Sign in

Marta O'Brien

@archhistory.bsky.social
2K followers 490 following 2.6K posts

Architectural historian. Passionate pedestrian & former cyclist, so road safety! City & provincial politics. Lifelong renter in Toronto.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Julie S. Lalonde @julieslalonde.bsky.social · 6h
Lot of conversations about Good Men™️and to this day, I don't think there's a better takedown of them than this speech Hannah Gadsby gave back in '18 at the height of #MeToo (Starts in earnest about 1 minute into the video)
youtu.be
Hannah Gadsby Full Speech: "The Good Men" & Misogyny | Women in Entertainment
YouTube video by The Hollywood Reporter
14114
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tyler Watt @tylerwatt.bsky.social · 6h
The FAO says Ontario will be $2 billion short just to maintain CURRENT health care services. I asked Minister Jones a simple question: yes or no, will there be service cuts? She deflected. I asked again. She never answered. #onpoli
3189
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
CPAC TV @cpac.ca · 14h
In partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and APTN, CPAC will broadcast the national commemorative gathering Remembering the Children. 🕐 Watch live Wednesday, September 30, starting at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. www.cpac.ca #truthandreconciliation #everychildmatters
01714
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
f0rcryin0utl0ud 🇨🇦 @f0rcryin0utl0ud.bsky.social · 5h
We should be doing this across the country. We should be adopting France's rules that it is ILLEGAL to dump perfectly fine food (& clothing) in the dump & that these grocery stores/clothing stores that overload our landfills should be required to donate to food banks, shelters etc.
0185
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Canadian Paintings @canadianpaintings.bsky.social · 5h
Close to Shore Mike Gough 2022
09818
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
a Page in your life 🍁📎 @sailorgirl2017.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I concur. I never heard about residential schools during my entire education. What a shame. What a disservice. To all of us. gem.cbc.ca/the-secret-p...
gem.cbc.ca
The Secret Path: Ahead By A Century | Short format | CBC Gem
When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report into the history of Canada's residential school system, it made 94 recommendations to repair the harm caused by residen...
145019
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Debbie Iron Bow @ironbow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
As a child of a survivor of these hellish places called residential school, I can tell you with everything in me that the children who survived told the truth. Everything they said and what they didn't say, happened. We lived with the shell of the humans who came back. We know what they experienced.
518767
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Dylan Reid @dylanreid.bsky.social · 5h
"The TTC has said the busway ... was completed early and under budget." Let's hype that as much as we hype delays and over-budget projects. This is the kind of competence in transit projects we're looking for. www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-f...
thestar.com
Here’s a first look at the Scarborough busway. For residents, it follows years of sluggish commutes
The new Scarborough busway will open this week and will run from Kennedy Station to Scarborough Centre, three years after the Scarborough RT was decommissioned.
13614
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 10h
parents talk to your sons about what is going on. It is your job to guide them and for them to hear from you and understand the importance of their presence to stand up for what is right especially in the face of everyone doing wrong.
28113
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Canadian Architect @canadianarchitect.bsky.social · 10h
Created to commemorate Mount Pleasant Group’s bicentennial, Yesterday. Today. Forever. is a series of free, site-specific installations open to the public throughout 2026, with select components continuing into 2027.
canadianarchitect.com
10 Toronto cemeteries become sites for architecture, art and history
Mount Pleasant Group and Space for GriefTM have created free, outdoor displays across 10 cemeteries in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), featuring public art, nature, and elements of Toronto's history. ...
143
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Kathryn @katkyns.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I hope the outrage about this and coverage includes the fact that many other men were in that group chat and none of them called the police.
524522
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
i hope that men notice how whenever a rape story gets widespread coverage, women use it as an opportunity to vent about how fucking disgusting we think many of you are and how many have made our lives measurably worse, and take a few moments to deeply process that.
9764271087
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Toronto Environmental Alliance @toenviro.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Time for some election fact checking on Toronto's water budget. We heard a claim from candidate Brad Bradford today that implied that the City's capital reserve fund for water infrastructure like sewers, pipes, and water treatment is unnecessary. This is dangerous and short-sighted. 1/4 #topoli
1138
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tabatha Southey🇨🇦 @tabathasouthey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"They include — contrary to the premier’s anti-Trump rhetoric — a form enabling U.S. firms to participate." Doug Ford isn’t even promising to buy local vandalism.
