Urban form is a diagram of the forces acting during planning.

Sidewalks are traditionally glued to the edge of the curb. Their routing, and thus that of pedestrians, deemed by engineers to be absolutely perfectly defined by the road geometry designed to move cars. Might there be a more direct way? A different desire line? A more pleasant way?

To even consider pedestrian needs and wants is rare (gluing a sidewalk to a curb doesn’t count).

All the more delightful to come across this urban scene where landscaping was integrated into the pedestrian realm. A curvy path. Interesting sight lines. Some excitement.

I am shocked — shocked ! — at the layout shown in the picture, from Toronto, at Ryerson University. I am sure some Ottawa committee would object to the rocks: rapists might hide behind them! Children will climb and fall! Someone will sue!

Is it something in the air we breathe here that causes people to leap to objections, to find fault, to heap up reasons why something cannot be done? Our safe, boring, dull urban landscape is probably what we deserve.

Urban form is a diagram of the forces acting during planning.