The Bentway public space in Toronto

“I particularly remember visiting The Bentway. The Bentway is a public space located in Toronto, Canada, which was transformed from a forgotten area under the Gardiner Expressway into a vibrant and innovative urban park. The quality of the built environment in the Bentway is notable for several reasons: A. Functionality: The Bentway is a functional space that provides several amenities and activities for visitors, including an a nice-skating trail in the winter, a public market, and outdoor art installations. The space is well-utilized and organized to meet the needs of its users. B. Aesthetic appeal: The design of the Bentway is visually appealing, featuring several architectural elements such as the wooden amphitheatre and the red metal arched frames that create a unique and dynamic urban landscape. C. Safety: The Bentway has been designed with safety in mind, with proper lighting, security cameras, and other safety measures that ensure the safety of its visitors. D. Accessibility: The Bentwayis accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, through the incorporation of features such as ramps and accessible washrooms. E. Sustainability: The Bentway incorporates several sustainable features, such as the use of permeable pavement, and the implementation of a green roof on the skate pavilion building that helps to reduce the park's environmental impact. Overall, the Bentway provides a positive experience of quality in the built environment in Toronto, offering a functional, safe, aesthetically pleasing, accessible and inclusive, and sustainable space that enhances the surrounding area and provides a unique and innovative urban park experience for its visitors.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.180). Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/ryxZHvmJD6x5WtW19