25331
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tyler Watt @tylerwatt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I asked the Health Minister about nurses and health care workers being laid off across Ontario. She didn’t answer. Throughout committee, she blamed the federal government, blamed the previous Liberal government from eight years ago, and avoided answering questions. #onpoli
1611255
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Charlie Angus @charlieangus104.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A Canadian response to the convicted felon in the White House who claims that Canada will come pleading for a deal and say, "Sir, we're sorry." That ain't ever gonna happen. @meidascanada.ca
68997285
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Graeme Bayliss @gbayliss.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I wrote about Premier Doug Ford's apparent indifference to human life for @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
thestar.com
Graeme Bayliss: His cyclist friend was killed. Why did Doug Ford’s response include ‘lmao’?
No one is expecting the premier to mash out the Bixby letter on his iPhone. Yet we might expect more than this.
1019298
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Steve Chambers @planningtransport.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Thanks for reminding me of this.
A short history of traffic engineering show walk, cycle, transit and car routes over time with cycling and walking getting worse.
112132
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Gil Penalosa @penalosag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
TREES and EQUITY in Cities. In most, upper income areas have 3+ times more trees than lower income areas. Why? It's health, env., shade, beauty... It's not tech of $$ issue: it's POLITICAL. 'Mamdani marks NYC’s biggest 10 yr tree-planting' Most in vulnerable neighborhoods Planetizen: bit.ly/4hRIxb7
053
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tim Ellis, TDSB Ward 2 candidate 🍁 @djdynamic.ca · 28/09/2026
Must-read article. We have to restore local control to the TDSB and end Ford's chaos.
295
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 28/09/2026
The countdown is on for a traffic-free Oxford Street. Monday 26 October marks a new chapter for the nation’s high street as it becomes pedestrianised.
22681128
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Xela Hart @xelahart.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
330212866337
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 25/09/2026
@onecityvan.bsky.social posted their housing platform. Lots to like: more housing options, more non market housing, better support for renters. Also, they're calling for affordable & accessible flats (like our Four/Five prototype 👇) to be allowed everywhere we already allow plexes and large homes.
47818
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Meg @roaringmeg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
#Misericords Christchurch Priory #Hampshire
0112
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026
This morning — following two investigations into Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford's use of an app that rewards supporters for posting AI-generated comments and sharing contacts — Bradford called our reporting "inaccurate." We're now releasing the recording that proves our reporting.
nationalobserver.com
Bradford calls CNO reporting of AI app rewards ‘inaccurate.’ Here’s the recording proving our reporting.
Canada’s National Observer has decided to publish the segment of the Zoom call that corroborates its reporting.
4329163
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Toronto Boris @torontoboris.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Teepee's and the municipal palace of bureaucracy. National day for Truth and Reconciliation is this week on Sept 30th. #TOphoto #EastCoastKin #Toronto #OrangeShirtDay
A decorated teepee in the middle of the water fountain pond in front of city hall.View over Nathan Philips Square.
25410
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Spacing @spacing.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the contract to rip out Toronto’s bike lanes Spacing has obtained the RFP for the Ford government's bike lane removal, and it looks even worse than thought. spacing.ca/toronto/2026... #toronto #bikes #torontobike @cycletoronto.bsky.social
spacing.ca
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the contract to rip out Toronto's bike lanes - Spacing Toronto
After the Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA) shot down CycleTO’s legally innovative charter challenge that sought to stop Doug Ford’s attack on the city’s bike lanes, Queen’s Park wasted little time befor...
1114179
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
left-shark politics @andrewctenor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I have a better idea, let’s scour the government for folk who seem intent on promoting conservative American values. Do we know anyone like that we can chuck out?
082
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Oliver Moore @oliver-moore.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think the government and military *should* be opposed to fascism globalnews.ca/news/1168850...
globalnews.ca
Conservative MP searches for ‘antifa’ in federal government, Canadian Armed Forces - National | Globalnews.ca
Federal departments and the Canadian Armed Forces must answer by April how many members of anti-fascist groups work for the public service and the military.
159831
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Meg @roaringmeg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Doulton pottery building in Vauxhall. #Architecture #London
2688
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
JeffTrnka @jefftrnka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
910235
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
JeffTrnka @jefftrnka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
411843
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
CondimentGrrl aka Marcy @condimentgrrl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In honor of Maria Montez who sadly died of a heart attack at age 39. Heart attack symptoms in women can be different than in men. #TCMParty #CobraWoman
3115
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Ottawa Architecture Foundation @ottarchfoundation.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
📆 When: Monday, September 28th | 6:15 PM 📍 Where: Sunnyside Library in Program Room 1 (Basement) 🔗 Find future Ottawa Urbanism Book Club events here: ottawaurbanismbookclub.wordpress.com/events/ #BookRecommendation #OttawaEvents #OAF
ottawaurbanismbookclub.wordpress.com
Upcoming Events
September 28 at 6:15pm: We’ll be re-discussing Walkable City by Jeff Speck, originally discussed in October 2023. Meeting will be at Sunnyside Library in Program Room 1 (basement). October an…
012
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
On this day in 1962, Alouette 1 was launched. It was the first Canadian satellite, and the first satellite not constructed by the USA or Soviet Union. Launched to investigate the ionosphere, the mission lasted for 10 years but the satellite will remain in orbit for 1000 years.
