What People Get Wrong About Dense Urban Living

Summary

This video challenges the common misconception that urban living equates to crowded downtown chaos. It argues that many people's experience of city life is skewed by their visits to bustling central business districts, rather than the quieter, denser residential neighborhoods where most urbanites live. The speakers share their personal experiences living in Toronto and Montreal, highlighting the calm and peaceful aspects of dense urban neighborhoods, and discuss the importance of distinguishing between downtown living and the more tranquil residential areas that offer a different, yet authentic, city experience.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Advocates for low-density living often contrast their peaceful environments with the perceived chaos of city centers, but this overlooks the reality of urban living for many.
• 🌆 People outside of cities may have a skewed perception of urban living, as their experiences are often limited to downtown areas during specific events or work.
• 🏘️ Urban residents typically live in dense residential neighborhoods outside of downtown, which are not commonly visited by suburbanites or out-of-towners.
• 🗼 The prominence of downtown landmarks in the minds of those unfamiliar with city life can lead to misconceptions about what daily life in a city is like.
• 🎓 The speakers' personal experiences growing up outside of cities and later moving to Toronto and Montreal provided them with insights into the differences between suburban and urban living.
• 🚲 While acknowledging the appeal of downtown convenience, the speakers find the combination of residents, commuters, and visitors can be overwhelming and less peaceful than residential neighborhoods.
• 🚶‍♂️ Quiet, calming spaces are often more accessible in dense urban neighborhoods than in downtown areas, which can be crowded and noisy.
• 🚲 Despite living in dense urban areas, the speakers found their neighborhoods to be calm and peaceful, contrasting with the noise and commotion of downtown.
• 🏡 The speakers argue that dense residential neighborhoods can provide a peaceful environment and should not be restricted from development to maintain density.
• 🚗 Traffic and car-related noise are significant contributors to downtown commotion, and minimizing this can help maintain a calm environment in urban neighborhoods.
• 🌳 The script emphasizes that preferences for living environments vary greatly, and the experiences of visitors to a city do not fully represent the range of urban living possibilities.

Q & A

Why do people from outside of cities often have a skewed perception of urban living?

People from outside of cities often have a skewed perception of urban living because their experience with city life is mostly limited to 'downtown' areas, which are typically crowded and chaotic, rather than the dense residential neighborhoods where most urbanites actually live.

What is the common misconception about city life based on the experiences of people who grew up outside of cities?

The common misconception is that city life is synonymous with the busy and noisy downtown areas, whereas in reality, urban living often includes peaceful and calm residential neighborhoods that are quite different from the downtown experience.

How does the speaker's initial perception of Toronto change after moving there for grad school?

The speaker initially associates city life with downtown landmarks like the CN Tower, but after moving to Toronto and living in different apartments, they realize that downtown feels like a different world and that there are many other parts of the city that offer a different experience.

What is the difference between downtown living and living in dense urban neighborhoods according to the script?

Downtown living is often characterized by high levels of activity, noise, and a mix of residents, commuters, tourists, and other visitors. In contrast, dense urban neighborhoods, while still having a high concentration of residents, can offer a more peaceful and calm environment with less commotion.

Why do the speakers not prefer downtown living despite advocating for urbanism?

The speakers find downtown living can be overwhelming due to the high concentration of people and activities. They prefer the calm and peaceful environment of dense residential neighborhoods, which offer a more balanced urban experience.

What are some of the issues associated with living in downtown areas as mentioned in the script?

Issues associated with downtown living include noise, lack of quiet spaces, property crime, and the stress and commotion caused by heavy car traffic.

How do the speakers describe their experience living in the Annex and Harbord Village area in Toronto and the Plateau in Montreal?

The speakers describe their experience as remarkably calm and peaceful, with lively commercial streets balanced by quiet residential streets, and no significant noise or commotion problems encountered in their residential areas.

Why might the speakers argue that dense residential neighborhoods should not block new development to cap density?

The speakers argue that dense residential neighborhoods are far from becoming as busy as downtown areas and that with proper planning, including traffic calming measures and prioritizing walking, cycling, and transit, these neighborhoods can house more people without losing their calm and relaxing environment.

