Comment: Do some of these things to help Victoria flourish in an unsettled era New housing is a pressing mandate, so upgrade lovely neighbourhoods by favouring building conversions and additions, rather than out-of-context packing-box structures. Chris Gower Jun 21, 2024 3:55 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message An image of a possible future Victoria downtown waterfront, showing Ship Point with a civic theatre or opera house, similar to what was recently suggested by architect Terence Williams, alongside an open festival plaza, a civic museum, and a landscaped amphitheatre. Listen to this article 00:06:32 A commentary by a local architect and urban design planner who has worked for more than 30 years in downtown Victoria.
Times of change and challenge are clearly underway for Victoria — what to do, where to look? As for others, a recent anniversary visit to Italy revealed a society that seems to live well — prudently, wisely — even in their own demanding circumstances. Throughout our month of travels, town after town featured Italians, with multitudes of visitors, thronging to enjoy beautiful historic, but modernized cities. Some homelessness no doubt, but hard to see, and little public misbehaviour — mostly good-spirited crowds, active daily throughout city centres of all sizes — districts full of independent shops, restaurants, fashions, street music and excellent public art, ancient and modern.
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