Does the Greater Toronto Area becoming a megacity concern any of you? (2015, camp)
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I'm trying to get local perceptions to this prospect because I am curious.
Does the idea of Toronto becoming a megacity (a metropolis of 10 million or more people) concern any of you?
I figure some people would hate the increased traffic, congestion, strain on infrastructure, and other challenges that fast growth and large population present to a city. I would imagine the people in this camp would think that what comes with that size is not worth it.
I also think other people would value the increased global portfolio, the entrance of more brands, companies, retail, restaurants, services, airlines, jobs and other things that come with a big city, especially a megacity. I would imagine these people would think that what comes with that size is worth it.
Your thoughts?
Last edited by Trafalgar Law; 07-15-2016 at 01:49 PM..
Oops, I meant to vote Yes. Yes i think a GTA megacity would be awful.
Amalgamation was bad enough. We've seen the disastrous effects of trying to balance the needs of a dense urban core with the mostly suburban areas of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke. Rob Ford was a product of that tension and, IMO, it will always be there. All subway expansion since amalgamtion has occurred in these areas, despite the overcrowding of the subway downtown and the lack of money to build a relief line. This is just one of many issues. Now imagine balancing the needs of a dense urban core with a place like Mississauga or Brampton. No way. completely different areas with different needs and priorities. It would be a disaster.
Oops, I meant to vote Yes. Yes i think a GTA megacity would be awful.
Amalgamation was bad enough. We've seen the disastrous effects of trying to balance the needs of a dense urban core with the mostly suburban areas of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke. Rob Ford was a product of that tension and, IMO, it will always be there. All subway expansion since amalgamtion has occurred in these areas, despite the overcrowding of the subway downtown and the lack of money to build a relief line. This is just one of many issues. Now imagine balancing the needs of a dense urban core with a place like Mississauga or Brampton. No way. completely different areas with different needs and priorities. It would be a disaster.
I don't think he's referring the entire GTA amalgamating to form a single "mega" city, he simply means the Greater Toronto area growing to surpass 10 million people.
Oops, I meant to vote Yes. Yes i think a GTA megacity would be awful.
Amalgamation was bad enough. We've seen the disastrous effects of trying to balance the needs of a dense urban core with the mostly suburban areas of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke. Rob Ford was a product of that tension and, IMO, it will always be there. All subway expansion since amalgamtion has occurred in these areas, despite the overcrowding of the subway downtown and the lack of money to build a relief line. This is just one of many issues. Now imagine balancing the needs of a dense urban core with a place like Mississauga or Brampton. No way. completely different areas with different needs and priorities. It would be a disaster.
That's Ok, just double or triple the tax rate, problem solved
The megacity label is a benchmark. I think Toronto will easily pass that benchmark as a CMA, with its GTA, and obviously also with the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area as well.
2015 Population Estimate for Toronto CMA: 6,129,934
I also added up the 2015 population estimates for all of the areas that comprise of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Both as the GTA and as the Greater Golden Horseshoe, it should get there in a few decades. The Greater Golden Horseshoe Area, in particular, should cross 10 million within the next 10-15 years or less. The GTA is growing by around 100,000 people per year and has been doing so for quite a while now and the Toronto CMA is growing by over 85,000-90,000 people per year. Also quickly. Obviously the Toronto CMA will cross 10 million at a later point, later on as compared to the GTA and GGH.
I am not from Toronto or Ontario so I did not vote but I would have voted "Yes; the issues like traffic, congestion, lack of infrastructure, and other things bother me".
Honestly, as a former New Yorker I think that once a metro area reaches a certain size and has the great museums, arts, Broadway/West End, etc., any additional millions of people just add to the crowds and expense to the area.
In other words, London and New York would still be great cities if they were several million people less. They would have most of the same cultural activities they have now but would be less crowded and less expensive and probably have more green space.
I think Toronto could become a better city, including have more of the benefits of big cities, without actually getting much bigger than it currently is. Berlin, Barcelona and Montreal are smaller than Toronto but still do certain big city things better.
LOL... Toronto isn't a "megacity"... it's a standard North American metro city. But when I think "megacity," I think of global cities with populations of at least 10 million in the metro area -- and more like 20 million is becoming more common in the world today.
Tokyo has nearly 38 million residents.
Jakarta has 30 million.
Delhi has 25 million.
Manila 24 million.
Seoul 23 million.
Shanhai 23 million.
Karachi 22 million.
Beijing 22 million.
Lagos 21 million.
NYC-NJ-CT 20 million.
Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen 20 million. Or 44 million in the larger urban area, depending upon the measure criteria... China has 14 cities with urban metro populations larger than 10 million.
There are dozens of other cities worldwide with populations between 10 to 20 million.
Toronto is very far from a megacity. So get over it.
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