Imagine if Apple just let smart and capable developers write different parts of iPhone independently. It’d have a horrible collection of well designed software applications.  iPhone is popular because it’s good. It’s good because Apple controlled the experience (and still does). 

Old Quebec is one of my favourite places to visit in Canada.  It’s nearly perfect.  It was also no fluke. At the end of the 19th century people wanted to demolish the fortifications.  Governor Dufferin, showing foresight, successfully managed to preserve the character of the walled city.  He actually went further and made sure that expansions enhanced Quebec City’s charm.  I’ve written about it before. 

Leavenworth, Washington nearly died out until the 1960s when they decided to convert themselves into a (mock) Bavarian village.  I’ve visited it a number of times and you really do feel like you’ve entered a historic Bavarian village even though buildings merely have facades on them.  Solvang, California turned itself into a traditional Danish town and Winthrop, Washington (impressed with Leavenworth) adopted the American Old West theme. 

18th century development in Europe was specifically designed to appear attractive with aesthetics in mind. Just look at Beth, England.

Each of these stories has a theme.  In each case it was planners who started with a vision of what they wanted to see in their product or town. I’ve given my uncensored random thoughts on Milton’s urban planning.

What’s Milton’s vision? Where is Milton headed?  What would you like to see Milton transform into?  Milton only has two options: accept that its residents will enjoy a lower property value than people in Mississauga and Oakville; or give itself a unique character. 

Should Milton leave it to chance?