Interview+7+jess


 * Interview #7**

What do you think differentiates Kensington Market from other areas of Toronto?

//The market is different in a way that it focuses on that of an environmental outlook. I know that there is a car close to the China Town area and it contains plants (planted inside). This is a statement on the environment and it’s importance.//

What kind of activities do you engage yourself in this area?

//Here the shopper can find everything from bulk beans, whole fish, fresh cheese, fruit and vegetables, to vintage clothes and fine tailored men’s suits.//

How do you feel about different forms of traffic in the Kensington Market area? Do you think that traffic within this area should be limited specifically to vehicles, pedestrians, bikes, or other?

//It would be nice if there was less traffic. One thing that I can’t stand are cyclists on our walkways. You try to walk to get to a food mart and one of them comes zooming past your way. They should be limited. They should walk like every one else instead of taking up the walkway for their own use. With cyclists everyone has to move out of the way. On crowded days this becomes a hazard, people crowding each other to let the cyclist through.//

Do you find that there are conflicts in traffic flow, or traffic flow disruptions such as festivals, groupings of people or commercial vendors taking up street space? Are they justifiable?

//The traffic flow is mainly acceptable for us residences, we need our venders on the walkways to present what our stores have. People see these things and are curious to try a flavour out or see a ripe fruit and have the desire to buy it. All this because the fruit and clothing venders are outside on the walkways present for all to see instead of hidden away like a commercial grocery store. So to answer your question, yes our venders and festivals are justifiable to us because of those reasons.//

What do you like most about the Kensington Market area?

//Kensington is an original immigrant reception area or "port of entry" in Toronto. It is a cluster of services and programs in many different cultures. And that is what I like. I enjoy the fact that there is a little China Town to go to. I mean being an immigrant can be difficult in living in a new country due to the language barrier and ways of living though I got through. However, I am glad that there is part of my culture (China Town) that I can go to and feel somewhat at home. It is a comfort to know that there are other China descendants here.//

What could be improved upon within the market area? How’s your mapping? Does it assist in knowing what’s around the market?

//A good map system would be a good idea and a good organizational tool. It could help me to locate other places that I never really thought about. Another thing that could be improved on is security, especially at night. It would be good for those of us who close up shop late at night.//

Do you feel connected to your community, or isolated?

//Yes I feel that I am connected to my community. I never feel isolated because our community interacts with each other, we don’t seclude ourselves. However, there are some exclusions concerning culture. We tend to separate each other in terms of culture such as placing China town in one area and another culture in other areas of the market.//

There are many different prominent cultures in The Kensington area. Do you feel isolated or limited to a specific culture, or do you integrate yourself into many different cultures?

//Yes, I feel isolated in terms of culture. I don’t go often to other cultures because I’m not familiar, I usually just venture to China town, the area I know and am familiar with.//

Do you feel that you are active in your community? Do you find that anything limits you from getting the most out of the Kensington market community?

//What I know limits me from getting the most out of Kensington market community is that there is no single culture. Some of us cannot relate to other cultures. There is also no organization in terms of a map system. A map system might help residences and tourists find there way within the market or take streets that they might not of though of because they never thought anything useful or interesting might happen in a certain area. I live here so I know that the entire market is interesting in culture and artistic qualities though, I would like to see a map system to organize and find other venues besides that of what I know, China Town and my home.//

How familiar are you with the Kensington market venue? Do you feel that your community is organized, and easily navigable?

//I know Bathurst, Wales Ave. Bellevue St. and park Augusta AVE., Baldwin St. Nassau St., College St., Spadina Ave., Kensington Ave. and Dundas St. (especially) though I don’t know all the venue names or remember exactly how every store looks so a navigational object would be nice for that.//

How do you feel about the physical environment factors in Kensington market? Ex. Noise, Pollution, Cleanliness, Security, etc.

//Security has always been a major issue and since the market has grown in culture and in population since the 1950’s it would be good to increase better security. I do know from when I came to Kensington the environment has changed drastically. I remember in the 1950’s it was crowded with Euro and pure Canadian communities, however now there is a greater mixture of Ethnic groups like China, Latin America and the Caribbean that do need attention and have needs. As of that more shops have opened up in the past years, so yes security needs to be upgraded.//