bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How can the development permit system be used to achieve residential intensification outcomes in the suburbs?
Authors: Graham Kelly
Published: May 2021

The Province of Ontario made the Development Permit System (DPS) available to all municipalities in 2006, with the hope that municipalities could use this new tool to achieve various policy objectives, including intensification. Under the Growth Plan, municipalities have been instructed by the Provincial government to identify areas for redevelopment in order to meet the 40 per cent intensification target. Many suburban municipalities have been challenged to meet this target, and have requested Provincial assistance, and/or new regulatory tools. The DPS is one tool that has seen little use. This Major Research Paper explores the viability of the DPS for achieving intensification objectives in Port Whitby. The four existing DPS by-laws are compared, and other alternatives to zoning from different jurisdictions are reviewed. Lessons learned are incorporated into a set of recommendations to inform the Town of Whitby’s approach to their upcoming Port Whitby zoning review.

Key words: Land use planning, intensification, policy implementation, planning tools
Considering the Value of "Marginal" Agricultural Lands : Planning Analysis of Agricultural Resource Land Protection in Ontario
Authors: O'Neill John
Published: May 2021

Agricultural land resources are an essential element required to sustain agricultural production. While the Province of Ontario has implemented policies that aim to protect these lands from other types of development, this finite resource continues to diminish as the demand for food continues to grow. At this time the Province is undertaking a review of existing policies related to matters of provincial interest, including agriculture and therefore presents an important opportunity to re-evaluate the policies, in particular as it relates to what lands qualify as prime agricultural land worthy of protection. Historical and emerging agricultural practices have demonstrated that Canada Land Inventory (CLI) Class 4 soils can be productive. The report examines the potential merit of expanding the existing defining criteria of prime agricultural land from just CLI Class 1, 2, and 3 soils to also include CLI Class 4 and attempts to demonstrate the impact this would have on agricultural land use planning in Ontario. To help demonstrate a site specific evaluation of a portion of Peterborough County has been conducted to provide a visual representation.
Transit-Oriented Development: Removing Barriers And Realizing Goals Through LEED-ND
Authors: Lotito Melissa N.
Published: May 2021

In a response to the effects of sprawl and the growth pressures that face the City of Toronto and the rest of the Province of Ontario, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) can be implemented as a smart growth tool that can provide a meaningful sustainable alternative to conventional development practices. This research paper explores TOD in all of its capacities, context, design principles and the benefits and barriers that encourage or inhibit its execution. With a lack of effective performance measures in the current literature, this report aims to respond to the question:
Publicly-led proactive and privately-led reactive planning : a comparison of comprehensive planning and development approaches between East Bayfront and King-Liberty Village
Authors: Hilburt Joshua
Published: May 2021

This research examines two sites in downtown Toronto undergoing large-scale comprehensive brownfield redevelopment schemes. While city agencies helped to spur initial investment in King-Liberty Village, most changes have been privately-led while the planning department has attempted to incrementally guide development and the inclusion of specific public amenities. Waterfront Toronto's planning of East-Bayfront is seen as a strategic public investment and has undergone proactive policy-led planning. These differing frameworks have resulted in contrasting outcomes. While the planning and development framework of the latter has created the conditions for a neighbourhood well-serviced by transit and more robust parkland, affordable housing and sustainability goals, it has required enormous public investment. The process in King-Liberty Village is more indicative of the challenges facing other private redevelopments that often require greater public planning resources than are available to ensure Toronto's continued growth is sufficiently accommodated.
The vertical suburbs of Sheppard: can mixed-use communities thrive along the Sheppard subway corridor?
Authors: Fayn Andrew
Published: May 2021

Properly planned mixed-use developments are recognized as an excellent way to achieve smart growth objectives such as intensification, along with creating attractive and vibrant communities by providing various uses within one development. It is important to understand that although their underlying concepts entail high levels of
urban livability, many barriers exist that make it difficult to develop mixed-use development. This paper uses the case study of the Sheppard subway corridor in Toronto, Ontario to understand why large scale mixed-use developments have not yet emerged in an area that seems appropriate for this development type. The paper uses
a multi-method approach including a literature review and interviews to understand the barriers that exist within the designated study area. What emerges is that there is no one silver bullet to achieving large scale mixed-use developments. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations that may assist in producing a healthier
environment for mixed-use developments to succeed.
The ‘community' in community land trusts: the role of community control in pursuing community land trust activism
Authors: Le Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Housing in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is increasingly unaffordable due to rising housing costs. Community land trusts (CLTs) have recently emerged as a tool for providing affordable housing in the GTHA. This paper investigated the form that CLTs should take to ensure its long-term success for providing affordable housing. Through an analysis of academic and grey literature, the element of community control was identified as being a critical success factor. This paper explored four CLTs operating in American and European contexts to understand whether and how community control was manifested and the resulting implications it had on the CLT and residents. The findings of the paper confirm the importance of community control in the long-term functioning of CLTs, and that community control can be manifested in various forms. Planners operating in the GTHA must therefore be mindful of ensuring that community control is expressed in CLTs.