A spacecraft with a geometric, polyhedral structure featuring solar panels, floating in space with stars in the background and several long, blue antenna-like extensions radiating outward.
07825
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Zero Vision Toronto @zerovisionto.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Two people injured after vehicle crashes into parked car, house in Toronto www.cp24.com/local/toront... #VisionZero #VisionZeroTO #ZeroVision #ZeroVisionTO #WalkTO #BikeTO #TOpoli #ActiveTO
cp24.com
Two people injured after vehicle crashes into parked car, house in Toronto
Police are investigating after two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision in Toronto’s west-end early Sunday morning.
011
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
John Pavlovitz @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
'Cornell’s Jane Doe Needed One Good Man In That House And That Group Chat. She Would Find None.' johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/cornells-j...
818686
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
John Pavlovitz @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Boys weaned on dudebro podcasts, twisted sexist theology, and the suspended adolescence of the Conservative manosphere have little chance of developing brains that evolve into mature adulthood... johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/if-theres-...
johnpavlovitz.substack.com
If There’s A Male Loneliness Epidemic, MAGA Masculinity Is The Reason.
We’re in the middle of a male loneliness epidemic, or so we’re told.
1117455
Marta O'Brien @archhistory.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
@toondreessen.bsky.social thought of you while in Distillery District today & saw John Fluevog store.
110
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Mike Eliason @holz-bau.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
a bankrupt autocentric society is not a given
0202
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
You take our bike lanes, we take the road. Toronto showed up Friday night. 📸 @geoffreybercarich via Instagram
Cyclists taking the lane stretching kms of a city street
211298238
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The elixir to civic cynicism is the Word on the Street festival. 1000s of book people & some celebrities. Runs till 5 or so. Come on down.
Skyline & fest Mayor at book table Panel discussion in tent
2526
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Kate North @curatorkate.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The stunning 12th century chancel arch, surrounded by a gorgeous backdrop of warm-toned limewash and lime plaster, in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Knotting, Bedfordshire 💕
436953
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Hyper-fast acceleration is dangerous as well as pointless. As I wrote in 2024, the 0-to-60 metric is outdated and needs to die. No driver on a public road needs to go from 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds. Even the slowest car on the market is more than quick enough.
fastcompany.com
How fast can a car go from 0 to 60? It really doesn't matter
The auto industry has pushed this metric for decades. But cars—especially EVs—are so fast that comparing the decimals is pointless and dangerous.
1115034
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
How-Sen Chong @how-sen.com · 27/09/2026
This tool from @observingthecity.ca is fantastic. It shows the traffic mode share by intersection using City data. Many downtown areas are dominated by pedestrians (in green). Yet *we still give most of the space to cars on almost every street.* www.observingthecity.ca/intersection...
Map of downtown area of Toronto. Pie charts show the mode share at every intersection.
413335
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A new client just contacted me after watching this podcast interview. They said they were attracted by the blunt title, “How To Actually improve A City.” Inspiration is very important, but ideas, action, leadership and much more persuasive communication are key to the urban change we badly need.
youtube.com
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
09323
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
This Many Years Ago @thismanyyearsago.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
64 years ago, on the 27th of September 1962, Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring was published. It handled the environmental harm caused by the pesticide DDT and the disinformation spread by the chemical industry. Carson managed to sway public opinion and even policy. #otd #history 🗃️
Rachel Carson photo credit: Science History Images / Alamy
7633351265
Marta O'Brien @archhistory.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Great morning walking from King & Yonge to St Lawrence market. After a browse & lunch there, walked to Distillery District. Once done there, up to King & Parliament then home. Fantastic day. Happy people of all ages everywhere. Lots of cute dogs. All outdoor seating had people on it. My city!
030
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
They tried their best to make the idea of having more things we want nearby, more options and choices in our cities and neighborhoods, seem like a conspiracy. But never forget what the REAL urban conspiracy has been — moving everything further away and making us car dependent. #1HourCityConspiracy
White text on black background reading “The real ‘urban conspiracy’ isn’t proximity, it’s distance. The ‘one hour city’ traps millions in long commutes, car dependency, and lost time. We need cities of proximity, time, and quality of life.” — @carlosmorenofr.bsky.social #UrbanTruth
414751
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Canadian Paintings @canadianpaintings.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Boreal Tale Joe Coffey 2026
014732