What is the role of amenities in attracting people to downtown areas and potentially causing commotion?

Amenities such as stadiums, shopping malls, and office towers draw people in from all over the region, contributing to the commotion in downtown areas. Small-scale amenities, however, are less likely to cause the same level of activity.

How do the speakers suggest making downtown areas more calming and relaxing despite large numbers of people?

The speakers suggest implementing traffic calming measures, creating pedestrian streets, and prioritizing accessibility through walking, cycling, and transit to reduce car traffic and its associated stress and commotion.

What is the main message the speakers want to convey about the range of urban living experiences?

The main message is that there is a wide range of urban living experiences beyond just downtown and suburban living. Dense urban neighborhoods can offer a more peaceful and calm environment that is often misunderstood by those who have not experienced it.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Downtown Misconceptions

This paragraph addresses the common misconception that urban living is synonymous with the crowded and chaotic downtown experience. It argues that people from outside cities often base their perception of city life on their visits to the central business district, which is not representative of the quieter, denser residential neighborhoods where most urbanites live. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, including a humorous story about the significance of the CN Tower in their perception of Toronto. The paragraph also acknowledges the downsides of downtown living, such as noise, crime, and lack of tranquil spaces, and contrasts this with the calmer, more peaceful experience of living in urban neighborhoods like the Annex in Toronto and the Plateau in Montreal.

05:03

🌳 Urban Density and Tranquility

The second paragraph delves into the idea that dense urban neighborhoods can be just as peaceful and quiet as suburban areas, dispelling the notion that density inherently leads to commotion. It discusses the speaker's personal experiences living in the Annex and Harbord Village in Toronto and the Plateau in Montreal, highlighting the balance between lively commercial streets and quiet residential areas. The paragraph also touches on the unique challenges of downtown living, such as traffic and the influx of visitors, and suggests that with proper urban planning, including traffic calming measures and prioritizing non-car modes of transportation, dense neighborhoods can maintain a serene environment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the variety within urban living experiences and the need for a nuanced discussion beyond the binary of downtown versus suburban life.

Keywords

💡Low Density Living

Low density living refers to a lifestyle characterized by fewer people per unit area, typically found in suburban or rural settings. In the video, this concept is juxtaposed with urban living, especially downtown areas, to highlight the perceived tranquility and space that suburban life offers in contrast to the crowded and chaotic nature of city centers.

💡Downtown

Downtown is the central business district of a city, often associated with high-density living, commercial activity, and cultural attractions. The video script uses 'downtown' to represent the stereotypical urban environment that people from outside cities might associate with city life, which is often crowded and busy.

💡Urban Living

Urban living encompasses the lifestyle and experiences of residing in a city, which can vary greatly from the bustling downtown areas to quieter residential neighborhoods. The video aims to correct the skewed perception of urban living by emphasizing that not all city life is synonymous with the downtown experience.

💡Residential Density

Residential density refers to the number of housing units or people living in a given area. The video discusses how downtown areas have a high residential density, but also points out that there are dense urban neighborhoods outside of downtown that offer a different living experience, being calmer and more peaceful.

💡Skewed Perception

A skewed perception is a distorted or biased view of something. In the context of the video, it refers to the misconception that all urban living is chaotic and crowded like downtown areas, which is not the case for many urban residents who live in quieter, denser neighborhoods.

💡Central Business District (CBD)

The central business district is the commercial and cultural heart of a city, where many businesses and offices are concentrated. The script mentions that the CBD takes up a disproportionate amount of space in people's perception of city life, overshadowing the quieter residential neighborhoods.

💡Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods are smaller, localized areas within a city, each with its own character and community. The video script contrasts downtown with other urban neighborhoods, such as the Annex in Toronto and the Plateau in Montreal, to illustrate that there are calm and peaceful areas within cities that are not as chaotic as downtown.

💡Commuting

Commuting refers to the regular travel between home and work or other destinations. In the script, it is mentioned as one of the activities that brings people from the suburbs to the city's downtown areas, contributing to the crowded and busy atmosphere.

