Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto
The picture above is a 360 degree, tilt, pan and zoom photo
of the PATH system. Be sure to see it in full screen and move the image around
to get a great impression of this part of the underground complex.
The underground path system in Toronto started in 1917 when
five tunnels were dug in the center of the city and then Union Station, the
main railway station, was opened in 1927 and connected to the Royal York Hotel. Finally the current complex was started in
the 1970s leading to a length of approximately 30 km or 17 miles.
 |
| Toronto PATH system from flickr under licence |
The present system connects Toronto City Hall, grocery
stores, three schools, five condos, five subway stations, six hotels, six
cultural sites, over fifty office towers as well as 1200 retail stores.
One of the criticisms of the complex is its maze like design
due to local commercial additions without an overall definition of expansion
and the difficult signage interpretation. Colour codes for directions of the
compass are not often useful and visitors often feel as if they‘re trapped in a
labyrinth without an exit.
The map below is a representation of the master plan for the
expansion of the PATH system from its current 30 km of underground walkways to
almost 60 km. in the future making it by far the largest complex of its type in
the world.
 |
| Master Plan |
The future goal is not just to link more buildings and
public facilities, but also to connect with nearby public spaces and parks,
such as Berczy Park and the Queen's Quay/Waterfront area. Hospitals will also
be connected and one will able to live, work and play in downtown Toronto
during inclement weather without being exposed to the elements which is great
considering the large variation in temperature of Toronto during the year from
freezing cold to very hot.
The picture below is a 360 degree, tilt, pan and zoom photo
of the PATH system. Be sure to see it in full screen and move the image around
to get a great impression of this part of the underground complex.
Allen Lambert Galleria, Toronto in Toronto
No comments:
Post a Comment