Courtesy of GHD, SLA, Trophic Design, Allies and Morrison
A new neighborhood in Canada will be home to the country’s longest car-free stretch of land
In Toronto, a new neighborhood called Ookwemin Minising wants to make more space for housing without sacrificing green space — so it’s replacing streets with parks and plazas.
A half-mile pedestrian route called Centre Commons will act as a car-free main street, home to 400 trees, which the development touts as “Canada’s longest and most ambitious year-round car-free space.”
While other side streets will allow for vehicles, they will still prioritize large areas of green space. Other streets will also serve as climate-friendly infrastructure by reducing urban heat, managing stormwater, supporting biodiversity, and more.
Why is this good news? More green space in a community has proven benefits for air quality, noise reduction, heat reduction, mental health, and even reducing gun violence. Just as people need a roof over their heads, people need easy access to nature (and spaces to build community with your neighbors!).