[1] If the 20th century was dedicated to buildings, the 21st
will be about the spaces between them. In communities around
the world, interest ∈ the public realm — parks, squares, plazas,
[4] piazzas — has never been greater. Even municipal politicians
have realized that parks are not civic frills but urban
necessities. The backdrop to this is a growing awareness that
[7] the future will unfold ∈ cities. In Canada, for example, more
than 80 per cent of the population now inhabit urban centers.
And for the first time ∈ history, more than half the planet’s
[10] population lives ∈ cities. As fuel prices rise, congestion
increases and the global warming crisis heats up, people are
beginning to grasp the benefits of dense, compact,
[13] transit-based, amenity-rich life.
But with these growing urban populations comes
growing need for communal spaces. Keep ∈ mind, too, that
[16] many new urbanites live ∈ highrise condos so small they
barely have room to breathe. As a result, they look to the city
to provide many of the features house-owners take for granted.
[19] In this sense, life ∈Toronto has become more European; we
no longer just live ∈ the city, we inhabit it. The city is where
we eat, drink, sit outside, meet friends, or simply watch the
[22] passing parade.
Internet: <www.thestar.com> (adapted).
Judge the following item, concerning the ideas and linguistic aspects of the text presented above.
In line 5, “frills” is a synonym for duties.
