two of its key central waterfront agencies (Ontario Place, a family-oriented tourism and entertainment destination, and the Convention Centre) for sale.
The private sector is responding to these opportunities through the various government tender call processes, with both local and international investors showing interest. Although the tender processes are not yet completed it appears likely that the most strategic development blocks along the central Toronto waterfront soon will be in private hands.
This is not a cause for concern, as far as the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is concerned.
In fact we welcome it, because the waterfront principles promoted by the Trust have become generally accepted. Public access to the waterfront is well-secured; the Waterfront Trail is in place and additions and enhancements to it and to the linked chain of waterfront parks continue to be put in place.
There are now expectations of $2 to 3 billion of investment in the central waterfront area over the near to medium term as Toronto gears for the millennium and for an Olympic bid. The smaller waterfront communities in the region also have their plans in place for their investment shares.
4. IDEAS
So what ideas might a Canadian (a Torontonian) have to offer his Japanese colleagues on ways they might add to their impressive waterfront plans and developments?
There are perhaps three things to say, and in each case one can find Japanese examples of the point being made. In other words, the answers are already evident in Japanese experience and only need to be more broadly appreciated and applied.
As well, the suggestions are based on the clear recognition and firm conviction that each waterfront city must express its own spirit and character, and follow its own destiny.
4 a. Scale
The first comment has to do with the immense scale on which land reclamation and waterfront development are occurring. The larger schemes such as Tokyo Bay and Yokohama convey a powerful sense of corporatism. It is much less evident where the scale is more intimate, for example Hakata, where one reaches the new waterfront simply by crossing the street from the older city, or in the case of Fukuoka where one reaches the new dome, hotel, pier and beach by traversing new city streets and housing areas.
