bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Informing the informal: visualizing laneway housing and increased density in Toronto
Authors: Behrooz Samira
Published: May 2021

Toronto is growing and attracting new population. Given that housing is a basic human need, Toronto’s population growth indicates a rising demand for housing. Meanwhile, spatial polarization of income is increasing in the city. Using Hulchanski’s illuminating study outlining those low and middle income households initially lived in the core of the city, near to transit networks and currently they cannot due to the high costs of housing this research investigates the physical and spatial capacity of a Toronto neighbourhood to increase affordable housing close to public transit while maintaining the physical character of the neighbourhood. As a means to address this affordable housing crisis laneway and informal housing is studied and the impact of these on the urban fabric, morphology, of neighbourhoods is studied. This research paper utilizes a mixed methods approach using semi-structured interviews, field research, spatial analysis and mapping, and the development of scenarios to test laneway and informal housing paradigms. This research concludes that: 1) informal housing and laneway housing can increase density while maintaining the physical character of a neighbourhood, 2) Toronto has an under-utilized laneway system that is a missed opportunity to increase density, 3) The current density limit for stable neighbourhoods defined by Toronto’s Zoning By-law is not realistic and there is a potential for increasing density limit while retaining the integrity of neighbourhood character, 4) Four to six storey laneway developments can create a new distinct character in laneways without changing street character.
Assessing the creative capacity of planners within the GTA
Authors: Lader Alexander Hans Maximilian
Published: May 2021

Given the assertion that planners exist within a restrictive environment that inhibits their ability to maximize creativity within their profession, this paper investigates what these restrictions are, and how municipal planners deal with them to maximize creativity. To do this, the opinions and experiences of ten currently practicing planners from municipalities within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are presented. Findings suggest that barriers to creativity can be attributed to four main categories: provincial legislation; corporate standards and regulations; internal culture/leadership: and resource limitations. They also indicate that individual creativity often occurs on a small scale, in a manner that allows for the gradual and incremental overcoming of restrictions.
Vertical expansions : assessing the feasibility of building private residential space atop existing public community centres and libraries through a public-private partnership in Toronto's inner-suburbs
Authors: Ketheswaran Pirijan
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility of building private residential space on top of existing publicly-owned inner-suburban Toronto community centres and library buildings through a public-private partnership.

The numerous benefits and feasibility of these 'vertical expansions' to the community and government is validated by the potential ability to increase local access to services, compatibility with wider government planning objectives such as smart growth, and by the capacity to kickstart a virtuous economic cycle to increase quality of place. The appeal to private developers is demonstrated through considerations of the market, money, production, people and environment.

Pilot sites where vertical expansions could best succeed are identified based on facility type, 'city 3' suburban status, potential marketability, and basic physical & structural considerations. 16 pilot sites were identified, which were further refined based on property value to identify the pilot sites with the highest potential for success.

A model for a reductionist and mutually equitable P3 arrangement for both the development and post-construction management was proposed and informed by the literature review of past P3 case studies.
Addressing Challenges to Mobility Hub Implementation at Suburban Commuter Rail Parking Lots in Greater Toronto
Authors: Bowman Marcus
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the issue of parking demand and station area office development at station area mobility hubs. Metrolinx, the Provincial regional transit-planning agency in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, has identified mobility hubs at locations with high transit connectivity and potential for mixed-use intensification. The Mobility Hub Guidelines provide a vision that emphasizes placemaking and station functionality. Attracting the desired form of development to mobility hubs will require a new approach to parking management and station access. This must address market realities and the double parking burden between the station and new developments. A variety of approaches are considered which could be implemented in various combinations at different mobility hub locations. These approaches include fine-tuning parking standards, reducing parking demand and facilitating a modal split shift in station access. The paper highlights that a number of innovative approaches are available, but will require proactive involvement from interested agencies. 
An evaluation of Oshawa's success as a city
Authors: Balluch Charlotte
Published: May 2021

Understanding what makes a city successful will allow city planners to be intentional with their policy making, development, and overall goals. This research examined Nicholas Brooke’s key components of successful cities to develop a framework for measuring success. Success factors that are supported by research include industrial, social and cultural diversity, skilled workforce, mobility, quality of life, culture of innovation, business-friendly, good governance, and a distinctive brand. Evaluation is an important part of learning, growth and future success. The City of Oshawa was evaluated on the basis of
these eight factors. This paper has discovered that the City of Oshawa has a weakness in its distinctive branding, business-friendliness, and diversity. It is doing well in terms of having a skilled workforce, mobility, quality of life, and governance and it is excelling in its culture of innovation. Knowing these strengths and weaknesses gives planners and city staff the opportunity to work towards improvement of the struggling factors and leverage their strengths in order to make improvements.

