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The other day, I received in the mail a notice of public consultation for the proposed Etobicoke-Finch West Light Rail Transit. Light Rail Transit picked my interest, but soon afterwards I realized they’re talking about streetcars. The rational for moving to streetcars from buses isn’t well defined apart from the fact that they run on electricity. Even in the planning study notice, City of Toronto writes:

Modern, environmentally-sustainable LRT service will support the growing travel needs of people who live and work in the Finch West Corridor and beyond, and will also make the street livelier, more attractive, and more people-friendly.

It is tough to argue streetcars wouldn’t be environment friendly (as long as the supplied electricity came from environment friendly power generation): however this proposal falls flat on other levels. Continue reading to find out why.

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When is a building too tall? Dubai Tower, currently the world’s tallest building, is still under construction but the projection is for the final height to be 2,300 ft with 160 storeys (already impressive given that Toronto’s CN Tower, the previous world’s tallest free-standing structure was just 1,815 ft). Now word comes that Saudi Arabia wants the world’s tallest building in its country. Owner of Savoy Hotel has unveiled a plan for a 5,250 ft tower which will almost double the height of Dubai Tower.

This £5 billion project will involve 2 British engineering consultancies, the building is planned for a new city near Jeddah and it will be supported by 2 smaller towers (at around 800 ft). Only time will tell if this gigantic monstrosity can actually get off the ground.