Keywords: Community land trust; affordable housing; community control; Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
Affordable Housing In Toronto: Legislative And Regulatory Tools For Municipal LED Development
Authors: Kolsteren Alex
Published: May 2021

This paper analyses the regulatory and legislative tools for affordable housing in Toronto. Through a review of relevant literature and interviews with key informants, key trends in affordable housing in Toronto have been identified. An analysis of affordable housing in Vancouver and Montreal is provided to show divergences and similarities in other Canadian cities. Key findings of this research reveal several trends. Firstly, past funding of housing was often rationalized as an economic imperative, rather than as a social policy issue. Secondly, federal retrenchment and Ontario government offloading have placed responsibility for housing on Toronto, which has neither the financial nor regulatory tools to adequately fund housing. Thirdly, this lack of capacity has led Toronto to adopt a more entrepreneurial approach to housing, using public-private partnerships, social mix revitalization initiatives, and other market influenced development mechanisms. These findings highlight difficulties on the part of Toronto to develop new affordable housing at a time when the city continues to grow and demand for housing is increasing.
Towards a More “Reasonable” Ontario Municipal Board: Looking to Nova Scotia
Authors: LaRusic Edward
Published: May 2021

The powerful Ontario Municipal Board (OMB, or the Board) has long been maligned as an unelected provincial body with the authority to meddle with local land-use planning decisions. Concurrently, politicians have been accused of abusing the purpose of the OMB by pushing politically contentious decisions on the Board, rather than oppose an active neighbourhood association. This paper argues that these issues stem from the Board’s "standard of review", which guides the OMB to make the "most correct" decision, sometimes in opposition to the municipality. If the OMB adopted a standard of review of "reasonableness" when reviewing land use planning appeals like the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board does, much greater deference would be given to municipalities by the Board. This would keep the expertise of the OMB intact, without the radical impacts to development that may accompany the creation of a new process for appealing municipal decisions.
Conflicts in mixed use neighbourhoods : case study : King-Spadina
Authors: Kaur Bhani Sharan
Published: May 2021

This research paper focuses on the phenomenon of mixed use neighbourhoods, specifically in the case of the King-Spadina neighbourhood located in the City of Toronto. This paper will examine the benefits of mixed use neighbourhoods and the issues that arise when two or more incompatible land uses are located within a given geographical area. The focus of this paper is on the case study area of the King-Spadina neighbourhood which is home to the [sic] Canada’s largest Entertainment District, an area which previously served as one of Toronto’s industrial cores. Since the elimination of traditional land use restrictions in the area the King-Spadina neighbourhood has seen an influx of redevelopment in both residential and commercial.

This paper seeks to address the current conflicts associated with having a concentration of entertainment facilities located within a community with a residential population. Through a rigorous research process, this paper aims to address how enhancing the public realm can create a more enjoyable mixed use neighbourhood.
Waiting Game: Exploring the Lived Experiences of First Nations who are Waiting for Housing to Determine Appropriate Policy and Planning Directions
Authors: Moggach Catriona
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper explores the lived experiences of Eabametoong and Nibinamik First Nations members while they wait for housing to determine how planning and policy can better address the challenges they identify. This period that can reach 10 years is marked with uncertainty and increased stress that negatively impacts quality of life, promotes overcrowding, and results in many members leaving their reserves. Understanding the impacts of waiting has not been studied in a First Nations context. The work of Oldfield and Greyling (2015) on waiting for housing in post- apartheid South Africa serves as a framework in which to analyze the lived experiences of Canada’s First Nations while they also wait for housing due to similar colonial pasts. As such, this paper presents waiting as the product of political inaction, and therefore a policy direction in its own right.
Fixing boundaries: an international review of greenbelt boundaries.
Authors: MacDonald Greg
Published: May 2021