Key words: City of Oshawa; success; economic growth; evaluation
Understanding the effects of urban design on urban wellbeing
Authors: Janik Michael
Published: May 2021

This major research paper examines the relationship between urban design and wellbeing in an urban context. Urban wellbeing is analyzed across the built environment features of urban greenery, walkability, and density, and examined through the wellbeing dimensions of mental health, physical health, and social capital. Through a major literature review, this research highlights urban design elements and built form typologies that are strongly linked with improved wellbeing amongst urban residents. The literature also informs the analysis of two City of Toronto Secondary Plans and evaluates whether, and how, the policies address urban wellbeing through urban design.

Key words: urban design, urban wellbeing, health, social capital, greenery, walkability, density
Barriers to Mid-Rise Development in Toronto
Authors: Brown Robyn
Published: May 2021

In 2005 the Ontario Provincial Government introduced the Greenbelt Act, a piece of legislation that essentially capped Greenfield development in the Greater Toronto Area. In response to this policy some developers began to “leap-frog” the Greenbelt and secure development land north of the protected area, while others began to look inward to the built urban and suburban centres for intensification opportunities. Although supported by Provincial and Municipal interventionist policies there has been little intensification in the urban core. The City of Toronto's 2010 Avenues &ly ten projects have been completed. This paper, through a literature review including international sources and case studies and current policies, will examine the barriers to intensification. In addition, a qualitative key informant study of Greater Toronto Area developers and other professionals involved in midrise development will be pursued in order to establish what are the barriers to intensification.

KEY WORDS: City of Toronto, Mid-Rise, Avenues, Intensification, Zoning, Places to Grow, Policy, Infill, Urban, Development
Evaluating the Viability of Intensification Around Three Suburban GO Stations
Authors: Sharp Nicola
Published: May 2021

The updated Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017) requires all GO rail station areas to achieve a minimum density of 150 residents and jobs combined per hectare. Intensification is unlikely to occur without intentional policy and partnerships to encourage development. Mid-rise buildings, the typical residential form needed to meet the intensification target, are often challenging to develop in suburban areas. Similarly, employment intensification can be challenging to achieve without incentives for office location. Policy, politics and market viability all impact intensification. Changes are needed at the provincial, regional and local level to encourage development. Regulatory changes like zoning, partnerships between Metrolinx and developers and/or financial incentives, such as reduced development charges, should be explored to encourage intensification. Suburban GO rail station intensification is an opportunity to achieve multiple policy goals, such as the creation of walkable, affordable communities that increase housing choice.

An article on transit station intensification in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, used the keywords: transit oriented development, intensification, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
Punching out: exploring justifications for employment land conversions in the GTA
Authors: Cogliano David
Published: May 2021

The current planning framework in the Province of Ontario is based on principles of “smart growth” including transit oriented development, intensification, and a focus on building complete communities. While the advancement of these principles has been positive in certain cases, the literature identifies that industrial lands may face redevelopment pressure as smart growth principles are adopted. This paper provides the opportunity to assess the extent of which this is the case in the context of the City of Markham. A content analysis of twelve employment land conversion applications provides for an on-the-ground case study of how the planning framework in Ontario, informed by smart growth principles, is leveraged by developers to support employment land conversions. Research findings include conflicting interpretations, among stakeholders, of planning policy goals related to employment land. Recommendations include the need for a more consistent articulation of policy goals and a rethink of traditional zoning strategies for industrial lands.
Commuting for work and neighbourhood energy consumption
Authors: Rowshan Dil
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to explore the impact of the Places to Grow Plan 2006 on travel behavior of the work commuters living in GTHA. A comparative analysis was done between the year 2001 and 2011 which represent the situations five year before and after the implementation of the Plan. Data were collected from Transportation Tomorrow Survey. The study revealed that in 2011, energy consumption by motorized vehicles increased in the Traffic Assessment Zones of GTHA around the Growth Centres designated by the Places to Grow Plan. Active transportation increased mainly in Toronto in 2011. It is apprehended that the intensification strategy of the Places to Grow Plan contributed in increasing the energy consumption of work commuters either by increasing the number of trips or length of trips made by motorized vehicles (including cars and different forms of transit) which also affect the Greenhouse Gas emissions in the atmosphere.
Planning for the social sustainability in Toronto : considerations of governance and planning policy
Authors: Shaikh Aslam
Published: May 2021

