Take a look at the cranes in the downtown and across the GTA and you get the picture: More and more people are choosing to live in close quarters. High-rise living and other kinds of urban densification make for a dynamic, cosmopolitan city, better transportation options and less urban sprawl. But residents also worry about how the abundance of new development, especially high-rise towers, will affect the look and feel of Toronto's historic neighbourhoods. How can good design and planning help us strike a balance?
 
Following on last month's successful Feet & Wheels panel, Yonge Street's fourth public event will examine "density done right."  Toronto Star columnist Royson James will join us again as moderator. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A and a chance for attendees to mingle and exchange their own ideas.

OUR PANELISTS

SHIRLEY BLUMBERG
Born and educated in Cape Town, South Africa, Shirley Blumberg co-founded KPMB in 1987, a firm that has gained recognition as one of Canada's leading architectural practices, and has received more than 150 awards for design excellence, including 11 Governor General's Medals. Shirley's portfolio includes King James Place and the Design Exchange in Toronto. She has also played an active role in Toronto's cultural Renaissance as the partner-in-charge of Canada's National Ballet School, the Gardiner Museum and the TIFF Bell Lightbox for the Toronto International Film Festival.
 
GREGG LINTERN
Gregg Lintern is currently the director of the Toronto East York District with the city's planning office, an area that includes many of the big downtown development projects currently underway. Gregg was director of the Etobicoke York District from 2005 to 2010 and previously the manager for downtown Toronto from 2000 to 2005. In his 28 years as a planner, Gregg has a wide range of experience in both the city's inner suburban and urban neighbourhoods.
 
CHARLES ROSENBERG
Charles Rosenberg is a designer at Hilditch Architect and has played a primary role in the success of the firm since 1986. He has shepherded through many projects providing affordable housing, community health and support, including the recent reclamation of Governor's House as a facility for children with life-limiting illnesses. Prior to Hilditch Architect, Charles worked in a range of Toronto-based architectural firms before taking a position as head of design for major international development company, Monarch Developments, in the early 1980s.
 
The Yonge Street Speaker Series is sponsored by the Toronto Community Foundation and Waterfront Toronto.
 
 It's free and everyone is welcome. Please click here to register.
 
To make this Yonge Talks even more social, it will be a licensed, 19-plus event.
 
 The details
 Thursday, February 16
 Doors at 6:15pm; program starts at 6:40pm
 ING Direct Café, 221 Yonge Street, at the southeast corner of Shuter (please use Shuter Street entrance).
 
 We'll be using the hashtag #yongetalks for this series.