Marta O'Brien
@archhistory.bsky.social
Architectural historian. Passionate pedestrian & former cyclist, so road safety! City & provincial politics. Lifelong renter in Toronto.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
I absolutely hate this. Cutting funding for this program actually costs more because people are homeless again and have to access other programs. But while right-wing parties bang on about saving money they’re actually just being cruel to those less fortunate than themselves.
Sadly the current right-wing coalition government in Finland has cut the funding for the nation’s “Housing First” success story, & homelessness is now on the rise again. That just reinforces the fact that such programs work, if political ideology doesn’t stand in the way.
ysaatio.fi/en/news/home...
ysaatio.fi/en/news/home...
Homelessness on the Rise in Finland - Y-Säätiö
Asunnottomien ihmisten määrä on kääntynyt kasvuun. Nyt asunnottomien määrä kasvoi Helsingissä, vaikka asunnottomia asutettiin vuoden aikana vaikuttava määrä.
ysaatio.fi
November 25, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I absolutely hate this. Cutting funding for this program actually costs more because people are homeless again and have to access other programs. But while right-wing parties bang on about saving money they’re actually just being cruel to those less fortunate than themselves.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
who decided to call it Secret Santa when Nondisclosure Claus was right there
December 1, 2025 at 10:55 PM
who decided to call it Secret Santa when Nondisclosure Claus was right there
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
“…but also Toronto has to take responsibility for having got here.
Some of the people in council are the same people. And it's their budgetary decisions that created the state of good repair problem.” - Tricia Wood
Could you imagine holding #TOpoli incumbents responsible for this shit in 2026?
Some of the people in council are the same people. And it's their budgetary decisions that created the state of good repair problem.” - Tricia Wood
Could you imagine holding #TOpoli incumbents responsible for this shit in 2026?
December 1, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“…but also Toronto has to take responsibility for having got here.
Some of the people in council are the same people. And it's their budgetary decisions that created the state of good repair problem.” - Tricia Wood
Could you imagine holding #TOpoli incumbents responsible for this shit in 2026?
Some of the people in council are the same people. And it's their budgetary decisions that created the state of good repair problem.” - Tricia Wood
Could you imagine holding #TOpoli incumbents responsible for this shit in 2026?
@dkmunro.bsky.social has described my daily walking experience. Ironically, pedestrians are often blamed for collisions when it's only our extreme diligence that prevents daily carnage.
I believe we are doing "normal."
What voters want.
What voters want.
Went for a 30 minute walk.
1. Nearly hit by a car running a stop sign.
2. Nearly hit by a car running a red light (but got to see the flash of a red light camera. Small victories)
3. Nearly hit by a car turning on a red without stopping…8 seconds after incident #2.
What are we even doing anymore?
1. Nearly hit by a car running a stop sign.
2. Nearly hit by a car running a red light (but got to see the flash of a red light camera. Small victories)
3. Nearly hit by a car turning on a red without stopping…8 seconds after incident #2.
What are we even doing anymore?
December 2, 2025 at 1:33 AM
@dkmunro.bsky.social has described my daily walking experience. Ironically, pedestrians are often blamed for collisions when it's only our extreme diligence that prevents daily carnage.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Wait, I was told by the cops only bicycles run red lights and stop signs.
December 2, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Wait, I was told by the cops only bicycles run red lights and stop signs.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Preeeeeetty sure it's all the cars causing congestion there, and not converting street parking into a bus corridor that's doing it.
Uh oh, Ontario transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria liked this IntegrityTO video blaming bus lanes for car congestion…
December 1, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Preeeeeetty sure it's all the cars causing congestion there, and not converting street parking into a bus corridor that's doing it.
Saw John Pizarelli Trio on weekend. I'd won tickets through radio station Jazz FM!
Playing of guitarist Pizarelli, bassist Mike Karn, & pianist Isaiah J. Thompson top-notch. JP very engaging with audience between songs. Fun evening out with my beloved (who's been slowly getting into jazz).
Playing of guitarist Pizarelli, bassist Mike Karn, & pianist Isaiah J. Thompson top-notch. JP very engaging with audience between songs. Fun evening out with my beloved (who's been slowly getting into jazz).
December 1, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Saw John Pizarelli Trio on weekend. I'd won tickets through radio station Jazz FM!
Playing of guitarist Pizarelli, bassist Mike Karn, & pianist Isaiah J. Thompson top-notch. JP very engaging with audience between songs. Fun evening out with my beloved (who's been slowly getting into jazz).
