Toronto Star

In the man-made landscape of the modern city, towers become forests and highways are rivers. Thus, the Don Valley Parkway, that traffic torrent that runs through the heart of Toronto, has all the appeal of a natural feature. Buildings address it and bridges cross it. It defines the terrain and provides the organizing principle that drives development. Little wonder then that the DVP is lined for much of its length by tall buildings with views of the artery that never stops pumping. Still, the neighbourhoods around the expressway, especially the newer ones at the north end, seem to exist in its shadow. Consisting of low-rise townhouse type housing and nasty highrise residential slabs, these areas tend to be more suburban than urban in their densities and planning. This has started to change as city property increases in value and, for once, the change is a good one.