This paper argues for a greater emphasis to be placed on the need to plan cities to better ensure their social sustainability. Through an examination of planning policy, this paper describes the general lack of provisions or conditions in planning policy for ensuring a more socially sustainable future in Ontario municipalities, including Toronto. It is argued that government reform in Ontario has hindered the ability for municipalities to maintain social sustainability. Recommendations are made for the role that the province can take to once again strive for social sustainability through the inclusion of statements within provincial policy that aim to address social issues. It is also suggested that greater social sustainability can be fostered through a more effective and meaningful civic engagement process that serves as a forum to hear the input of citizens in describing the diverse needs of their communities.
Engaging Farmers Through Facebook : the Use and Potential of Web 2.0 Tools in Agricultural Planning Practice
Authors: Weigeldt H. Nicholas
Published: May 2021

The Web 2.0 represents a new way to communicate, collect data and access all types of data and information online. It places full value in the 'wisdom of the crowd', recognizing the real-time contributions and knowledge individual users of the Web can contribute. To contrast this, formal planning is incremental and methodological.
The actualized and potential application of emerging Web 2.0 tools and technologies in the food and agricultural planning context in southern Ontario forms the basis for this major research paper. Through qualitative analysis of several online initiatives, I seek to determine how and where user-generated data and information (collected and distributed by agricultural producers and consumers and not just by planners, other government officials) can fit into the formal planning process through new ways of collaboration and online engagement.
Ultimately, much of the leadership around Web 2.0 comes from informal networks or non-governmental organizations organizing around food and agricultural production. Planners working in formal institutional settings must continue to understand the niche that these tools can play in their own engagement efforts and determine how best to use the vast wealth of average citizens' food and agricultural knowledge increasingly available online.
"Hey Faggot" : Understanding that the Current Homeless System Planning Policy, and Land Use Planning Tools is not Designed to Address the Socialized and Institutionalized Disregard for the LGBTQ Homeless Youth Population
Authors: Bar James
Published: May 2021

Making up a disproportionate amount of the homeless youth population, LGBTQ homeless youth face a myriad of problems from increased depression and anxiety, emotional and belonging issues; higher rates of suicide, drug and alcohol abuse; and higher rates of STI and heath problems associated with increased rates of survival sex.

The findings, derived from a literature review, a review of current policies and land use planning tools in Toronto, interviews with two frontline homeless service providers and two policy workers, have brought to light areas where the profession of urban planning can contribute to reform the current system of shelter and support facilities.

Through language and skills training, provincial and municipal policy on housing and homelessness, land use planning tools of zoning by-­‐laws and public consultations and the siting of facilities, and political backing, urban planning can help to aid in the provision of services for LGBTQ homeless youth.
Out of the rough: how can municipalities better utilize their golf lands?
Authors: Watt Darcy James
Published: May 2021

Golf has declined in recent years as younger generations fail to take up the sport leaving many municipally-owned golf courses in financial trouble. As cities face numerous growing challenges such as housing, public transit and the lack of public greenspaces, closing municipal golf courses has been touted as a possible solution. While municipal golf courses are open to the public, barriers to entry such as a dress code and green fees have left them inaccessible to many residents making them not truly public spaces. Municipal golf courses however do have benefits such as providing an affordable golfing experience in an urban setting. This research paper will look at how municipalities can better utilize their golf course lands with a focus on two City of Toronto municipal golf courses: Scarlett Woods Golf Course and Dentonia Park Golf Course. This paper highlights the different options cites could employ to adapt their golf facilities.

Key Words: golf, golf courses, parks and recreation, Toronto, redevelopment, adaptation, parks and physical activity, Scarlett Woods, Dentonia Park,
Exploring the relationship between social isolation, loneliness and housing
Authors: Wardle Jennifer L.
Published: May 2021

