St. James Town and the St. Lawrence Neighborhood: A Tale of Two Midcentury Master-Planned Communities

Note: This is a bike tour (please see details below). 

 

While it is important to look to the new, innovative, and exciting urban communities and development to inspire our future, a similar treasure trove of inspiration can be found in some of Toronto’s existing neighborhoods. This tour will explore two midcentury master-planned communities in Toronto: St. James Town and St. Lawrence. Though roughly contemporaneous, these two communities reflect very different 20th-century planning orthodoxies: St. James Town was inspired by Le Corbusier’s “towers in the park” concept, comprising 19 high-rises, making it one of the largest high-rise communities in Canada, and St. Lawrence is a mixed-use, mixed-income community that achieves significant density in a mid-rise built form.  Are these master-planned communities performing as envisaged? How are they being reimaged to address contemporary challenges and the needs of the city?

 

Bike Tour Details:
– This bike tour is approximately 8 miles (12.5 km) in length. The route is mostly in bike lanes, with some on local streets in mixed traffic. Please note there are some moderate uphill sections.
– Bikes will be provided by Bike Share Toronto. Though not required by law, any attendee wishing to wear a helmet should bring their own.
– Breakfast, Lunch, and bathroom breaks are included.