Have you ever taken a nap in public? Or have you only ever dreamed of it? Z's by the C is a public napping project - created by Calgary-based artists Eric Moschopedis and Mia Rushton - that strives to legitimize taking a snooze in public. The project is a reaction to the increasing privatization of our public spaces, including the implementation of by-laws banning loitering and curtailing who, how, and when we are allowed to use our spaces. Since its inception in 2008, Moschopedis and Rushton have been encouraging people to nap in Zürich, New York ...

Sometimes exploring a city means just shutting your eyes and listening. In this soundscape, Spacing producer Mieke Anderson takes you underground into the Glasgow subway system. Affectionately known as "the Clockwork Orange" because of its orange subway cars and circular route, Glasgow's underground dates back to 1896 making it the third oldest in the world. Recently, the city was considering shutting down parts of the system if they couldn't come up with the money for a massive modernization plan (the route itself hasn't changed in over a century). In April, an ...

Today is the final installment in our week-long G20 Special. A lot remains up for debate but we couldn't wrap up this particular discussion without drawing attention to the ways our public spaces were divided and designated into zones in order to control protesters (and residents), peaceful and otherwise. Tor Sandberg is the program director for Rabble TV and was in charge of coordinating their video coverage during the Summit. Sandberg met up with Spacing producer Mieke Anderson at Queen's Park, which only a few weeks ago was Toronto's only official ...

Discussion in the leadup to the G20 Summit took a far more serious and ominous turn on Friday, June 25, when the Toronto Star ran a front-page story about an amendment to the virtually unknown Public Works Protection Act. The change to the law, the Star reported, was passed quietly by the Provincial government, and gave the police broad powers. The amendment was brought to the Star’s attention by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), a group that distinguished itself as a steady and sober voice for the rights of ...

Spacing Radio is taking a closer look at the impact of the G20 Summit this week. One incident that stands out for many took place on Sunday, June 27th at the intersection of Queen and Spadina. Globe and Mail columnist Lisan Jutras was there and detained for hours in the pouring rain. Jutras spoke to Spacing Radio reporter Andrew Walsh about the experience. Links to stuff from Spacing Radio's G20 Special, pt. III: The Globe & Mail: Lisan Jutras column YouTube: Footage from Sunday June 27th at Queen & Spadina photo of Queen & Spadina siege ...

All this week, Spacing Radio is taking a closer look at the impact of the G20 Summit on our public spaces. But before going any further, we try and figure out what happened leading up to the G20. Today we talk to Toronto Councillor Adam Vaughan - one of the first Torontonians to find out we’d be hosting - about how and why our city was chosen as the venue. Links to stuff from Spacing Radio's G20 Special, pt. II: City of Toronto: Councillor Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity - Spadina)

Ever since the G20, Toronto's public spaces have felt different. Something has changed. All this week, Spacing Radio will be taking a closer look at the G20 Summit and its impact on the public realm. But we're not just looking back on that weekend, we're looking forward. Each day we'll be focusing on a particular debate: from the role of the police; to the extent of our civil liberties; to how much power the federal government should wield over our cities. Today, a few stories to get you thinking (and all riled up)! Stay tuned.

Finding a quiet space within our cities can be a challenge. One might even wonder if such a spot exists. London-based artist Simon Elvins decided to find out more about these overlooked urban spaces by mapping them in his project Silent London. Spacing producer Mieke Anderson caught up with Simon at one of his favorite quiet spots in the UK's capital, which turned out not to be so quiet. Links to stuff from Spacing Radio's Summer Shorts 012: Arkinet Blog: Silent London article Simon Elvins' homepage

Lights? Check. Pumped tires? Check. Helmet? Check. Okay, so many of us don't need to literally make a checklist every time we head off on our bicycles, but knowing how to dress appropriately, how to select a two-wheeler, as well as, some fun facts about the history of cycling can be key to a successful ride. And the younger we are when we learn these lessons the better. Reporter Andrew Walsh met up with author Laura Robinson to discuss her new children's book Cyclist Bikelist, featured in the Public Goods section ...

Nothing like closed doors, locked gates and sky-high cement walls to keep us out of some of our city's most interesting public spaces. Doors Open — a celebration held annually in cities around the globe — is all about letting us into these spaces, both public and private (and everywhere in between). Spacing reporter Andrew Walsh checked out two events that last weekend of May. In this SUMMER SHORT we get a sneak peak into the Toronto Transit Commission's Greenwood Maintenance Shop and then tag along on a ...