A significant demographic shift is underway in Canada. The aging of the population, which is expected to accelerate over the next two decades, is anticipated to create new issues and challenges for planners and policy makers. Issues of social isolation and loneliness have long been recognized as problems that affect seniors. Both social isolation and loneliness have been associated with significant implications for health and well-being, yet these issues have largely been discussed only in the field of gerontology and health. This paper explores the relationships between social isolation, loneliness and housing. Key themes identified in the literature on social isolation and loneliness are used to inform a discussion on the potential for housing to help alleviate these problems. Four housing options, cohousing, congregate housing, home sharing and garden suites are presented. Each option presents a number of opportunities for greater socialization and companionship; however, each is similarly faced with a number of challenges. Despite the potential for these options to help reduce or alleviate these problems, none of the options presents a 'magic bullet' solution. Addressing social isolation and loneliness remains an extremely challenging problem for planning and greater research is needed to address the gaps in the literature.
Community energy planning in Ontario and British Columbia: Climate action at a municipal planning level
Authors: Brodeur Jessica
Published: May 2021

Community Energy Planning (CEP) is a process that allows municipalities to develop and implement local climate action, meet carbon reduction goals, and ensure a steady supply of clean energy. This MRP compares CEP in four municipalities in Ontario and British Columbia, to examine the reasons that led municipalities to undertake CEP and the roles that the municipalities undertook in the process. By using a policy comparison and interviews with Subject Matter Experts, the role that the municipality played to develop and implement CEP, and the role of the CEP within the community were evaluated. The municipalities studied were seen to have undertaken the expected roles to varying degrees and with various methods. Key Words: An article on energy and emissions planning in Canadian municipalities, used the key words: community energy planning, climate action, energy policy, local environmental planning
Placemaking & Engaging Diverse Communities: Exploring Opportunities for Community Arts in Toronto’s Mobility Hubs
Authors: Nayeri Roozbeh
Published: May 2021

As high-volume nexuses between different modes of transportation interfacing with various other employment, retail, residential and recreational land-uses, mobility hubs are a key component of expected future improvements in Toronto’s transit infrastructure. Transit-oriented considerations have increasingly become a central factor guiding urban development and growth. The inherent challenge of engaging a diverse urban population in decisions about the built environment can be further compounded when seeking to animate communities with marginalized populations while using ‘one size fits all’ engagement methods. Nonetheless, the dynamic nature of sustainability creates a need to revise community visions frequently. This paper draws on interviews with community arts professionals and art educators, as well as representatives from transportation, urban planning, urban design and architecture to explore the potential of community art as a transformative tool and as a way of fostering more inclusive urban regeneration. The potential for community art as a more central element in the planning and development of mobility hubs is also examined. The results identified that community arts and arts-based engagement strategies have the potential to help overcome many of the pervasive barriers to participation associated with traditional engagement methods. A host of process- and outcome-oriented benefits were identified by participants, including the potential for fostering inter- and intra-neighbourhood dialogue, building a stronger sense of neighbourhood identity, and developing capacity towards community-led neighbourhood regeneration. The results have implications for the transformative and capacity-building potential of community art and arts-informed engagement strategies as perceived and utilized by urban planners.
Rust never sleeps : infrastructural urbanism and planning for change
Authors: Krecklo Jessica
Published: May 2021

The research project explores the potential that exists when infrastructure is used to plan for cities that are experiencing economic restructuring. The North American Rust Belt is used as an example to better understand the process of economic restructuring, the possible consequences of this for municipalities, and for examples of how infrastructure can be used to repurpose, reconfigure and regenerate these places. Planning literature looking at decline and regional disparity informs this. The emerging theory of landscape urbanism and its understandings of infrastructure are used as a potential way of planning infrastructure for places that are experiencing change. Examples of planning initiatives that use infrastructure to plan in innovative ways are presented and analyzed, and a conceptual planning response is developed for Oshawa, Ontario which synthesizes this research.
Propelling employee led Innovation in public transit agencies
Authors: Cooper David
Published: May 2021

This paper takes a high level investigation of what elements and considerations are needed to develop a formalized process for idea generation and evaluation for continuous improvement in a major transit agency. A detailed analysis was undertaken of the past and current processes and organizational structures at TriMet (Portland, Oregon’s transit agency) to develop an innovation framework to enhance employee engagement and encourage idea generation internally with staff and externally with community partners. This study was informed by a literature review, documentation of case studies on existing continuous improvement and innovation frameworks in four comparable American transit agencies and in person semi structured interviews of TriMet staff from across the agency. A series of twelve recommendations informed by research, staff interviews and analysis discusses how existing processes and structures could be integrated into a formalized innovation framework for the transit agency.
A concept plan for Kennedy Mobility Hub: envisioning transit oriented development in Toronto's inner suburbs
Authors: Koblauch Kasper O.
Published: May 2021

