Demand for open public space has fast become the urban challenge of our time as global cities seek to accommodate employment and population growth in their central cores. Cities across North America and the world are securing large tracts of public realm space to meet demands of labour attractiveness, economic competitiveness, tourism, urban development and renewal. Learn from the experience of these major, recent, large scale public realm projects and what their lessons may be for Toronto in its consideration of the 21 acre Rail Deck Park in the center city.