The legislation governing Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt is set to be reviewed in 2015. This will be the first opportunity to review the defined boundaries of the protected area. This paper examines four other greenbelt areas to provide insight into how the province should deal with boundaries at the review. The case study areas are Ottawa’s National Capital Greenbelt, British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve, London’s Metropolitan Greenbelt and Portland’s Urban Growth Boundary. Based on lessons from these case studies, the paper concludes with recommendations to provide a structure to the greenbelt review process, including harmonizing boundary definitions and exploring a more flexible approach to boundary definition.
Planning for change: addressing environmental migration as a planning issue in the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Windross Erin James
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to provide a background on a future climate change induced refugee crisis and the potential planning responses that may be warranted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A review of academic literature and policy documents indicate that such a climate change refugee crisis is within the realm of possibility. As a result, under current federal refugee policy, Canada will likely see an increase in episodes of refugee resettlement. For municipalities within the GTA, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in North America, it is recommended that planners and planning regimes incorporate multicultural planning practices to address and anticipate the needs of these future newcomers
Making density work: tall buildings in downtown Toronto
Authors: Wolfe Colin
Published: May 2021

Urban growth and change in Downtown Toronto is proceeding at an unprecedented rate. While this is indicative of a robust economic climate and vibrant streetscape, the pace of this development presents a host challenges to City of Toronto as it attempts to maintain a high quality of life for its residents. This discussion considers quality of life in the context of growth related pressure Downtown Toronto at three difference scales, flowing from resident priorities expressed in two recent surveys of residents in high-density communities. Using a mixed methods research approach, primary survey data is complemented with key informant interviews. Discussion touches on issues of small living spaces, a perceived lack of diversity in housing options, the need for public realm enhancement, and the potential of the Development Permits System as a alternative planning framework to improve quality of life for current and future Downtown residents.
Enabling Indigenous urban design : an examination of theory and precedents for application in Winnipeg
Authors: Loewen Neil
Published: May 2021

This research paper explores strategies for including Indigenous identities in the design of urban spaces and provides recommendations for the City of Winnipeg. As Canada’s Indigenous population is now primarily situated in urban areas there is growing demand for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural expression to influence the design of the spaces these populations inhabit in cities. A review of salient literature pertaining to Indigenous involvement in planning processes and the translation of culture into urban design provides a theoretical basis for further investigation. Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Maori Design Principles are used as a relevant precedent study. The search for precedents uncovers that practice is lagging far behind theory. Theory and precedent study inform a series of recommended actions for the City of Winnipeg with the intent of enabling Indigenous urban design in both reserve and off-reserve settings.
Second Units: Means Of Socio-Economic Integration Of New Immigrants In Mississauga
Authors: Ali Nadia
Published: May 2021

This study explores the role of second units in the socio-economic integration of new immigrants living in the City of Mississauga, Ontario. Mississauga despite being a popular immigrant destination faces serious lack of affordable, social housing, and housing subsidies like many other Canadian cities. New immigrants generally face multiple barriers to access adequate and affordable housing here and often use illegal second units to fulfill their housing needs. The Province, owing to its inability to provide affordable, social, and increasing housing needs, is in the process of legalizing second units through Bill 140. espite their importance in immigrants' settlement process, there is virtually no research on this form of housing in the Canadian context. This study will fill this gap in the current literature. Moreover, it provides suggestions for the municipal government and civil society organizations to further alleviate barriers to the socioeconomic integration of new immigrants living in these units.
Human | Wildlife, Stitching the Fabric : Connectivity Strategies for Identified Gaps in Toronto's Ravines
Authors: Racine Vincent
Published: May 2021

This Master’s Research Project (MRP) examines landscape connectivity strategies for the ravine system in the City of Toronto, CA. A workshop with natural environment specialists from the City of Toronto was organized to gather practitioner-based information as to which gaps should be prioritized in the ravine system. This GAP Analysis was complemented with a Geographic Information System (GIS) - based buffer analysis looking at connectable green spaces in close proximity to Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs). Based on both the workshop and GIS analysis, 16 gaps were investigated through which 4 typologies were created. Interviews were then conducted with professionals from comparator cities: Edmonton (CA), Vancouver (CA), Minneapolis (US), Copenhagen (DK), and Stockholm (SW) to compare into how waterfront cities use policies, partnerships and design interventions to connect waterfront public lands. Based on interviews and additional policy scans, connectivity strategies were created for all 4 typologies as a means to improve landscape connectivity in the City of Toronto.
Demographic changes and formation of ethnic enclaves
Authors: Ansari Irfan Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Statistics show that South Asian and Chinese ethnic enclaves had residential mobility rates of 54.5 percent and 46.5 percent respectively during 2001-2006 against the average 44.9 percent for the Toronto CMA. This paper explores the implications of higher proportion of movement of Asian population in some selected ethnic neighbourhoods in Toronto. Why ethnics move into ethnic enclaves; why they move out from ethnic enclaves; and what are the implications of such movement on municipal planning are some of the questions explored in this study. This paper also discusses some of the emerging themes such as increasing trend of concentration of Asian population, displacement of one ethnic population by other ethnic population; and a possible disconnection between the neighbourhood demography, services and the municipal planning, which may require further investigation.
(Re)discovering Toronto's waterfront: infrastructure and connectivity in a post-industrial landscape
Authors: Gordon Geordie
Published: May 2021

