Brandon Donnelly — Daily insights for city builders. Published since 2013 by Toronto-based real estate developer Brandon Donnelly. — Page 890

“This book is a love story of cities. It is so well observed -- the places, the people, the history and what the future holds. Joe tells a very personal and beautifully written story direct from the front line. An absolute must read for everyone who cares about, and wants to understand, what makes cities and their citizens tick.”  – Dame Alison Nimmo, Chief Executive of the Crown Estate

Joe Berridge , of Urban Strategies, has a new book coming out called, Perfect City: An Urban Fixer's Global Search for Magic in the Modern Metropolis . Perfect may be the enemy of good (as they say), but Joe argues that all great cities have moments of perfection that we can learn from. I just preordered a copy. If you're interested, you can do the same here .

I met Mark Garner, who is the COO and Executive Director of the Downtown Yonge BIA , about five years ago. We met because of our shared passion around Toronto's laneways. At the time, you weren't allowed to do what we now call laneway suites. Housing was not to be built on our rear streets. But thanks to champions like the Yonge BIA, Lanescape, the Laneway Project, a number of local Councillors, and many others, a lot has changed over the last five years.

As luck would have it, Mark and I reconnected at the beginning of this year because of another shared interest: neon. The Downtown Yonge BIA has been working for over five years to establish a permanent home for the neon signs and lights that are slowly (or perhaps quickly) disappearing from Toronto's streets. The goal is to found Neon Museum Toronto . And I am so impressed by their dedication to this cause. You should see what they have collected so far.

Given the obvious connection to Junction House , we decided we were overdue for another fun project. So today the team is excited to announce that -- in collaboration with both the Downtown Yonge BIA and Neon Demon Studio -- the Junction House Sales Gallery (at 2720 Dundas Street West ) will be hosting a Neon Popup Gallery from April 12 to 14 . blogTO has already covered the event, here .

It is open to the public. And entry is free. But it is coming to you for one weekend only. So get your camera ready and come by between 11AM - 9PM.

Apple announced a number of new products and services this week, including Apple TV+ and a new Apple credit card, which will initially only be available in the US.

It all aligns nicely with their goal of growing their service/subscription businesses and weaning themselves off of an over-dependence on iPhone revenue.

Below is a video summary of the new Apple Card. In typical Apple fashion, it sounds and looks like an elegant solution and I already want to one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=143&v=HAZiE9NtRfs

I thought this topic would make an interesting follow-up to my recent post about whether cities should be banning cashless businesses so as to not discriminate against the "unbanked."

Because embedded in the above credit card is the following cashback reward structure:

• 3% back on Apple purchases

• 2% back on purchases made with Apple Pay (iPhone)

• 1% back on purchases made with the (optional) physical card

And so what this "card" will do is pay you to always use your phone. The cashback reward system is also instantaneous and you'll be able to spend that Daily Cash (that's the name) just like you would actual cash.

Do you think this would change how you pay for things? I think for most people it will.