Current Issues Papers
Graduates of the Masters in the Science of Planning (MScPl)
Table of Contents
On the Path Forward: Exploring the Experiences of Black Planning Students and Professional Planners in Canada 3
‘Slow Your Roll’: An Equity Based Analysis of Toronto and Los Angeles’ Slow Street Program 4
Planning for Sanctuary: Toronto's Role as a Sanctuary City since 2013 5
Developing a Community Economic Development Fund (CEDIF) Approach for the Ontario Context 6
Connecting Transit Oriented Development and Active Transportation: How far can we GO? 7
Dementia Inclusive Communities: Where Does Municipal Policy and Planning Stand? 8
Lost in Transition: An Examination of the City of Toronto’s Angular Plane Standards 9
Weaving Equity into Urban Food Systems: Planning for Food and Culture Gardens 10
Where Did the Trees Go? A Spatial Temporal Analysis of Landcover Changes in Toronto’s Major Transit Station Areas 11
Multispecies Planning: Connecting the A2A Corridor 12
O set Intersections as Barriers to Low Stress Cycling in Toronto: Early Colonial Origins, Equity Implications, and Design Solutions 13
Maintaining the Landscape: An Examination of Current Planning Practices on the Niagara Escarpment 14
Examining Opportunities for Light Industrial Mixed Use in Toronto’s Urban Core 15
Toronto’s Social Housing Ecosystem: From Metaphor to Analytical Tool? 16
Refugee Awareness for Inclusive Communities: A Case of Alevi Kurd Refugees in Toronto 17
From Concept to Concrete: Advancing Cycling Infrastructure in Scarborough Through Design 18
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On the Path Forward: Exploring the Experiences of Black Planning Students and Professional Planners in Canada
Priscilla Ankomah Hackman
Despite the growing popularity of urban planning in Canada, little attention has focused on the experiences of Black Planners and Students This study fills the gap by employing Critical Race Theory to explore the experiences of Black professionals and students in the field of planning in Canada. Drawing on in depth interviews, focus group discussion and secondary sources, the study reveals that significant systemic barriers a ect the support and success of Black students and professionals, and this accounts for their inability to contribute towards developing Black communities The study recommends the following: increase recruitment opportunities for Black planners and students; reforms in planning curriculum; providing mentorship and networking opportunities for Black Planners and students; providing mental health support for Black Planners; training and supporting more Black mental health providers and organisations.
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‘Slow Your Roll’: An Equity-Based Analysis of Toronto and Los Angeles’ Slow Street Program
Demetra Barbacuta
This paper aims to explore Toronto and Los Angeles’ ‘slow street’ programs as a street reallocation strategy implemented during the COVID 19 pandemic; this includes how both cities defined, considered, and implemented equity, and ultimately, how their experiences are being incorporated into future street design and planning. Through a literature review, document analysis, key informant interviews, and mapping ‘slow street’ locations against neighbourhood social data, the initial findings paint a picture of a street design initiative that struggled to find its footing Both cities used similar equity indicators, but a larger question that emerged around whether these programs reached their intended purpose and targeted population. While a pandemic initiative, the two cities’ experiences present lessons on street design in the face of emergency or piloting, using community engagement to ensure equity is achieved, and the need to build relationships on the ground to build resilience based on community need
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Planning for Sanctuary: Toronto's Role as a Sanctuary City since 2013
Fahima BegumWhile Toronto has been known as a sanctuary city since 2013, persons without status still face barriers when accessing services, as well as fear the risk of deportation This report explored Toronto’s progress from 2013 to the present in supporting persons without status by analyzing Council Decisions made within this timeframe. The analysis used a criterion based on the six measures outlined by the Access to City Services for Undocumented Torontonians Working Group, and identified six areas for growth for the city to ensure better supports for persons without status Highlights of the six recommendations include implementing Municipal ID cards, widespread sta training, and an auditing process of sanctuary city initiatives; exploring an alternative model of community safety; and advocating for regularization at a federal level.
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Developing a Community Economic Development Fund (CEDIF) Approach for the Ontario Context
Sarah Burrell
This paper discusses the Community Economic Development Investment Fund(CEDIF)model and the potential for an Ontario CEDIF to address access to capital challenges faced by Ontario’s rural and northern economies The CEDIFis a locally focused tool of community economic development (CED), typically enabled at the provincial level and used to facilitate the pooling of local capital to support the development, growth and/or maintenance of local businesses and cooperatives for community wealth building. In addition to the longstanding success ofQuebec’sfunds, the Nova Scotia Community Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF)has demonstrated strong economic and community impact. Following Quebec and Nova Scotia, provinces including PEI, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba have implemented a range of CEDIF and “quasi CEDIF” models This paper used a content analysis of government policy and legislative documents to analyze the regulatory, program/policy and implementation dimensions of CEDIF models across Canada, including political attitudes. Semi structured interviews with fourteen (N=14) government, community finance and CEDIFpractitioners from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Albertainformedthe development of six (N=6) case studies of CEDIF and “quasi CEDIF” models This paper emphasizes two major contributions to the literature on CEDIFs: first, a comparative analysis of the common features, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for refinement. Second, recommendations for a two phase, bottom up, regionally delivered CEDIF approach for the Ontario context.