💡Property Crime

Property crime involves the unlawful taking or damaging of property. The video mentions property crime as a concern in downtown areas, suggesting that while it may not be as violent as in some U.S. cities, it is still a factor that contributes to the less desirable aspects of downtown living.

💡Traffic Calming

Traffic calming refers to measures taken to slow down vehicle traffic in certain areas to improve safety and reduce noise. The video suggests that neighborhoods can maintain a calm environment by implementing traffic calming measures, emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly streets.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in urban planning refers to the ease with which people can reach places using various modes of transportation. The script highlights the importance of prioritizing accessibility through walking, cycling, and transit in urban neighborhoods to create a more relaxed and less chaotic living environment.

Highlights

People from outside cities often have a skewed perception of urban living due to limited exposure to downtown areas.

Central business districts disproportionately influence perceptions of city life.

Many suburbanites only experience the financial district or event centers in cities.

Dense residential neighborhoods outside downtown offer a different, often calmer urban experience.

The narrator's move to Toronto revealed a significant difference between downtown and nearby neighborhoods.

Even neighborhoods close to downtown, like the University of Toronto area, feel distinct from the central business district.

The narrators understand the aversion to downtown living due to its overwhelming nature.

Despite not preferring downtown living, the narrators advocate for urbanism.

Neighborhoods like the Annex in Toronto and the Plateau in Montreal offer a balanced urban experience.

These neighborhoods have lively commercial streets but also quiet residential areas.

Suburban areas have their own noise issues, like loud machinery and larger vehicles.

Blocking new development to cap density in urban neighborhoods isn't necessarily justified.

Downtown commotion is influenced by more than just residential density; amenities and car traffic play major roles.

Reducing car traffic and prioritizing pedestrian-friendly areas can enhance urban calmness.

The narrators emphasize the variety of dense living experiences beyond downtown areas.

Transcripts

In advocating for low density living, people often  contrast their peaceful suburbs and quiet small  

towns with the crowds and chaos of “downtown”,  especially if they live close to a big city with a  

major central business district that’s a regional  destination. In this video we want to propose that  

people from outside of cities tend to have a  skewed perception of urban living and density  

because their experience with city life is  mostly with “downtown” in the most literal sense.  

When they go to the city, they’re commuting to  a job in the financial district or they’re going  

to an event at a downtown stadium or convention  centre, typically with lots of other suburbanites  

and out-of-towners. They’re generally not visiting  the countless dense residential neighbourhoods  

outside of downtown where most urbanites  actually live and spend most of their time.

The disproportionate amount of space taken  by the central business district in people's  

perception of city life is something we’ve seen  from other people but also experienced ourselves.  

We both grew up well outside of cities  and for quite a few years didn’t have  

a great sense of what it was  actually like to live in one.  

When I first moved to Toronto for grad school I  talked to someone about an apartment opportunity  

in a house and I remember asking whether they  could see the CN Tower from their street.  

They found that funny because the CN Tower is just  not something they think about on a daily basis  

but the city’s downtown landmarks were such a big  part of my perception of the city. After moving  

to a different apartment nearby I realised  just how much downtown actually feels like  

a different world, even though it was still kind  of cool that you could sometimes see the CN Tower.  

This was near the University of Toronto, which is  only 2 or 3 kilometres from downtown. There are  

lots of other dense urban neighbourhoods further  away that feel even more removed from downtown.

We actually understand the aversion that  many people have to downtown living.  

In both Toronto and Montreal, we often went  downtown for things we needed or just to explore,  

but it wouldn’t be our first choice for where  to wake up every day. Many people enjoy the  

unparalleled convenience but we find it can be  overwhelming when you combine the residents,  

commuters, tourists, and other visitors, including  people coming to the central city just to be  

loud and express their views, like protesters and  preachers. There also usually isn’t as much quiet,  

calming space immediately accessible, whether  quiet streets or parks. Canadian downtowns  

don’t have the associations with violence  that many central cities in the U.S. have,  

but property crime can be an issue and it’s  probably not a coincidence that the year we  

lived on the edge of downtown Toronto was the  year one of our bikes got chopped up and stolen.

