The importance of urban places

I am a bit of an urban junky, unfortunately Redeemer's campus is not located int Downtown Hamilton, but right on the rural-urban fringe - (and it is being surrounded at an alarming rate by suburban development and a new fire-station). Therefore, when I visit downtown, I don't have my own place, I don't have a place that I can call my home, sure there are a few friends in that area, and my church is within walking distance of the downtown core, however, I have come to appreciate the importance of urban places. (To define urban places - I mean places within a distinctly urban area, in which one can engage the surroundings, experience the city, share time with friends, or just simply relax.)

Now Hamilton is full of urban places, some a bit dysfunctional, and some on the upbeat. One of these places for me is the Farmers Market. Right amidst one of the less attractive developments downtown Hamilton has seen in the the later half of the 20th century (that is the complex which includes Jackson Square, City Centre, Copps, the Library, and the Market itself) the market is a great urban place. The market doesn't claim to be a true local, all Hamiltonian market and rightfully so. The Farmers Market is kind of a mosaic. Your ethnic foods, breads, veggies, Deli, flowers, or crafty soaps are all available inside this big hall which is the Farmers Market. Whether you need a rabbit for dinner, the best deal on bagels in town, or some ingridients for oriental type of cooking you are at the right place.

Another urban place worth checking out in Hamilton is the FRWY cafe (Freeway). Depending on when you go you will either find the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee house, an art show featuring local artist, salsa dancing lessons, or even church. One thing is always present - good coffee. The Coffee house is run throught the church community that meets in the very same place. The FRWY is a place where community is central - whether meeting there for a coffee or partking in their church community - the FRWY is all about enriching deep community.

Another place is Mixed Media - located on James St. North it has been instrumental in the revival of the arts community in Hamilton. While being mainly an arts supply store, it is also a gathering place for those in the James St. area. One of the main things that Mixed Media has encouraged is the James St. Art Crawl - not only is it a great initiative because the street is closed off dor any moterized traffic, it has also been voted the best place to take a date in Hamilton... Just so you know.

What all these places have in common is that they provide the Hamilton community with unique experiences and places. They seek to enrich the life of the city, they increase the public life of a city, they provde places where we can engage with others, places where we can live out the gospel, places where we can challenge and be challenged.