This project presents a concept plan and vision for Kennedy Mobility Hub in Toronto, Ontario. The concept plan seeks to achieve six project goals, which are informed by a literature review, policy review, and context review. The goals are: to increase residential and employment density; achieve a more complete mix of transit-supportive land uses; replace all surface parking currently on developable public lands; improve the pedestrian and cyclist experience; expand greenspace; and ensure seamless transit mobility. The concept plan proposes extensive changes to the project area including mid-and high-rise development on all publicly owned surface parking lands. A number of new and extended roads are proposed to increase the area's permeability and facilitate development. Residential and employment densities for hypothetical development sites are calculated and discussed. The project highlights some of the pragmatic planning challenges, and potential solutions, associated with retrofitting commuter parking nodes to become transit-and pedestrian-oriented urban environments.
Beyond the Built Boundary: Could Developing Parts of the Whitebelt Actually Be Beneficial?
Authors: Rowe Emelie
Published: May 2021

The development of rural lands along the urban fringe has remained an ongoing concern for both future growth and the protection of existing farmland. These lands are referred to as the whitebelt. It is a term used within the planning industry to refer to agricultural lands that are neither within a municipal boundary nor the Greenbelt. The lack of clarity surrounding the whitebelt has created a sharp divide in opinions around urban growth and the future of these lands. The purpose of this paper is to better understand opinions of the whitebelt through six stakeholder interviews and a case study. The recommendations presented are based on the responses of the participants to address gaps in the existing policy and how these lands will be treated during future urban expansions and growth. In doing so, the stakeholder interviews established that further research
on the topic is essential.

Keywords: Whitebelt, Land Use Planning, Urban Expansion, Development, Greenbelt, Land Supply
Changing demographics in Hamilton may leave the kids behind
Authors: Diplock Michelle E.
Published: May 2021

This paper addresses the stark geographic disparity that youth in Hamilton face when trying to access services. There is a high number of youth services concentrated in the inner and lower city, but this does not seem poised to meet the changing demographics and needs of the city of Hamilton. Gentrification and community uplift have started in the lower city, and as such, having a majority of youth services located in the downtown presents a major form of disconnection. This is especially shown as youths living in poverty begin to be pushed out of the lower city and into the inner suburbs on top of the Niagara Escarpment—a place that is geographically cut off from the rest of the city. This paper examines these issues and presents recommendations, to help youth and the City of Hamilton address this disconnection as Hamilton experiences unprecedented
growth and development, which may leave the youth behind.

Key words:
An article on social planning and youth programing in Hamilton, Ontario, used the key words: Hamilton; youth services; gentrification; access.
Supportive Housing for Those Dealing with Mental Health and Addiction Issues in Toronto : an Interview Study to Consider System Level Characteristics and Service Planning Issues
Authors: Ala-Leppilampi Kari
Published: May 2021

This paper reports on an interview study that was conducted by the author with executive directors representing 10 agencies in Toronto which provide supportive housing for those dealing with mental health and/or addiction issues. It provides a review of the literature and evidence with respect to such housing, and describes its origin, evolution and general characteristic in Toronto. It then focuses on discussing themes identified over the course of the interviews, in relation to overall system planning...and lack thereof. Alongside of expected but important themes, such as the desperate shortage of housing stock, a number of more subtle trends are uncovered. For example, the increasing imposition of concepts and practices from the hospital and private data management sectors, are proving troublesome for some supportive housing providers as they threaten their community and client centered values, beliefs, principles and practices.
Development of a planning assessment to repurpose and redevelop under-utilized and deteriorating Toronto District School Board properties into community hubs
Authors: Saleh Safiyyah Omar
Published: May 2021

One of the main issues faced by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the poor structural condition of its aging school buildings. As of school year 2016/2017, the total renewal/repair backlog for all of TDSB schools has reached $3.4 Billion, with approximately 103 TDSB schools operating at a 65% or lower utilization rate (TDSB, 2014f). There is an immense pressure on school boards, particularly the TDSB, to sell off schools that have been declared as surplus (Mangione & Suen, 2015). However, the selling of school properties that have a high social and economic value is not a sustainable approach for the long run. Hence, there is a need for an effective and resilient planning strategy that will efficiently address the issues faced by the TDSB. As a result, this research will be recommending a land assessment tool that will efficiently repurpose and redevelop school properties, in critical condition, into community hubs and replace old and deteriorating TDBS schools with newer school facilities.

