Suburbs that don't Suck - Streetcar Suburbs (Riverdale, Toronto)
Not Just Bikes・14 minutes read
Car-dependent suburbs are criticized for their oversized roads, parking lots, and financial instability, while successful streetcar suburbs like Riverdale offer walkability, community, and diverse housing options, but face affordability challenges and restrictive zoning regulations preventing their construction. Dutch regulations promote car-free suburbs that are financially self-sustaining, peaceful, and free of heavy traffic, with the speaker planning to explore more successful suburban models in future videos.
Insights
- Car-dependent suburbs, characterized by oversized roads, parking lots, and financial instability, are disliked due to the need for subsidies and lack of walkability.
- Streetcar suburbs, like Riverdale in Toronto, offer successful models of community-oriented design with high population density, walkability, and diverse housing options, challenging the modern zoning regulations that hinder similar developments.
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Recent questions
Why are car-dependent suburbs disliked?
Due to oversized roads, parking lots, financial instability, and subsidies.
What are streetcar suburbs?
Suburbs built around streetcar lines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
What is the design of Riverdale in Toronto?
Riverdale features narrow streets, laneways for parking, schools, shops.
Why are modern zoning regulations in the US and Canada restrictive?
Due to strict requirements on street width, lot size, setback, parking.
How do Dutch regulations promote suburban areas?
By discouraging car-dependent areas and encouraging walkable neighborhoods.
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Summary
00:00
Car-dependent suburbs hinder urban development and diversity.
- Car-dependent suburbia is disliked due to oversized roads, parking lots, financial instability, and the need for subsidies.
- The issue lies with car-dependent suburbs, not suburbs in general, as they have existed alongside cities for a long time.
- Car-dependent suburbs have been the only legal option for construction in many countries for the past 60 years.
- Streetcar suburbs, built around streetcar lines, were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Riverdale in Toronto is a successful streetcar suburb with a strong sense of community, walkability, and varied housing options.
- Riverdale's design includes narrow streets, laneways for parking, multiple schools, commercial streets, and local shops.
- The population density of Riverdale is high, creating a dense urban feel with parks and tree-lined streets.
- Housing prices in Riverdale have risen significantly, making it unaffordable for many, leading to a high demand for walkable neighborhoods.
- Modern zoning regulations in the US and Canada prevent the construction of suburbs like Riverdale due to strict requirements on street width, lot size, setback, and parking.
- The regulations enforce a specific style of development, leading to a lack of diversity in suburban design across the continent.
15:46
Dutch suburbs thrive without cars
- Dutch regulations discourage car-dependent areas, promoting suburbs where daily activities can be done without a car.
- These suburbs are financially self-sustaining, peaceful, and free from heavy traffic.
- The speaker will discuss more about successful suburbs in future videos.
- The speaker thanks Patreon supporters for funding research on suburban zoning codes.
- To support the channel and access bonus content, visit patreon.com/notjustbikes.
