Urban growth and development can be attributed to all changes that engulf the particular urban setting (Jacobs 78). Moreover, the increase of an urban city should be planned for, lest social evils, as well as uncontrollable urban population and congestion, can ensue. Apparently, Toronto is an urban area that has grown rapidly over time, creating concerns about the future of urban planning, to cater for growing population, pollution, and urban traffic. Since the early 1970’s, Toronto has made the use of subways, buses and streetcars to ease congestion in the city, and also to provide an ambient environment for conducting business (Benson 44). However, it is evident that the revolutionary ideas of urban planners and designers have deluded our idea of what urban development entails. For example, in a bid to beat congestion in the city, city developers have caused pedestrians and commuters great deals of pains, as they maneuver around the city every day.
Principally, the growth of Toronto city has altered the transportation system, the economic growth of the Ontario state, as well as the social setting in which the city dwellers embrace (Benson 92). Urban planning theory provides a basis for which city designers and urban planners use in other major cities in the world to provide a favorable urban environment. Some philosophers even suggested for the adoption of garden cities to curb the problems associated with urbanization. For example, developed cities like New York and Paris use expressways, freeways or boulevards to ease congestion, prevent environmental degradation, as well as providing a secure urban environment.
Toronto city is a good city, but what makes up a good city? A good city encompasses all attributes of good social life, safety, as well as a reputable economic growth. Safety in the city begins at the streets, among pedestrians. Therefore, sidewalks in the city should be secure as they provide overall circulation of human sources in the city (Jacobs 37). Moreover, cities are also defined by their level of civilization. Muggings which occur on sidewalks reflect barbarism among city dwellers (Jacobs 38). In this regard, the local authorities in Toronto made it a priority to make sure that sidewalks are safe, and the reputation of Toronto is maintained.
In addition, security in sidewalks does not only include pedestrians or commuters in the city, but also within areas of residence. Effective urban practices involve the elimination of barbarism and embracing more civilized ways of living. However, better urban lives are hard to uncover with rapid urban growth like in the case of Toronto City. Sidewalks, which provide a basis for interaction among city dwellers, cannot be achieved without good planning (Jacobs 41). Access points and distress terminals are ideal for controlling growing populations and guaranteeing safety.
Apart from security and civilized behavior in the city, transport is also a major concern in Toronto (Benson 67). The growth of Toronto forced the local authorities to uptake public transit as the only adaptable way of moving people around the city, whether on business or other ventures. In this perspective, Toronto city uses subways, street cars, as well as buses for public transport within the city. However, just like any other means of transportation, the modes of transport in Toronto city are faced with challenges, despite having a vast array of benefits. Furthermore, both subway transit and surface transportation are widely used in Toronto. Surface transit systems use streetcars, to transport people (Lynch 46). Urban planning for Toronto city did not provide much space to accommodate a large number of personal vehicles, as congestion was choking up the city (Toronto Transit Commission 25).
However, the rate of growth in Toronto city has caused major problems with the streetcar system. For instance, the population of Toronto city has surpassed the capabilities of the streetcars to serve commuters efficiently (Toronto Transportation Commission 12). Apparently, during the morning peak hours, streetcars are congested, and individuals have to line up for long hours before getting a spot in the street cars. Moreover, frequent mechanical breakdowns of the streetcars due to overutilization causes lengthy delays and inconveniences for individuals targeting to get to work on time.
Despite the scheduling of streetcars being perfect, mechanical breakdowns and a large number of commuters causes major glitches in the transport system (Benson 48). Other challenges that limits the city from handling the swelling urban population and the increased demand for public transportation systems has been attributed to underfunding, poor urban planning, as well as the incapability of streetcar operators to consider the needs of customers first. Consumer sovereignty is a key factor in ensuring that the streetcar system is adopted, and poses solutions to contain the rapid urban growth in Toronto (Toronto Transit Commission 38). Lastly, human resource management in the Toronto transport system is to blame for glitches with those street cars.
Toronto urban planning was excellent in bringing up a great urban image, since it integrated distinct pathways, landmarks, and districts. The beauty of a city and structures shows the capability of the authorities to effectively utilize human and natural resources, which are vital for urban growth (Lynch 48). For example, the planning of Toronto city incorporated the installation of an observation tower, accessible pathways, subways, and gardens that maintain a balance of nature (Lynch 51). Thus, physical structures and attractions in Toronto have earned the city a great deal of tourist attractions, as well as revenue to provide essential services to city dwellers.
Lastly, moral economy of Toronto city is a key concern for policy makers and urban planners. Urban growth is not only attributed to growth in physical structures or infrastructure, but also the increase in economic welfare as well as the moral development of people (Ruppert 2). For instance, public transit systems should be secure, and provide means for people to improve their economic welfare. Moreover, the cost of initiating public projects, such as the proposed subway system between Mount Dennis and Kennedy should be considerate about the welfare of taxpayers. Creativity is also key in developing city structures. Structures that incorporate creativity form emblems that the city can be distinguished with, and also earn popularity (Farr 151). However, physical structures should be designed in a way that they do not provide inconveniences in accessing essential services such as transport and healthcare (Ruppert 5).
Economic growth of Toronto city is quite reputable, but the distribution of welfare is yet to be passed down to the poor. Some major cities in the world attribute the urban growth to the fair distribution of welfare, and maximizing the welfare of the poor in the city (Ruppert 6). The shifting concern to local communities makes the plans and designs of urban designers more feasible, and their practicability can be felt over a long period. The argument is, the means used to improve the economic welfare should be cost effective, not to jeopardize the lives of city dwellers (Ruppert 10)
Works Cited
Benson, Sara. Toronto. Hawthorn, Vic: Lonely Planet, 2001. Print
Farr, Douglas. Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.Print.
Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life if Great American Cities. , 1961. Print.
Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 1960. Print.
Ruppert, Evelyn S. The Moral Economy of the Cities: Shaping Good Citizens. Toronto University of Toronto Press, 2006. Print.
Sidewalk Superintendents Manual Grade 3, Toronto Subway. Toronto: Toronto Transportation Commission, 1950. Print.
Transit in Toronto: The Story of the Development of Public Transportation in Toronto, from Horse Cars to Modern High-Speed Subway System. Toronto: Toronto Transit Commission, 1976.