Key Words: TDSB; Surplus Schools; Community Hubs; Shrinking Cities; Public Assets;
The role of transportation in older adult social activity participation: a qualitative study in Mississauga, Ontario
Authors: Tam Sonia Suet Yi
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this research was to explore accessibility and how older adults in suburban communities are participating in social activities outside their home. Twenty older adults in Mississauga, Ontario took part in this study. A combination of activity-based travel diaries and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Findings suggest that understandings of accessibility vary between users of different transportation modes. Further, travel time rather than distance travelled may be a more significant indicator of participation. Land use mix also attracts participation, while conditions that risk the health and safety of older adults are deterrents. This research contributes to the limited literature on older adult social participation as related to transportation. Results from this study highlight potential problems for older adult accessibility in a suburban context. Research may inform the development of accessibility interventions, municipal land use policies, and public transit strategies to build healthier, more
inclusive age-friendly communities.
Do development permit systems inherently facilitate intensification objectives
Authors: Kashin Brandon
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether Development Permit Systems passively achieve policy-related intensification objectives in addition to explicit provisions. The methodology includes a brief history and review of applicable laws to explain how Development Permit Systems were created in Ontario. An overview of the Town of Gananoque policy documents is discussed and compared to Growth Plan intensification objectives. Development Permit System benefits and disadvantages are compared to Growth Plan intensification policies and Gananoque
Official Plan residential policies to determine whether Development Permit Systems inherently achieve Growth Plan objectives. The key finding is that Development Permit Systems somewhat inherently achieve residential intensification policies, depending on whether the intensification provisions are included within the DPS to begin with and whether there are intensification policies included in the associated Official Plan policies.
Park planning in ethnic minority neighbourhoods : Toronto's priority areas
Authors: Marok Kiran
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the park planning and design process in ethnic minority neighbourhoods, such as Toronto's 13 Priority Areas. Through the selection of two case study Priority Areas (Jane-Finch and Malvern), an extensive literature review, interviews and youth focus groups, issues in park planning in the Toronto context are identified. Qualitative data collection highlights concerns regarding standardized parks that do not meet the needs of their diverse clientele, inadequate facilities and lack of public participation in park planning. Recommendations for park planning for ethnic minority neighbourhoods include approaching park planning as a process rather than a service, conducting park user surveys, improving access to information, and community mobilization, among others.
Ontario's public infrastructure : adapting to climate change
Authors: Carafa Mark
Published: May 2021

The rapid pace at which the climate is changing has forced governments globally to focus on adaptation techniques for their built environment. This paper will define and explain Ontario's current management framework over its building portfolio and identify gaps in planned adaptation strategies and recommend solutions to fill these gaps. This research will be informed by current literature that details the most appropriate and successful approaches to managing a building portfolio in the face of climate change. Recommendations will be made as to how Ontario's public infrastructure frameworks and strategic approaches can be modified to embody a more holisitic, realistic and result-based approach to built form adaptation.
A study of commercial gentrification and the displacement of small businesses in the downtown Yonge Street neighbourhood
Authors: Flood Anna
Published: May 2021

This research explores the unintended consequences of recent development trends for small businesses along Yonge Street between Bloor Street and College/Carlton Street in Toronto. By examining development projects between 2007 and 2018, the preference for large retail units at ground level with high-rise residential condominium towers above is evident. Heritage buildings and attributes are being demolished, where allowed, to create the base that supports this type of development. New development projects are increasing property values and taxes, and commercial rents. The lack of appropriately sized and priced retail space is displacing successful small businesses. The residents who are new to the neighbourhood are increasingly young persons who have higher incomes and levels of educational attainment. Small businesses may be unable to adapt to their consumer preferences. Key opportunities are identified for the City of Toronto to support successful small businesses in the neighbourhood and to maintain the character and heritage of Downtown Yonge Street.

Key words: planning; commercial gentrification; displacement; small businesses; Toronto
Community design indicators and neighbourhood population health
Authors: Smith Anthony
Published: May 2021

OBJECTIVE – Healthy community design is an emerging paradigm that unites the fields of Urban Planning and Public Health. This study calculates a comprehensive set of community design indicators (CDIs) using open data sets and links results to a wide range of health measures.
METHODS – A literature review informed creation of a comprehensive CDI framework and indicators were calculated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for 106 neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Correlations were then evaluated between CDIs and both built environment and health measures from the My Health My Community (MHMC) survey.
RESULTS – Several CDIs had moderate correlations with one or more health measures. In particular, there were many associations between CDIs and rates of utilitarian walking and levels of obesity.
DISCUSSION – This study supports professional practice related to evidence-based stakeholder engagement and decision-making, performance-based planning and design, measurement of health, economic and environmental performance of communities, and intersectoral collaborations that create a healthy community design vision and action-oriented implementation strategies.
The place for immigrants in Toronto's transit and transportation city
Authors: Kaur Amardeep
Published: May 2021