Playing of guitarist Pizarelli, bassist Mike Karn, & pianist Isaiah J. Thompson top-notch. JP very engaging with audience between songs. Fun evening out with my beloved (who's been slowly getting into jazz).
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Since 2010, pedestrian deaths in the US 🇺🇸 have increased by 80%. During that same time, pedestrian deaths in the EU 🇪🇺 have dropped by 37%, but that stat could be about to change.
A new video by NJB. 👇
A new video by NJB. 👇
Keep these Stupid American Trucks out of Europe
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Since 2010, pedestrian deaths in the US 🇺🇸 have increased by 80%. During that same time, pedestrian deaths in the EU 🇪🇺 have dropped by 37%, but that stat could be about to change.
A new video by NJB. 👇
A new video by NJB. 👇
This is why telling someone who's struggling financially to "get a job" (as Ontario's premier did last week) is pointless. Here in Toronto many food bank users already have 1 or even 2 jobs. Low wages & increasing rents are a disastrous combination.
Walmart and McDonald’s are among the top employers of workers who rely on food stamps.
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
November 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
This is why telling someone who's struggling financially to "get a job" (as Ontario's premier did last week) is pointless. Here in Toronto many food bank users already have 1 or even 2 jobs. Low wages & increasing rents are a disastrous combination.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
November 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
People want to have kids and live downtown. Can they? - Western City Magazine
For decades, planners focused on attracting young singles to dense urban cores. That dynamic has shifted, in part because ...
www.westerncity.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:20 AM
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
The Portico Library #Librarians #Manchester #Architecture One of Manchester’s longest running institutions. I remember visiting as a student in the 1960s. Subscription library and newsroom. It was founded in 1806 by 400 subscribers. The first secretary was Peter Mark Roget of thesaurus fame
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Portico Library #Librarians #Manchester #Architecture One of Manchester’s longest running institutions. I remember visiting as a student in the 1960s. Subscription library and newsroom. It was founded in 1806 by 400 subscribers. The first secretary was Peter Mark Roget of thesaurus fame
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Background: fence around tree
Foreground: the reason for it
Foreground: the reason for it
November 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Background: fence around tree
Foreground: the reason for it
Foreground: the reason for it
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
new south wales (sydney) govenment's pattern handbook - which fast tracks permitting applications - features 4-7 story single stair buildings
shop-pattern-book.planning.nsw.gov.au/collections/...
shop-pattern-book.planning.nsw.gov.au/collections/...
Corner Lot Apartments 01 by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Corner Lot Apartments 01 by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer is a 4 - 6 storey shop-top housing or residential flat building. The design places dwellings above a flexible ground floor, which can be used for comm...
shop-pattern-book.planning.nsw.gov.au
November 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
new south wales (sydney) govenment's pattern handbook - which fast tracks permitting applications - features 4-7 story single stair buildings
shop-pattern-book.planning.nsw.gov.au/collections/...
shop-pattern-book.planning.nsw.gov.au/collections/...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Loblaws #cdnpoli 👇
Their meat is priced _per package_ now, not per kilogram.
The photo above shows a 649 g tray (left) and a 733 g tray (right), both for $15.
So, if you're not careful, you're paying over 10% extra for chicken thighs!
This packaging change is hiding price inflation & gouging.
Their meat is priced _per package_ now, not per kilogram.
The photo above shows a 649 g tray (left) and a 733 g tray (right), both for $15.
So, if you're not careful, you're paying over 10% extra for chicken thighs!
This packaging change is hiding price inflation & gouging.
November 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Loblaws #cdnpoli 👇
Their meat is priced _per package_ now, not per kilogram.
The photo above shows a 649 g tray (left) and a 733 g tray (right), both for $15.
So, if you're not careful, you're paying over 10% extra for chicken thighs!
This packaging change is hiding price inflation & gouging.
Their meat is priced _per package_ now, not per kilogram.
The photo above shows a 649 g tray (left) and a 733 g tray (right), both for $15.
So, if you're not careful, you're paying over 10% extra for chicken thighs!
This packaging change is hiding price inflation & gouging.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
November 29, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Posts about urban biking in Dutch cities are routinely replied to with comments like “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses about why they can’t make clearly smarter city-making decisions. #Leadership
His Toronto home, Lambton Lodge (1875), is still standing at 186 Beverley St. Now owned by Ontario Heritage Trust, who restored in 1980s. Main floor much as it was; upper floors now offices.
