(04-29-2022, 09:36 AM)westwardloo Wrote:

(04-29-2022, 08:43 AM)jamincan Wrote: I think part of the problem with the 4-6 story range is accessibility requirements for elevators. Once developers are installing elevators, they might as well build even higher.

Ding Ding Ding. This is the big this answer to why we don't have 3-4 story walkups in new developments like we do in the older neighbourhoods. The way developers get around this now is to build stacked townhouses, which are more complex to build (Increased cost = more expensive units)  and I rarely see them as rental units. My neighbourhood is from the 40's, it is full of single detached homes but also has a decent amount of 3-4 storey walkups or triplexes mixed in. As soon as elevator is required it does not make economic sense to build a 3-6 story building. I think accessibility is an important issues, but sweeping requirements for every new build to be accessible has increased cost and deterred builders from building what some consider a more human scaled building. Looking at google streetview of Vincennes, I would hazard a guess that maybe 25% of those buildings have an elevator? I wish we could build dense neighbourhoods like paris, but that built form was probably built in the 1700/1800's, I think we should look more to Copenhagen's new suburbs for inspiration. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vestamager/@55.6119165,12.5738897,1304a,35y,344.25h,34.34t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x47e672a39beac54d:0x40b82c3688b3740!2s94300+Vincennes,+France!3b1!8m2!3d48.847759!4d2.4394969!3m4!1s0x465254c5fe6817cb:0xbaeb0efb47c4c118!8m2!3d55.6193989!4d12.5756005?hl=en

If the region was truly forward think we would be planning a new phase of the LRT into Bridgeport or Breslau with a master planned dense development at the end of the line. People can't complain about 10 storey building if the whole neighbourhood has been planned with 10 storey buildings. 

(04-29-2022, 12:15 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: Contrary to popular opinion, European cities (at least the ones I've been to) do have towers, 10-16 stories is totally common. Yes, there is also a lot of midrise, but there aren't zero towers.

Also, it isn't just about elevators...I've been in a half dozen (4-6 stories) buildings in the past month, most of them have elevators. Yes, there are also lots of 3 story walkups, but it is totally feasible to put elevators in smaller buildings (we do this in Canada as well).

FWIW...there are ways to make elevators more economical, for example, some buildings I've seen are connected by walkways to a central staircase with a single elevator bank shared between buildings.

(04-29-2022, 08:00 PM)plam Wrote:

(04-29-2022, 12:15 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: Contrary to popular opinion, European cities (at least the ones I've been to) do have towers, 10-16 stories is totally common. Yes, there is also a lot of midrise, but there aren't zero towers.

Also, it isn't just about elevators...I've been in a half dozen (4-6 stories) buildings in the past month, most of them have elevators. Yes, there are also lots of 3 story walkups, but it is totally feasible to put elevators in smaller buildings (we do this in Canada as well).

FWIW...there are ways to make elevators more economical, for example, some buildings I've seen are connected by walkways to a central staircase with a single elevator bank shared between buildings.

There's also the tiny-Parisian-elevator (1-2 person capacity) thing that I've never seen here. Guessing it's illegal.

(04-30-2022, 12:50 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I am curious how they are going to move our furniture in one of those elevators.

(04-12-2023, 06:13 PM)KevinL Wrote: The province is overriding the Region, permitting development in a number of areas. Seems everything within the countryside line (which is being maintained) is fair game. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2023/04/12/province-opens-more-land-for-housing-in-waterloo-region.html