Alex Bozikovic
@alexbozikovic.bsky.social
Architecture critic @theglobeandmail.com. Also author, University of Toronto Daniels Faculty instructor, husband, father of two city kids.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/alex-bozikovic/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/alex-bozikovic/
Shopfront design was figured out quite well on this street in 1877
November 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Shopfront design was figured out quite well on this street in 1877
The only substantial thing the Reform movement actually built.
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The only substantial thing the Reform movement actually built.
Pretty sure the humans who live there would rather have a home then not
November 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Pretty sure the humans who live there would rather have a home then not
I teach this history to graduate students. I understand it. George Baird was my friend. My point is that we need not accept every aspect of their world view with equal enthusiasm.
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I teach this history to graduate students. I understand it. George Baird was my friend. My point is that we need not accept every aspect of their world view with equal enthusiasm.
the latter is the real point here. For half a century "local control" has meant "no new buildings near my house," and that position must be challenged.
November 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
the latter is the real point here. For half a century "local control" has meant "no new buildings near my house," and that position must be challenged.
The province stopped Spadina, and the city gave residents the (initially temporary) freeze on highrise development. Just because one group was asking for both things didn't mean they had to go together. Nor does it mean we have to remember them as equally valid.
November 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The province stopped Spadina, and the city gave residents the (initially temporary) freeze on highrise development. Just because one group was asking for both things didn't mean they had to go together. Nor does it mean we have to remember them as equally valid.
The right thing to do was to keep building, yes.
The Reformers promised alternatives to highrise, but never delivered.
Without blaming them entirely, safe to say that they made a major contribution to the sprawlification of the region.
The Reformers promised alternatives to highrise, but never delivered.
Without blaming them entirely, safe to say that they made a major contribution to the sprawlification of the region.
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The right thing to do was to keep building, yes.
The Reformers promised alternatives to highrise, but never delivered.
Without blaming them entirely, safe to say that they made a major contribution to the sprawlification of the region.
The Reformers promised alternatives to highrise, but never delivered.
Without blaming them entirely, safe to say that they made a major contribution to the sprawlification of the region.
Meanwhile, St Jamestown alone has probably housed at least 100,000 different people, many of whom were new arrivals in the city finding a foothold
November 23, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Meanwhile, St Jamestown alone has probably housed at least 100,000 different people, many of whom were new arrivals in the city finding a foothold
people absolutely were displaced, but the resulting buildings improved the lives of many more people. Also, the ongoing gentrification of central Toronto houses has probably displaced even more people, whose problems are invisible.
November 23, 2025 at 12:45 AM
people absolutely were displaced, but the resulting buildings improved the lives of many more people. Also, the ongoing gentrification of central Toronto houses has probably displaced even more people, whose problems are invisible.
Yes. As you know, the nature of development activity shifted towards single-family and the 905, and this has multiple causes
November 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Yes. As you know, the nature of development activity shifted towards single-family and the 905, and this has multiple causes
It’s complicated.
November 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It’s complicated.
The construction of condo apartments over the last 25 years, and the current rise in rental, are only possible because the province’s anti-sprawl policy overruled the policies of the City Of Toronto.
November 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The construction of condo apartments over the last 25 years, and the current rise in rental, are only possible because the province’s anti-sprawl policy overruled the policies of the City Of Toronto.
Social housing was a relatively small part of the mix then.
Changes to fed tax policy and provincial rent control also contributed to killing the apartment boom.
City policy changes to protect existing neighbourhoods effectively killed highrise construction in the old City.
Changes to fed tax policy and provincial rent control also contributed to killing the apartment boom.
City policy changes to protect existing neighbourhoods effectively killed highrise construction in the old City.
November 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Social housing was a relatively small part of the mix then.
Changes to fed tax policy and provincial rent control also contributed to killing the apartment boom.
City policy changes to protect existing neighbourhoods effectively killed highrise construction in the old City.
Changes to fed tax policy and provincial rent control also contributed to killing the apartment boom.
City policy changes to protect existing neighbourhoods effectively killed highrise construction in the old City.
Are these the same citizens who elected provincial governments who called for intensification of our existing cities?
November 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Are these the same citizens who elected provincial governments who called for intensification of our existing cities?
Who should do this telling, on whose behalf, and why?
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Who should do this telling, on whose behalf, and why?
pushing out United Bakers would be bad. It would also be incredibly dumb, and if this development happens, the owners will certainly try hard to keep them.
Finally: if you are 77, you should want to ensure that your favourite restaurant has a future. That means more people.
Finally: if you are 77, you should want to ensure that your favourite restaurant has a future. That means more people.
November 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
pushing out United Bakers would be bad. It would also be incredibly dumb, and if this development happens, the owners will certainly try hard to keep them.
Finally: if you are 77, you should want to ensure that your favourite restaurant has a future. That means more people.
Finally: if you are 77, you should want to ensure that your favourite restaurant has a future. That means more people.
… precisely this:
bsky.app/profile/niel...
bsky.app/profile/niel...
They are concerned about traffic so naturally they want to keep the massive surface parking surrounded by big box stores.
November 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
… precisely this:
bsky.app/profile/niel...
bsky.app/profile/niel...
Ontario planning policy, which prevails, calls for intensification in existing cities. Toronto planning has been slow walking this for 20 years now, but among a few places that they allow density is… commercial sites on major streets.
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Ontario planning policy, which prevails, calls for intensification in existing cities. Toronto planning has been slow walking this for 20 years now, but among a few places that they allow density is… commercial sites on major streets.
These new apartments would be great for local seniors to downsize into. This development would destroy zero housing.
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
These new apartments would be great for local seniors to downsize into. This development would destroy zero housing.