The transition of waterfront land use from industrial to post-industrial is a global phenomenon. There are several forces that are driving this change, including the advancement of shipping technology and the relocation of industrial processes to areas with greater availability of land. In place of industrial uses, many cities have undertaken, or are in the process of undertaking the redevelopment of their waterfront. As a result of past industrial use, there often exists, a significant amount of transportation infrastructure that isolates the city from the waterfront. This paper establishes the context for waterfront redevelopment, before examining the impact of infrastructure urban forms by using the work of Kevin Lynch as a tool for analysis. Several case precedents are used to examine the course of action that other North American cities have pursued to mitigate the impact of infrastructure forms on the waterfront and how they may influence the way Toronto deals with its waterfront infrastructure.
The urban planner's guide to coworking: a case study of Toronto, Ontario
Authors: Petch Zibby
Published: May 2021

This paper describes exploratory research carried out to examine coworking, an emerging phenomenon of shared, collaborative work spaces, using a case study of the City of Toronto, from the perspective of urban planners and policy-makers. The research is premised on the belief that, as planners, being connected to the pulse of the city and documenting emerging trends is a critical component of our work. The research uses qualitative techniques, including interviews with coworkers and coworking site owner-operators to explore coworking – specifically, to understand the experiences of coworkers, to begin to consider the potential implications of coworking sites on larger city systems, and to examine the relationship between the coworking site, the coworking community, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Ultimately, the research provides future directions for research, in order to inform recommendations about the potential role for public policy and planning intervention in the coworking industry.
The Exiled Spaces of the City: Transforming Laneways into Community Spaces
Authors: Dmuchawska Natalia
Published: May 2021

This goal of this project is to re-imagine a derelict, underutilized, and exiled laneway in the Roncesvalles Village neighbourhood (alternatively known as ‘Roncy’), into a place that can be celebrated and used by the community. I imagine it to be a project that expands the street level excitement into the laneways. This project is heavily grounded in the practical. The idea for it flourished while standing on a rooftop of a building during a festival in the ‘Roncy’ neighbourhood. After spending the afternoon on the ground we retreated from the busy street to a private rooftop. From here, I was able to watch as people squeezed by each other enjoying street vendors and local artisans and music. But I could also see the intricate network of laneways that stood vacant and still amidst the heavy traffic on the street below. Since then I’ve spent countless hours wandering through the laneways in Roncy hoping to see activity, kids playing, informal economies, or seniors sitting and reading books. But alas, the only people I’ve come across are those looking through garbage and recycle bins in search of bottles to return for a few cents.
Kitakiwi Masinahikanan (Our Map)
Authors: McNeil Joelle
Published: May 2021

Members of Nibinamik First Nation, an Anishinaabe community in the Far North of Ontario, are in the process of updating their land use plan. As part of this land use planning project, Nibinamik seeks an accompanying and informing map of their traditional territory. Through a partnership between Nibinamik and Ryerson University, we explored the substantive and procedural values informing the mapping, and by extension the land use planning, project. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature on Indigenous counter-mapping and in reference to the guiding provincial policy framework. Importantly, Nibinamik seeks an alternate process to that imposed by the province, while simultaneously seeking recognition by the province. In this way, Nibinamik resists the province’s claims to exclusive power over crown lands, and asserts claims to shared power over traditional territory.

Key words: counter-mapping; Indigenous Planning; northern Ontario
Regional Planning for Active and Sustainable School Travel: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Flanagan Caitlyn
Published: May 2021

Significant efforts have been made worldwide to enable active and sustainable school travel, however there has been a lack of sustainable program success within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). This research begins to untangle the intricacies of integrating school travel programs into professional practice. A qualitative investigation was conducted in five municipalities that have implemented active and sustainable school travel initiatives within the GTHA. Participants from various sectors, including land-use planning, public health, and school boards, were selected for interviews. Thematic analysis revealed seven challenges that stakeholders confront, including Parent Acceptance, Regional Governance, School Boards, Program Ownership, Data Collection, Elected Officials, and Multidisciplinary Stakeholders. This research identified the ways in which stakeholders have attempted to overcome challenges – offering insights into where additional resources, capacity-building, and improved planning procedures could be introduced. Identifying and resolving these challenges are pivotal to the success of future collaborative transportation planning in the GTHA.
Laneway redevelopment programs: a case study review
Authors: Oldnall Christine Marie
Published: May 2021

