Duncan Rae

Bsky: | Design and Urbanism Consulting in Canada’s Capital | Your city should be designed around you, not cars.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

This could be #Ottawa’s Bank Street of the near future.

By keeping select parking spaces for accessibility, deliveries, and quick-stops, and using the rest of that space for people (in the same 18m), it’s amazing what one of our most popular destinations could become.

[Jarrett Walker @humantransit]

Hear me out: trees, chairs, restaurants, micro-playgrounds. Cities need space for people, and the only space that we're not using efficiently is the street.

[Mark R. Brown, AICP, CNU @CompletedStreet]

I see a lot of traffic lane repurposing opportunities in NYC's future.

[Hayden @the_transit_guy]

If a neighborhood or city in the United States was built today to look like this, it would sell out before construction is finished.

[Brandon Donnelly @donnelly_b]

No stepbacks. Extruded box. This simple building typology is the workhorse of so many great cities.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@DevineSean It’s exciting indeed, as long as the alternatives are viable & pleasant.

Thankfully, NYC knows this! The best part about the program is that revenues are allocated to the NYC subway network, improving safety and reliability.

Can’t wait to see how this’ll transform their city.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@_MarkSutcliffe @DevineSean @OC_Transpo Don’t jinx it!!! 😅 But yes, Line 2 is proving itself quite well right now. Choosing the Stadler FLIRT trains was the right decision — we should build more lines using them!

[Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau]

There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

Took #Ottawa Line 2 today, it was a chilly 5AM morning but I wouldn’t dare miss the opening!

Such a great train — smooth, fast, comfortable.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@Cobylefko Now this is what we need more of! Simple and elegant. (IMO Especially that second pic.) 😍

[News from TransLink @TransLinkNews]

Ever see a bus lane and thought it looked empty? Think again! Each bus lane can move more people per minute faster than a typical lane for cars.

💡 Learn more at https://t.co/DCfO88F37H

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@DevineSean Thanks Sean! 😃

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

A rule I live by: I’ll never design an area or building I wouldn’t want to live in myself.

Here’s a woonerf design I’m working on for a typical 8m wide by 50m long street.

It’s part of something I’m calling the ‘Mosaic Grid System’ 😍

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@earthcurve89 Yep! The 2nd pic is the original render for the Baseline BRT. However, because of the very high costs of expropriation & road rebuild, from inception to completion will probably take ~2 decades. (~2012 to ~2033). All so we don't take away a car lane, even if just temporarily.🫤

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

Hey #Ottawa, did you know?

In September 2023, the most popular bus route *by far* was the 88 on Baseline, clocking in at 4.7% of ALL weekly bus trips!

After that are Routes 6 & 7.

The time for bus lanes on Baseline Road and Bank Street is now.

Source: OC Transpo via FOI req.

[Duncan Rae @duncrae]

@JakeLandauTO I think Ottawa definitely could and should hope for a subway under Bank Street, but I believe bus lanes are the best solution to solve problems quickly and efficiently right now.

[Mark R. Brown, AICP, CNU @CompletedStreet]

North America is the only region of the world with an auto mode share over 50%.

You can thank massive amounts of government spending on automobile infrastructure.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

It's impossible. Until it isn't.

Unlike some party leaders, I'm not going to be satisfied with second place.

I'm in it to defeat this Government & replace them with a government that gives a damn

In the words of Jack Layton: Don't ever let them tell you it can't be done.

[Epic Maps 🗺️ @theepicmap]

The Danger of Minimalist Design

(& the death of detail)

A short thread...

[Coby @Cobylefko]

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating out there!

This year, I'm grateful for all of you, and the many places that give me optimism for the future of our built environment!

In this spirit, below are some of my favorite recent buildings and projects!

[alex 🇨🇦🍉 @BiniIrl]

bro i’m Inside Leitrim Station Bro