Led and developed by public space researcher Cara Chellew, Mapping DefensiveTO is the first of its kind to systematically map defensive urban design in Toronto’s public parks, squares, and privately owned, publicly accessible spaces (POPS). The goal of the project is to gather data on the extent and pervasiveness of defensive urban design in Toronto while inviting community members to rethink how their public spaces are designed, and for whom. Volunteers will be split into gr

How does urban design shape how we experience the city? While some features are meant to guide us, provide accessibility or keep us safe, others are meant to exclude.... This talk was presented at TEDxTartu at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, Estonia on November 3, 2018. http://tedxtartu.org/ #defensiveurbandesign #hostilearchitecture #defensivearchitecture #hostiledesign #unpleasantdesign #TEDx #TEDxTartu #Tartu #Estonia #publicspace #inclusivecities #urbandesign #incl

All around us, urban design shapes how we experience the city. It sets the stage for our everyday lives, from the large scale designs of city blocks to the human scale of a neighbourhood park. It's at the human scale where the placement, quality, and accessibility of public amenities matter the most. It’s unfortunate then, when Toronto’s public spaces (and the amenities within) are designed to be less than humane. From benches with a centre “armrest” that keeps homeless peopl

Next time you're in a public space take a look around and consider, who were your surroundings designed for? Cara Chellew discusses her new project #defensiveTO and the design strategy, defensive urban design on CBC Radio's Here and Now with Gill Deacon. This interview was recorded by CBC Radio and originally aired on Here and Now on February 14, 2018. #CBCradio #HereandNow #defensiveurbandesign #hostiledesign #Toronto #defensivearchitecture #defensiveTO #hostilearchitecture