The revitalization of formerly dark. dirty, and often uninviting urban spaces is occurring across many cities throughout North America. This is because the hundreds of kllometres of laneways located behind buildings are beginning to be viewed as Significant semi-public spaces and are being redeveloped into active spaces that can play a role in improving the state of the natural environment. The City of Toronto has a vast laneway system that is not being utilized to its full potential. This report attempts to demonstrate this point and suggests that there is an opportunity for recreating these laneways into vibrant spaces that support the natural environment while maintaining their primary functions as light vehicular thoroughfare.s and access points for homes and businesses.
Through the examination of nine laneway redevelopment programs and projects this report highlights the successful techniques being implemented within these laneways and emphasizes the significant lessons that can be learned. Finally, each lesson learned is reviewed, and recommendations are given on how the City of Toronto can potentially address each point if attempting to implement its own laneway redevelopment program. Among a host of
recommendations. this includes the need to promote laneway redevelopment through a change to the City's existing land use planning policies; the development of laneway design guidelines; and, the implementation of a dynamic funding system.

Key words: Laneway, Redevelopment. Natural Environment, City of Toronto
Impacts of subway pricing on fare equality among passengers: a Toronto case study
Authors: Chung Michael Lok Kan
Published: May 2021

This project examines fare equity amongst socio-demographic groups of passengers who use Toronto Transit Commission’s subway system. Existing literature theorizes and demonstrates that flat fare pricing strategies are inequitable between transit users. Disadvantaged groups, who often travel on off-peak hours and on short trips, typically subsidize transit users who travel on peak hours and long trips. Surveys were used to collect socio-demographic and trip characteristic data from n = 93 subway passengers. Correlation was drawn between various socio-demographic variables and transit fare per kilometer travelled (which represented length of trips) and time of day in which the trips were taken. Using linear and binomial logistic regression modeling, the study found that subsidization were indeed occurring between passengers, but socio-demographic variables played no role with distance travelled or time of usage. The study concludes that the flat fare pricing policy employed by the TTC is likely equitable across socio-demographic groups of passengers, but it appears that a differentiated fare policy (instead of the current flat fare policy) might improve fairness between passengers.
From gentrification to re-urbanization : the expanding terrain of socio-spatial inequality
Authors: Horowitz Corey J.
Published: May 2021

This paper examines a confluence of factors and consequence linked to changing socio-economic and spatial arrangements in the post-industrial globalized city. Neo-liberal urban governance and the influence of evolved capitalist economic and cultural structures have altered the demographic landscape of many cities. Urban neighbourhoods are increasingly exclusive to the middle and upper classes, as state support for low-income populations wanes in favour of revenue growth and a fixation on image. Gentrification has expanded geographically, and is often promoted by policy with little regard for gradual but substantial displacement of the poor. These patterns are epitomized in large 'world cities' such as New York, London, and Toronto that are the financial and cultural centresof their region; the conditions are mergent in a growing number of cities worldwide. If government are to prevent standardization of these processes and commit to measures for social sustainability, they must first demonstrate greater capacity for intervention in market-based inequalities.
Mitigating the socio-economic costs of transportation infrastructure projects and enhancing community livability: a case study of Eglinton Crosstown, St. Clair reconstruction & Central corridor: LRT projects and their outcomes
Authors: Culp Danielle
Published: May 2021

This research examines three case studies of transportation projects within the North American context including: the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, St. Clair Streetcar reconstruction in Toronto, and the Central Corridor LRT in Minnesota to determine how planners can utilize planning policy and financial policy tools to offer solutions to help mitigate the social costs of transportation infrastructure projects for the affected communities. Results indicate that community benefits agreements and grants can be effective planning policy and financial policy tools that could be used to help mitigate the negative impacts of Light Rail Transit construction. Results also indicate that clear evaluative frameworks must be established, including clear targets, thresholds, reporting, and compliance in order for community benefits agreements to be considered successful.

