Upper Toronto now has it’s own site:
uppertoronto.ca
and mailing list
Image by Brett Lamb/Torontoist
Upper Toronto is a science fiction design proposal to build a new city in the sky above Toronto.
Imagine a city resting on the Bay Street towers – or the CN Tower as a walk up restaurant .
Once Upper Toronto is finished, Lower Toronto will be abandoned and turned into a combination of national park, farmland and intentional ruin.
This is, of course, a terrible idea.
But it’s a terrible idea that allows us to imagine a new city. To ask what would happen if, knowing what we now know, we could start fresh.
While clearly infeasible, it is important that all the proposals that make up Upper Toronto are good ones, even if forced relocation to the sky is not.
This has to be a city that we – the people planning it – want to live in.
To find out more about UPCOMING Presentations check out uppertoronto.ca
Pictures from Rhubarb 2011
Illustrations by Rachel Kahn and photos by Marco Avolio
Other posts and writing about the project:
Read Tim’s great post on Quiet Babylon
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Stage 1: Community Consultations – NOW
In partnership with theatres, libraries, science fiction conventions and city councillors, we are holding consultations across the city – talking to people about the city they imagine.
Stage 2: Working with Experts – 2012-14
Upper Toronto will be made with geographers, urban planners, policy makers, architects, engineers, marketers and real estate folk.
Stage 3: Presentation – 2014/15
With models, animations, and model suites – in condo presentation centres, public squares, libraries, and art festivals – the city of Upper Toronto is presented, much like a developer’s pitch or a time-share sale, to the people of Toronto. We ask only that they write their city councilor to propose a referendum on the adoption of Upper Toronto.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Connect us with a community – Do you know who we should be talk to? A school or community group we should be working with?
Connect us with an institution or partner – We’re going to need support and places to present. We’re looking for partners that provide space, time, and yes, even money.
Join the team – It takes a village to build a city. (sorry) Have skills, expertise and enthusiasm? We are forming working groups in a wide range of areas: public health, web presence, immersive gaming, and solving the problem of getting sunlight into Lower Toronto to name just a few. We’re looking for experts – professional, student or amateur – who will approach Upper Toronto with rigour, curiosity and the appropriate amount of humour.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Upper Toronto acknowledges the support of the Ontario Art Council through the Integrated Arts Section and Theatre Creators Reserve.