This study conducted qualitative interviews with nine immigrants on their experiences of public transit in Toronto. It synthesizes and builds on existing data that indicate that immigrants, especially women, highly depend on public transit despite settling in the peripheries of Toronto, away from subway lines and close to major highways. I identify gaps in existing academic and policy debates on transportation planning in Toronto and propose an environmental justice framework that is grounded in immigrants’ experiences of navigating public transit and their spatial locations. The research findings highlight the limited affordability of public transit, the poor servicing and connectivity of bus networks, and the resulting barriers to accessing work opportunities across the region. I further analyze the role of the built environment in limiting or facilitating access for gendered activities such as grocery shopping and traveling with children. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for new directions in transit policy and planning that can better address the changing demographics and social and spatial divisions in the city.
District Energy Within the Planning Context: Exploring the Barriers and Opportunities for District Energy and Community Energy Solutions in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Rogowska Marlena
Published: May 2021

Urban land-use planning guides the way cities look and grow. Good planning leads to orderly growth and helps shape goals and policies for development while addressing important social, economic and environmental concerns. The efficiency benefits that may be garnered by linking land use planning and energy planning remain largely untapped throughout Ontario. In the case of district energy (DE), the absence of a regulatory and policy framework at the national and provincial levels results in much uncertainty regarding the associated costs and benefits of DE relative to traditional energy delivery systems.

The purpose of this work is to explore Ontario’s planning framework with respect to meeting energy needs at the community level – including electrical and thermal (heating and cooling) energy needs, providing broad recommendations to all three levels of government that could help facilitate the development of district energy systems and offer more consideration to integrated community energy solutions.
You Are Here: a Review of Wayfinding Strategies for the Toronto Transit Commission
Authors: Young Christine
Published: May 2021

Barriers on the Toronto’s Transit Commission (TTC) network are driving the need for design and wayfinding innovation. This brief introduction examines the increasing issues of wayfinding, attitude, flow and culture on public transit. Despite
recent efforts, the TTC still need to continue updating wayfinding signs. Design and wayfinding solutions are a moderate intervention that can address these issues and improve overall travel experience. In the following sections, an overview of the methods provide the approaches and boundaries of this study that will look at different
wayfinding strategies.
Civic crafting: the potential of Minecraft for municipal civic engagement
Authors: Ward Lisa
Published: May 2021

Minecraft, the popular video game, shows promise as a planning engagement tool: it allows players to experience and manipulate a three-dimensional environment, it is easy to learn and understand, it is engaging and immersive, it is adaptable, and it has already begun to be used for geodesign and planning engagement. However, this game has not yet been studied to determine how it could best be used for this purpose. Using an analysis of key informant interviews, this study seeks to address this deficit and reflect on the ways in which this game could help planners achieve various engagement goals. Key findings in this study address Minecraft’s usefulness as a visualization tool, its role in building trust, the place of play in planning, and the challenges associated with conducting an accessible, interactive online engagement using Minecraft.
Enabling engagement: an exploration of accessibility planning from Berlin to Toronto
Authors: Li Jacky Hao-Kit
Published: May 2021

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a landmark piece of legislation that removes both physical and social barriers faced by people with disabilities. This Act will make Ontario fully accessible to people with disabilities by 2025 through the development of accessibility standards, all while changing the perceptions of accessibility and people with disabilities. This research paper will explore accessibility planning in Toronto. Given that planners work in communicative roles, there is little direction in AODA that discuss engagement activities. Planners must utilize a mix of high- and low-tech methods when engaging with vulnerable communities, especially
with people with disabilities. A case study of methods and planning policies in Berlin, Germany is presented to illustrate strong efforts in designing barrier-free spaces. Examples from Berlin will be then compared to Toronto’s efforts in addressing issues of accessibility and engagement with people with disabilities.
An investigation into a role for municipal planners in decisions pertaining to the future of surplus schools
Authors: Sauve Lauren
Published: May 2021