Key words: community benefits agreements; light rail transit; transportation; construction; social costs
Planning parks for a multicultural population
Authors: Renaud Jennifer
Published: May 2021

As Toronto's population continues to grow increasingly diverse, park planners will be faced with the challenge of implementing changes to the existing parks and recreational facilities in order to accommodate the leisure needs of these new emerging demographics. This is due to the fact that the existing infrastructure does not meet the needs of these emerging groups. However, further research is needed to understand how emerging multicultural communities use park space and how they manipulate the use of existing infrastructure to accommodate their favoured activities. The research in this study is collected through conducting three focus groups, key informant interviews, and secondary research in regards to prevalent literature and municipal plans, policies, and staff reports regarding park planning. This study will have the capacity to assist planners in developing an understanding of how the changing urban population is using park spaces, as well as their recreational preferences and requirements, in order to adequately provide facilities that accommodate space for their specific needs.
The Community Housing Plan: The Role Of Capacity In Canadian On-Reserve Housing Policy
Authors: Harder Kristen
Published: May 2021

On-Reserve Housing Policy is failing First Nation communities across Canada as it appears unable to meet the complex housing needs of First Nations people, or effectively manage the operation of housing systems on reserve. This paper explores whether a relationship exists between the ability of First Nations to develop and implement a Community Housing Plan (CHP) and capacity development on-reserve. It does this by questioning whether on-reserve housing policy has created the appropriate administrative, financial and governance capacity to support the successful implementation of Community Housing Plans onreserve. The research uses qualitative methodology, reviewing literature and seven reports that explore Indigenous history in Canada and Canadian On-Reserve Housing Policy. The findings contemplate the wider implications of On-Reserve Housing Policy when First Nation capacity is not supported by the Federal Government, and the role of planning in the decolonization of Indigenous housing and policy.
The case for equitable transit-oriented development exploring the link between housing affordability and transit accessibility in Burnaby, British Columbia
Authors: Mackaay Amanda
Published: May 2021

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a planning model that concentrates compact, mixed-use development near high order transit. The problem arises when the intensification of transit-oriented locations does not occur in an equitable way and results in the displacement of low-income households, who are arguably the most reliant on access to transit. Metro Vancouver’s regional growth strategy (RGS) supports the TOD model by designating Urban Centres as key areas to absorb the majority of the region’s growth and development, as well as transit service. The growth targets in the RGS have led to the rezoning of many Urban Centres to allow for more density, thereby prompting redevelopment activity. The City of Burnaby is of particular interest because it has been experiencing a significant loss of affordable rental housing in low-income neighborhoods along the SkyTrain line as a result of the redevelopment occurring within its designated Urban Centres. This research provides a list of recommendations that are geared toward helping Burnaby preserve affordable rental housing options along the transit corridor.

Keywords: Affordable Rental Housing, Density, Displacement, Low-Income Household, Redevelopment, Regional Growth Strategy, Town Centre, Transit Accessibility, Transit Corridor, Transit-Oriented Development, Urban Centre
The feasibility of adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings in Southwestern Ontario
Authors: Robbins Kayly
Published: May 2021

This research investigated the feasibility of adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings in Southwestern Ontario. Adaptive reuse is a conversion strategy that has recently been utilized in cities faced with a decline in industry. The cities experiencing a labour shift away from manufacturing now have dilapidated vacant or underutilized industrial buildings cross their urban landscape. Adaptive reuse is the process of reusing an existing building, with or without changes to the structure, for a new purpose. Southwestern, Ontario is a region that has struggled to rebound from the economic shift, and the 2008/2009 recession. The region is located southwest of Toronto, bordering Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. This study, through case study analysis, explored the characteristics that are important in hindering or facilitating the feasibility of adaptive reuse of existing vacant industrial buildings. The case studies demonstrate that location, market characteristics, legislation, council support, and financial implications are the most important factors in assessing the feasibility of adaptive reuse. This research, and the recommendations provided, may aid municipalities and counties in encouraging and working with developers to revitalise their vacant industrial buildings. 
Walking in a winter wonderland? an assessment of winter maintenance and physical activity features in Smythe Park, Toronto
Authors: Bianchi Maria
Published: May 2021

Objective. To determine how the features, conditions, and maintenance of a low-income park affect the use of the park for physical activity during the winter months.
Method. Direct observation of park use; assessment of park quality based on a developed assessment tool; and supplementary surveys with park users.
Results. The park lacked winter park features (e.g. ice rink, tobogganing hill) and supporting amenities (e.g. washrooms, rental facilities). There was evidence of winter maintenance, however, it was inconsistent: most trails were cleared of snow on all visits, but large ice patches were present and had not been cleared. The park was used primarily for walking and dog walking, although respondents noted that the lack of maintenance in the park affected if they used it for physical activity.
Conclusion. Winter maintenance of parks and the presence of winter features affect park use, with snow removal, ice removal, and the presence of bathrooms having a strong influence on physical activity levels in the winter months. Park planners should consider year-round maintenance and programming in order to promote engagement in physical activity during all seasons.
Schoolyard Parks : How the Establishment of a Formal Partnership Between the Toronto District School Board and the City of Toronto to Green Schoolyards Can Increase Access to Public Park Space Across the City
Authors: Franko Marika
Published: May 2021

