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+--- Thread: the lone block theory (/showthread.php?tid=1549)
the lone block theory - kalis0490 - 04-12-2021
Heres my lone block theory -
I propose that if a block of downtown-older-buildings is separated from other buildings by a gap , then its called a 'lone block' .
if a single downtown like building is far from other buildings then I would called it a 'lone block building'
Examples of lone blocks are seen in larger cities like hamilton or toronto, often there were buildings next to these lone blocks but were demolished. Sometimes lone blocks are observed on the largest streets of bigger cities naturally like yonge st in Toronto or main st in hamilton, where a lone block was naturally built, away from other blocks due to homes that were built in the same time.
Examples of lone block buildings are observed in Kitchener along king st e like the one next to the market flats.
The larger the city was, earlier in time, the more lone blocks/buildings there are. This is why they are interesting as they are where the city would naturally intensify if there wasn't a car era.
In kitchener, its interesting that lone blocks are seen along king st w, e and victoria st but not queen st. This is interesting as queen st was the second largest road in Kitchener until after the world war.
In some sense ut waterloo can be called kitchener's lone block. Also, belmont village could also be considered a lone block.
The place where lone blocks are, are a good pace to intensify. If theres good density/midrises in between these blocks it makes them look almost like a proper dt block.
RE: the lone block theory - nms - 04-13-2021
Historically, Queen Street only stretched a few blocks east and west of King before rapidly devolving into country fields and single-family homes. St. Mary's hospital anchored the west end when it was built in 1923 (the old building is largely gone). The east end had at least five churches (three of which abut Queen St) plus civic buildings such as the Carnegie Library (Weber and Queen) and the courthouse, gaol and registry.
RE: the lone block theory - kalis0490 - 04-13-2021
Example of a lone block building - the small building beside the condo https://www.waterlooregionconnected.com/attachment.php?aid=5756