Toronto's Underground Labyrinth
2 days ago
- #urban-planning
- #transportation
- #infrastructure
- Toronto's Path is a 30+ km pedestrian tunnel network connecting metro stations and office buildings, developed piecemeal by businesses.
- Unlike typical underpasses, the Path is clean, well-decorated, and functions like a high-end shopping mall, enhancing downtown mobility.
- The Path alleviates street congestion by diverting pedestrians underground, freeing space for vehicles, bikes, and public transit without harming street life.
- Its unique economics stem from high value to landowners and spatial efficiency, allowing incremental expansion without congestion.
- Similar systems exist in Montreal, Tokyo, and other cities, but pedestrian metros remain rare globally, raising questions about replicability.