Disappearing Toronto: The real danger of undervaluing our historical architecture

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from NOWToronto:





Disappearing Toronto
The real danger of undervaluing our historical architecture

By Enzo Di Matteo


Heritage preservation is in trouble in Hogtown.

Developers filling the sky with cranes to erect ever-taller glass condo towers seem to care enough about heritage to go to great expense to save the facades of notable buildings and incorporate others into their designs. It’s at least a nod to the value of our architectural history.

But our entire planning system is more geared to the idea that bigger is better than to preservation. Heritage concerns are typically excluded from the broader planning and development process. At the political level, elected officials are largely unaware of the environmental benefits and economic value of protecting Toronto’s built past.

We have heritage policies, but they’re frequently not enforced. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=185978

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