Many built-up and high-density cities such as the City of Toronto are beginning to look at new strategies to increase parkland at a time when land is scarcer and more expensive to acquire. Schoolyards have been identified as underutilized public resources since many of them are deteriorating and predominantly asphalt. Some cities have established initiatives that revitalize public schoolyards into green spaces for student and community use, defined generally as ‘schoolyard parks’. Such initiatives are based upon public-private partnerships between city governments, school boards, park departments, and other stakeholders. This paper uses spatial analysis to estimate how much parkland Toronto District School Board schoolyards could contribute to Toronto’s park system if they were converted to schoolyard parks. It also reviews four schoolyard park programs in different cities to determine what kind of program structure would best suit Toronto, and it provides recommendations on how to implement such an initiative.

Key words: schoolyards, parks, green spaces, partnership, underutilized schools
UniverCity As A Complete Community: Identifying Success, Challenges And Opportunities For Increasing All-Day Use Of Local Assets
Authors: Kim Isabelle
Published: May 2021

With an increasing emphasis placed on sustainable development policies and practices, ‘complete communities’ are frequently selected as the prescribed model of planning. Through a case study analysis of UniverCity on Burnaby Mountain, a designated complete community, this research investigates how an existing development aligns with policy definitions, and identifies various implementation gaps. By conducting primary research on the UniverCity residents and the surrounding community, and analyzing respondents in the context of local planning goals, this research applies a bottom-up approach, a perspective currently absent in existing literature. This paper examines the activities and attitudes of the wider community including local businesses, and students, faculty, and staff, who attend the Simon Fraser University campus adjacent to UniverCity on Burnaby Mountain. The study findings show that despite these labels and planning policy definitions, the completeness of a community can vary based on local context.
Yonge and great: an assessment of Yonge as a great street
Authors: Nguyen John
Published: May 2021

Some streets are better than others. Some are ordinary, and others are great. This paper explores what makes Great Streets and the key built form features. A case study analysis was conducted and was guided by an evaluative framework based on Allan Jacobs eight Requirements and five Criteria for Great Streets. The evaluative framework help assessed the degree to which Times Square and Yonge St - between Queen and College - met the Requirements and Criteria for Great Streets. The discussion demonstrates how improvement to the physical Requirements of streets can result in noticeable improvement in its’ function. While Yonge is Toronto’s ‘main street’ the evaluation identified areas for enhancement. Specifically, in order for Yonge to be a Great Street, future planning and design strategies should consider the following three Requirements: (1) Places to walk with some leisure; (2) Physical comfort; and (3) Quality Design.
Planning to care: the case for a broader implementation of therapeutic planning
Authors: Alton David M.
Published: May 2021

Planning does not see itself as a caring profession, yet there are elements of care that underlie the relationship between planners and the public. Therapeutic planning is an emerging approach to planning that has shown promise at building on those elements of care and reimagining planning as healing and transformative for planners and the public. However, therapeutic planning has so far only been used as a specialized practice when planning with indigenous communities. Through an analysis of the literature on planning theory and therapeutic planning practice, this study seeks to build a case for a broader application of therapeutic planning. Key findings of this analysis show that therapeutic planning has the capacity to improve planners’ ability to address trauma, conflict and reconciliation. This ends with a concrete set of recommendations to guide the profession in embracing its potential for care.

Key words:
An article on urban planning theory and practice, used the key words: therapeutic; planning; caring; communication; profession.
Evaluating the efficiency of large scale transit infrastructure planning in Toronto Ontario: issues of governance
Authors: Testaguzza Michael Enzo
Published: May 2021

This report analyzes the governance of large scale public transit infrastructure planning in the GTA. To accomplish this goal a comparative case study was carried out of the two most recent large scale public transit infrastructure provision plans in Toronto, the Network 2011 plan, and following iterations; and the Transit City aspects of the Big Move plan and subsequent iterations. Each case study consists of (1) a review of the history of each plan and (2) a review of the efficiency of the many iterations of the original plan within each case study. Through analysis of this data several characteristics of governance were associated with movement towards better and worse iterations from an efficiency perspective. These characteristics were used to inform recommendations regarding the future of transportation governance in the GTA.
Secondary suites: a methodological approach to estimate their prevalance within the city of Toronto
Authors: Kloet Jeremy
Published: May 2021

