01-14-2022, 04:16 PM
While I agree with some of the points this article is trying to make. I know my house 1949 is poorly insulated and definitely has air leakage issues. I have been trying to get a home energy audit for months so I can get rebates to fix this. Having said this personally I prefer the look and built environment of neighbourhoods built before the 1960's. It seems somewhere along the way cities just handed developers all the power in deciding how our city would be laid out. Suburbs from 1960 on were layed out to maximize developers profits but leave a cold disjointed built environment. One developers subdivision rarely connects to the next developers subdivision expect through an artillery's road. No commercial street has been developed, just car centric strip malls and power centers. Where as my neighourhood layout is in a grid pattern that connects various different developers properties together. There is a mix of single family, walk ups, midrises, (even a few towers thanks to the 1960's) and has small commercial shops scattered throughout. I rarely have to use my car to do my day to day errands.
I will also say the level of detail and finishes in the older homes is way above anything you would find in a new tract home builds. I work closely with some Ontario housing developers and seeing how the sausage is made I would never buy a new build. The pride in workmanship just is not there anymore. Trim, cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing features, doors, and floors are all the cheapest possible option. You are paying for the land not the house when you purchase one of these homes. An old home can be renovated to meet the same level of comfort you find in the new homes. Also open floor plans are overrated and make homes feel small, another personal opinion.
In terms of accessibility I will agree that new midrise building are built to provide housing options for people with mobility needs which is a good thing. Although this does add a substantial cost to construction and maintenance of buildings. I think it is important we build an inclusive built environment, but I do feel like we have lost the ability sprinkle in additional housing supply in new subdivisions with 3-4 storey walkups. I will also add that you rarely see bungalows built in new subdivisions, because they are just not profitable for the developer.
I will also say the level of detail and finishes in the older homes is way above anything you would find in a new tract home builds. I work closely with some Ontario housing developers and seeing how the sausage is made I would never buy a new build. The pride in workmanship just is not there anymore. Trim, cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing features, doors, and floors are all the cheapest possible option. You are paying for the land not the house when you purchase one of these homes. An old home can be renovated to meet the same level of comfort you find in the new homes. Also open floor plans are overrated and make homes feel small, another personal opinion.
In terms of accessibility I will agree that new midrise building are built to provide housing options for people with mobility needs which is a good thing. Although this does add a substantial cost to construction and maintenance of buildings. I think it is important we build an inclusive built environment, but I do feel like we have lost the ability sprinkle in additional housing supply in new subdivisions with 3-4 storey walkups. I will also add that you rarely see bungalows built in new subdivisions, because they are just not profitable for the developer.