It might seem funny that the people behind  an urbanism channel aren’t big proponents  

of (quote-unquote) “downtown living” but the part  of the city we’re talking about, with the biggest  

concentration of residential density, office  towers, and attractions for tourists and visitors,  

is actually pretty small. That’s not what city  life is for most people. You can live two or  

three kilometres away, sometimes even less, and  have an entirely different experience. The two  

neighbourhoods we have the most experience with,  the Annex and Harbord Village area in Toronto  

and the Plateau in Montreal, are good examples  but we could list dozens of other comparable  

neighbourhoods, like the Golden Triangle in Ottawa  and the West End in Vancouver. All of these areas  

are quite dense, housing four to eight times more  people than a typical suburban neighbourhood.

But to focus on the Plateau and the Annex,  where we have the most experience living,  

neither of these neighbourhoods felt crowded,  noisy, and overwhelming in the way that the  

two cities’ downtowns sometimes did. Both  had lively commercial streets with bars,  

restaurants, and shops, and these could definitely  get busy at times, but they were also balanced out  

by so many quiet residential streets that you  could easily walk to or live on if you prefer.  

In both neighbourhoods, we lived on residential  streets two or three hundred metres from the  

main commercial streets and basically did not  encounter noise or commotion problems at all.  

Well, until the Montreal Canadiens  made it to the Stanley Cup Finals  

and the entire city went absolutely crazy,  and a nearby apartment got gutted from a fire.  

Ok, that doesn’t sound great, but you have to give  Montreal some leeway for hockey. Aside from that,  

our experience living in these dense urban  neighbourhoods was remarkably calm and peaceful,  

no less so than in the suburbs. In some ways there  was more peace and quiet because suburban areas  

have their own noise issues, like large dogs,  loud machinery like lawn mowers and leaf blowers,  

and the bigger, noisier cars and trucks  that are more common in the suburbs.

We’ve said that we prefer the environment of a  dense residential neighbourhood over downtown,  

which raises the question of whether  that’s a good reason to block new  

development in these neighbourhoods  to cap density and avoid becoming  

downtown. The Annex in Toronto is always  in the news trying to block development.  

Is that legitimate? They’ll note that  they’re already fairly dense, which is true,  

at least by suburban standards, but they have a  very long way to go before they become downtown,  

and they’re less dense than the Montreal  neighbourhoods that we also find very calm.

On top of this, downtown is far more than  just residential density. Unless you have the  

big amenities that draw people in from all over  the region in the middle of your neighbourhood,  

like stadiums and shopping  malls and office towers,  

it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll end up with  the same level of commotion. Even small-scale  

amenities won’t do that — we had a cafe,  bookstore, small grocery store, and music  

conservatory in the middle of our residential  neighbourhood in Montreal and it was pretty sweet.

Finally, a big part of the commotion of downtown  is all the cars driving through — substantial  

car traffic adds stress and commotion to a  place like almost nothing else, especially  

if there’s honking. If a neighbourhood minimizes  that with traffic calming and pedestrian streets,  

and they prioritize accessibility through  walking, cycling, and transit instead,  

they can house a lot more people while still  providing a calm and relaxing environment.  

Changes like that could be used to make actual  downtown a more calming and relaxing place  

even with large numbers of people,  although that’s a different video.

Obviously not everyone has the same  preferences and tolerances as us.  

Some people thrive in a bustling downtown  environment and other people want nothing  

more than to live in the middle of the woods far  from anyone else. We just want to point out that a  

lot of people from outside the city, including us  at one point, don’t really know what it’s like to  

live in a dense urban neighbourhood because their  main experience with a bigger denser city is as a  

visitor, maybe coming in on a crowded highway and  having trouble finding parking, then going to the  

downtown attractions at the same time as lots  of other commuters, suburbanites, and visitors.  

These things are part of city life, urbanites  often go to these events too, but it’s just one  

small slice of city life. Something really gets  lost when we debate “downtown living” compared to  

“suburban or small town living” because there’s  a very wide range of possibilities in between.

Thanks for watching through to the end of  the video. Don’t forget that dense living  

comes in many forms, and subscribe. A special  thanks goes out to our supporters on Patreon.