Brown was also an ardent abolitionist, against slavery in the U.S..
Brown was also an ardent abolitionist, against slavery in the U.S..
November 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
His Toronto home, Lambton Lodge (1875), is still standing at 186 Beverley St. Now owned by Ontario Heritage Trust, who restored in 1980s. Main floor much as it was; upper floors now offices.
Brown was also an ardent abolitionist, against slavery in the U.S..
Brown was also an ardent abolitionist, against slavery in the U.S..
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Frank Lloyd Wright's George Smith House in Oak Park. Built in 1898.
November 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Frank Lloyd Wright's George Smith House in Oak Park. Built in 1898.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, hauled by a bike... or SUV
#TreeByBike
#TreeByBike
November 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, hauled by a bike... or SUV
#TreeByBike
#TreeByBike
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
In this week's edition of my newsletter, rebuilding confidence, a magazine appearance, and having visions of plum pudding ice cream dance through my head.
open.substack.com/pub/jamiebra...
open.substack.com/pub/jamiebra...
44: The Visions of Plum Pudding Ice Cream Dancing in Your Head Edition
Along with the usual roundup o' stuff...
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In this week's edition of my newsletter, rebuilding confidence, a magazine appearance, and having visions of plum pudding ice cream dance through my head.
open.substack.com/pub/jamiebra...
open.substack.com/pub/jamiebra...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Robert A.M. Stern, Influential American Architect and Educator, Passes Away at 86 - https://www.archdaily.com/1036497/robert-am-stern-influential-american-architect-and-educator-passes-away-at-86
Robert A.M. Stern, Influential American Architect and Educator, Passes Away at 86
Robert A.M. Stern, influential architect and educator, reshaped contemporary architecture with his contextual, historically informed designs, passes away at 86.
www.archdaily.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Robert A.M. Stern, Influential American Architect and Educator, Passes Away at 86 - https://www.archdaily.com/1036497/robert-am-stern-influential-american-architect-and-educator-passes-away-at-86
Multiple aspects in any apartment makes a huge difference. Light, air, views.
connected single stair coop w/ towers in lausanne
most homes are dual or triple aspect.
www.espazium.ch/fr/actualite...
most homes are dual or triple aspect.
www.espazium.ch/fr/actualite...
Se plier à l’exceptionnalité d’une falaise | Espazium
Le projet de MPH architectes pour le périmètre des Falaises à Lausanne démontre que l’implantation d’un nouveau quartier sur une parcelle privilégiée ne dénature pas les qualités d’une ville mais perm...
www.espazium.ch
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Multiple aspects in any apartment makes a huge difference. Light, air, views.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Pedestrian struck by motorist on Parkside a block from the speed camera that vigilantes kept tearing down that caused ford to remove them from all Ontario. Drive as you wish Ontario. Nobody matters. This is what you voted for.
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Pedestrian struck by motorist on Parkside a block from the speed camera that vigilantes kept tearing down that caused ford to remove them from all Ontario. Drive as you wish Ontario. Nobody matters. This is what you voted for.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
With a jam-packed calendar next week, I’ve got a special FREE edition of City Hall Watcher, looking at debates on density along avenues, parking signage, bike lanes, tourism, and whether we should be allowed to swear in parks.
Share it with your pals.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/supersized...
Share it with your pals.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/supersized...
Supersized speed signs, park profanity, and bringing on more bike lanes
The week at Toronto City Hall for December 1 to 5, featuring some evolving avenues, scaled-down environmental plans, and a new water shuttle.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
With a jam-packed calendar next week, I’ve got a special FREE edition of City Hall Watcher, looking at debates on density along avenues, parking signage, bike lanes, tourism, and whether we should be allowed to swear in parks.
Share it with your pals.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/supersized...
Share it with your pals.
toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/supersized...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was raining
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, there was frost on my windows
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was dark
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, the sun was in my eyes
Also drivers: I never see anyone using that bike lane, let’s rip it out.
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, there was frost on my windows
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was dark
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, the sun was in my eyes
Also drivers: I never see anyone using that bike lane, let’s rip it out.
November 28, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was raining
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, there was frost on my windows
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was dark
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, the sun was in my eyes
Also drivers: I never see anyone using that bike lane, let’s rip it out.
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, there was frost on my windows
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, it was dark
Drivers: I couldn’t see you, the sun was in my eyes
Also drivers: I never see anyone using that bike lane, let’s rip it out.