What makes a "good" city?

Some might envision a city littered with Tim Hortons on every street corner, others feel at home when streets accommodate only one lane of traffic in each direction.  A transit system that without fail, delivers the next vehicle almost on command. Property taxes that would seem non existent, and city services such as libraries and community centres require no users fees (or any other fee) for the use of facilities...  These are varying opinions, ideas, and needs for what one may consider the factors to make a regular city a "good" city.

Growing up in a large city where any thing you could ever possibly need was only a quick trip in any direction from home, changes your sense of reality, especially when you have nothing else to compare it to. Whether you were born and raised in a city where needs and wants were second nature, and fufilling them just a way to kill time, you develop a sense of entitlement based on the luxury your life now suddenly requires.  With growth comes needs, and needs soon develop into demands, usually based on ones interpretation of reality and just how badly the need is wanted.

Reading various blogs posted in the Toronto Star throughout their series of "your city, my city", brings to light so many interpretations of what others consider actual "needs" for a perfect Toronto.  These are just that- interpretations.  What most don't consider is that the actual idea or vision of a good city, comes from experience as well as distance.  Jane Jacobs was a well known activist for the preservation of neighbourhoods.  She grew up in the States, was influential in stopping planned expressways in lower Manhattan, moved to Toronto in the 60's, and was the driving force behind stopping the plans for the now defunct Spadina Expressway, which would have cut through communities and neighbourhoods from the 401 south to the Gardiner.  She had vision, passion and life experience in other major cities.  What works for some, may not work for others and this applies to any vision that other Torontonians have for making a good city.  The legacy that Jane Jacobs left behind is one of being a thinker.  Taking ideas forward, bringing them to fruition and watching them work, is a true testament to ones vision, for not only how their ideas can impact and change other lives, but how that vision can impact an entire city.  The search for the next Jane Jacobs is in full swing. Like posting a personal ad for the perfect mate, Toronto is in dire need for someone with the vision and passion that consumed Jane.  Is that visionary a resident of Toronto, or from abroad with urban experiences to speak of?  Sure we have the passion as well as the ideas, but are they skewed based on what we already know we lack? Like a corporation searching for their next whiz kid.. do we hire internally based on what they know about the company already, or do we source outside of the company, hoping that someone brings new life and new visions to the corporation? As I have mentioned in other postings previously, Toronto is on the cusp of big changes.  With so many claiming to be the next big thinker and visionary for the city, it's interesting to read and hear what all these ideas are, and how far some are willing to take them.  From adding chairs and tables to community parks to designating Toronto as its own province, these are needs and wants of people who for what ever reason feel they can benefit from this as well as others.  Do you start with the small ideas and work up from there, or dream big and watch others fall into your vision as well? So many angles, aspects and ideas, and only time will tell to see how outlandish they become, or how mediocre they sound.  Interpretations of what works now, may not work down the road, and it is for that reason alone, careful planning, execution and experience determine whether these are the building blocks to make a good city a great one.   If you have any interest whatsoever in Toronto, I highly recommend checking out the Star and read what some of these ideas are.  They come from everyday people that interact with Toronto -whether it be from a distance, or walking down Yonge street every.  It's comforting to know, and hear, that people have passion for where they live.  You hope that people care about something they use and depend on everyday, like a city, as well as clinging on to the hope that they also don't take it for granted.