More cities in Canada dabble with pedestrian-only streets

The New York Times quoted Kelly Gregg in a story reporting that more Canadian cities, including Toronto and Montreal, are dabbling with pedestrian-only streets. Operating outdoors was the safer option at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and businesses became open to seeing the street as more than a place to park, said Gregg, who began researching pedestrianized streets during her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. “It did accelerate the willingness of cities to experiment with pedestrian and public space design ideas,” she said. “Toronto adapted really well during Covid,” Gregg said, adding that curbside cafes and dining options provided a lifeline to businesses, allowing them to run under strict lockdowns and physical distancing.