In addition to facilitating the education of children, school buildings and their surrounding footprint offer a wide range of community benefits. Consequently, when student enrolment falls and these buildings are slated for closure, the public benefits that these facilities provide are lost to the surrounding neighbourhood. Currently in Ontario, the mandate for school boards when closing surplus schools appears to be detached from that of the corresponding municipality. This MRP explores what is preventing these two entities from working together presently, and subsequently hypothesizes the role of a legislated partnership between municipalities and school boards when decisions are being made about the future of these sites. Not only would a more collaborative relationship between municipalities and school boards be beneficial in evaluating the potential for joint or alternative uses for school sites, but it would also afford an opportunity for municipal planners to study the intangible benefits of a school and the impact of closures on Official Plan policy objectives. The potential role for municipal planners in the school closure decision-making process will therefore be central to the findings of this paper.
An urban planning perspective on planning to address the needs and capabilities of a growing seniors population: an investigation of the senior friendly communities approach
Authors: Levine Brahm
Published: May 2021

This research examines the aging population and explores how the urban built environment should be transformed to be friendlier to seniors. Rapidly approaching, an unprecedented shift in demographics will significantly increase the proportion of the seniors’ population. Their changing needs and capabilities will pose accessibility issues within the built environment. A case study of the waterfront neighbourhood of Port Credit in Mississauga, Ontario will be used, as an example of a local aging population. By studying policy documents, a recent mixed-use development, site visits, and interviewing key informants, it was found that dense, compact and transit-oriented developments (TODs) that are walkable, allow seniors to age- in-place better, compared to the traditional neighbourhood design. In Summary, this research reveals that by making the urban built environment more walkable, and accessible, seniors can be more independent, safer and better be integrated into the community for a longer time.
Degree Of Compliance With Public Consultation For Awarded Wind Turbine Contracts Under LRP I Process
Authors: Boucher Sophie
Published: May 2021

Municipalities and residents criticized the planning process for large-scale wind energy projects imposed on them under the Green Energy Act, 2009 (GEA). As such, the Ontario government promised improvements in public engagement, and the FIT policies were replaced by the Large Renewable Procurement (LRP) process. To determine the compliance with the Independent Electricity System Operator’s engagement process under the LRP I, interviews with municipal planners and abutting landowners were conducted, and document information was reviewed. The key findings of this study include: 1) the final results did not support increased engagement statements made by both, former Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli and Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, as the majority of projects were awarded a contract without municipal support or abutting landowner support; and 2) all developers conducted mandatory consultation; however, the majority failed to truly engage with all stakeholders who would be the most affected by the project.
People, Place & Landscape : A Bottom-Up, Adaptive, Catalytic Approach to Tower Renewal
Authors: Cancelli Ariana
Published: May 2021

The process of improving poor, declining urban neighbourhoods is essential for the health and well-being of individuals as well as the prosperity of cities and nations. Despite the clear practical and ideological reasons for doing this, throughout history, governments and planners have struggled to find workable solutions. Today, it is becoming increasingly clear that in order to achieve equitable, substantive and sustainable improvements in poor urban neighbourhoods, the solutions must be layered and account for the interrelatedness of social, economic, and physical realms. Given the complexity of this process, this research suggests that bottom-up, adaptive and catalytic approaches to urban renewal can help planners to achieve substantive and sustainable change. Further, as contemporary urban theory suggests, the notions of landscape and place are uniquely well-suited mediums for supporting and producing change in a complex world. The Mayor's Tower Renewal Project in the City of Toronto, is an urban renewal initiative that demonstrates both the importance and complexity of urban renewal. As such, it provides an opportunity to understand how bottom-up, adaptive, and catalytic approaches which engage the urban landscape can result in significant improvements to the conditions of a declining urban area. Based on this analysis this research paper offers a new lens for thinking about and reacting to the process of urban revitalization in a way that produces equitable, long-lasting and meaningful change.
No free rides: winners and losers of the TTC U-pass
Authors: Butler Alex
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the financial gains and losses for students from the U-Pass scheduled to be implemented by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at universities in Toronto, Ontario in fall 2019. The U-Pass offers students unlimited travel on the TTC for $70 per month, but students are unable to opt-out. Toronto already has high existing student transit ridership and fares that are not integrated across municipal boundaries, setting a context in which U-Pass impacts different students in different ways. This study uses data from the 2015 StudentMoveTO survey to determine the financial losses and gains from students across different campuses, commute modes, and geographies. Students that benefit live within the City of Toronto and use TTC to get to school, while those expected to experience welfare losses either live outside of Toronto or live close enough to their campus to walk or bike to school.