'framing' of the space by its neighbours, or architectural or landscape elements.

Its the choice of paving material and seating.

Its the choice to make something in space appear to be the grand centerpiece, even its not literally in the centre or a fountain/statue.

One could nitpick the choices that could be made or should have been made to achieve this effect.

Could the stage or its canopy been the grand gesture?

Were the canopy along Dundas removed would there be sufficient room for a greater softscape gesture to add warmth and texture to the space?

Could the lighting system be more intimate?

Could the design better accommodate a Toronto winter? (snowmelt systems?, heated benches?)

Lots of possibilities.

In a spirit of fairness to the designers, they were largely operating the context of a political/media vision of the day that blathered on about a Toronto version
of 'Times Square'.

As I said back then, and continue to in reference to the endless advertising, Times Square was, is and remains ugly and is a place to pass through, not one to linger.

It was not the space we should have strived to imitate.
Click to expand...

Hey! Dundas Square's greyness was a geat counterbalance to all the green back then.

Why would anyone feel Dundas Square as the perfect site for quiet contemplation or to read a book surrounded by all the crass consumerism? Go to Trinity Bellwoods for that. Across the street is also Bell Trinity Square. Dundas Square is leasable space for corporate events and, while I'm not impressed by the arrangement, there is something fitting to it at the heart of all those flashing lights.

You're obviously not into flashing lights and corporate chain stores and wish any entire different direction was taken here. That doesn't make Dundas Square any less successful. Once again, it's not Dundas Square's fault that there's a void for large traditional designed and functional squares in the city. Smaller do exist although ownership is questionable. (Who owns the grass area in Bell Trinity Square across the street?) Bercy Park renos will help to fill that void too.
 
DSC_1024.jpg
DSC_1023.jpg
 

Attachments

  • DSC_1024.jpg
    DSC_1024.jpg
    769.3 KB · Views: 648
  • DSC_1023.jpg
    DSC_1023.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 659
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top