With the introduction of Bill 140 - Strong Communities Through Affordable Housing Act, one increasingly popular housing typology is secondary suites. However, their role within local housing markets has never been fully substantiated, numerically or functionally, Over the past decade, government agencies have employed a variety of techniques to estimate the number of secondary suites within local housing markets. However, due to a number of inherent limitations associated with available data sources and collection techniques, accurately estimated their prevalence is difficult because many secondary suites are not reported. As such, most data sources do not provide a complete estimate. In an effort to overcome these limitations, the following research paper has employed a methodological approach that combined MPAC data with visual surveys. The results of this approach will help provide a more accurate picture of the entire secondary suite rental market, identifying both reported and unreported units within Toronto.
Harvesting geospatial data from mobile phones: practical applications for managing investments in tourism infrastructure
Authors: Frolick Jasmine
Published: May 2021

The paper explores the different methods of harvesting geospatial data related to mobile phone technology and investigates the applicability of these methods to the Ontario context. The three methods investigated include: data harvesting; and, mining existing social media applications for applicable datasets. Researchers Dr. Deborah Edwards at the University of Technology Sydney and Dr. Rein Ahas at the University of Tartu were interviewed on their respective methods of data collection. These were followed by and interview with Eli Perrell, Senior Policy Advisor to the Tourism Policy & Research Branch at the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, to determine whether the Ministry would be interested in this type of research as well as its viability in Ontario context. The paper concludes that two of these three methods are applicable in the Ontario Context and provides the Ministry with recommendations to begin implementation.
Food supply chain resilience in an era of climate change: recommendations for Toronto, Ontario
Authors: Willett Christopher Michael
Published: May 2021

The production of food, its delivery to markets, and its use by consumers depends on the proper functioning of numerous supply chains and critical infrastructure networks, many of which are threatened by a changing climate. To ensure the proper functioning of food supply chains during weather-related catastrophes, climate change adaptation and food security plans must consider risks to all elements of the chain and identify strategies for bolstering resilience. This paper explores the efforts of various North American cities to respond to this challenge and offers recommendations for improving food supply chain resilience in Toronto, Ontario.
Unbalanced Growth in Downtown Toronto: Maintaining Employment Uses in Toronto’s Downtown Core
Authors: Eavis Melissa
Published: May 2021

Downtown Toronto is experiencing a significant increase in residential development. It attracts people and investment due to its mixture of land uses, transit, and vibrant urban environment. As an employment node, downtown plays an important role in the economic stability of the city. The King-Spadina case study is used to argue that unbalanced growth is occurring within a significant employment area and if left unmitigated, will seriously undermine the future employment growth opportunities that will be necessary to the continued success of the city. This study found that: 1) King- Spadina is a significant employment area, 2) King-Spadina is experiencing rapid population growth, 3) King-Spadina contains a significant amount of developable land, and 4) Residential development is displacing non-residential uses and consuming remaining soft sites at a significant pace. Recommendations are made to address the nature of growth happening in the area and to better protect long-term employment growth opportunities.
Where to move? Evaluating the potential of BMO field and Varsity Centre to host the Toronto Argonauts
Authors: Garland Jake  M.
Published: May 2021

The Toronto Argonauts are the oldest continuously running professional football team in North America and a storied franchise within the Canadian Football League. However, they are also a team facing vagrancy, with their lease at Rogers Centre expiring on December 31, 2017 and have historically had trouble-selling tickets at this locale. The team is now looking to play in a smaller established venue that is more realistic to fill and such stadiums suggested have included BMO Field and Varsity Centre. Therefore, the
research within this paper addresses the gap in the planning knowledge of which of these two stadiums should be chosen to move the team to from evaluations that include redevelopment cost, site location, accessibility, and a surrounding land use. The research highlights that Varsity Centre has the greatest potential, while also providing a set of recommendations for either site to optimize the potential to host the team.
Tribunal troubles: an analysis of the potential effects of Bill 139 on housing affordability, and the transparency and efficiency of Ontario's land use planning and appeal system
Authors: Raza Kumail
Published: May 2021

This Major Research Paper (MRP) analyzes the potential effects of Bill 139 on housing affordability, and the transparency and efficiency of land use planning in the province of Ontario. Specifically, this MRP analyzes how changes to Ontario‘s Development and Land Use Appeals Process may impact the delivery of new housing supply to market, hence, impacting affordability. Additionally, this MRP evaluates changes in the appeals process in regards to increased transparency, an expected outcome of Bill 139. A qualitative analysis of the Bill 139 reforms finds that Ontario‘s land use planning and appeal systems require immediate assistance in regards to implementation, and further reform in terms of municipal autonomy, decision making power of the tribunal, and the nature of appeal hearings.