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Connecting Transit-Oriented Development and Active Transportation: How far can we GO?
Sara Eng
The objective of this report is to understand the relationship between transit oriented development (TOD) and active transportation. TOD is a growth management strategy that has been adopted in the Greater Golden Horseshoe in e orts to create healthy and active communities. Using a mixed methods approach, this report identifies how the change of the built environment from 2009 2019 relates to the change of active transportation as an access/egress mode to GO stations. A key finding from this study is that there are only four examples of TOD around GO stations including; Aldershot GO, Oriole GO, Mount Joy GO, and Unionville GO. These few examples that experienced TOD were successful in increasing active modes of transportation. Four case studies were conducted for the GO stations that experienced TOD, in order to observe the pedestrian and cycling network on the street level. The case studies highlight how new development and pedestrian/cycling infrastructure must be connected through a safe network to achieve the highest levels of active transportation
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Dementia Inclusive Communities: Where Does Municipal Policy and Planning Stand?
Brooke Fleming
Globally the population is aging and those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s diseases is increasing in tandem This has and will continue to have huge implications on health care capacity and costs across Canada. Urban planning and design have not previously acknowledged the influence of their role in creating dementia inclusive communities. This research develops recommendations for municipalities through secondary and primary research methods. I ultimately contend that creating a more dementia inclusive community will create a more accessible community for many other users as well This research outlines the importance of continually updating planning documents and creating new documents, such as dementia inclusive plans to adjust to the changing demographic of municipalities.
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Lost in Transition: An Examination of the City of Toronto’s Angular Plane Standards
Siobhan Kelly
This paper explores Toronto’s angular plane standards a planning tool used to provide a transition between di erent scales of development and mitigate the impacts of higher rise development Recently, the City's angular plane standards have faced increasing scrutiny due to their financial, social, and environmental costs. This paper identifies challenges associated with the history, implementation, and built form outcomes of the standards through a review of developments along three Avenues and interviews with professional planners. Interviews with professionals also provide insights into the perceived e ectiveness of the angular planes and alternative approaches to regulate di erent scales of development Together, the findings build a strong case for the City of Toronto’s Planning & Development Department to evaluate and reconsider the continued application of angular planes.
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Weaving Equity into Urban Food Systems: Planning for Food and Culture Gardens
Katelyn Ling
Urban food systems are a growing policy and planning area for local municipalities given the intersectionality of food systems, and the urgent need to mitigate food insecurity and develop resilient communities This report analyzes the expression of interest (EOI) process for urban gardens to explore equitable planning practices and identify criteria to develop an inclusive evaluative framework to support the development of future gardens A jurisdictional scan of six municipalities was conducted, followed by interviews with city planning sta and gardeners. The research findings demonstrate that EOIs should be more transparent in their planning and evaluation process, and include criteria that promotes community support that reflects the needs of diverse users. This report recommends developing a workflow to outline the role of the planner and applicant, and a co developed criteria to evaluate EOIs that considers both existing policy and community priorities to create more accessible and inclusive garden spaces.
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Where Did the Trees Go? A Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Landcover Changes in Toronto’s
Major Transit Station Areas
Michael LiuHow has Toronto’s tree canopy changed near transit stations? This study uses GIS and Spearman’s Correlation to understand landcover changes near transit stations, their relationship with development activities, and their implications for future development and environmental requirements and policies. The findings found that land use zones with more robust urban forest protection and improvement requirements and policies positively correlate with the number of development applications and tree canopies. On the other hand, residential areas developments are often exempted from environmental requirements have negative correlations between development activities and tree canopies. The study recommends the city planning division and urban forestry division develop policies for urban forestry enhancement and protections with small scale developments as the city’s interest shifts to intensify these areas gently. Other recommendations include engaging residents to understand the challenges and barriers to tree planting in residential neighbourhoods and identifying underutilized spaces in the city.
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Multispecies Planning: Connecting the A2A Corridor
Joshua Morales FrancoMap of theAlgonquin toAdirondacks region. Image fromA2ACollaborative. The Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) Corridor is the best route of large scale migration for animals in eastern North America; however, there are multiple barriers to connectivity for animals who travel across it. This CIP identifies the physical barriers to connectivity in the A2A Corridor in Canada, the solutions to each barrier, and investigates how land use policy should respond to barriers to connectivity within the A2A Corridor. The methods employed include a literature review, policy review of land use plans, and GIS. The main barriers to connectivity include Highway 401, Highway 2, and Thousand Island Parkway The City of Kingston, Region of Leeds and Grenville, and Region of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry do not provide explicit proposals on reducing the impact of identified hotspots. The main recommendations include completing more studies to determine all roadkill hotspots, advocating for updates in land use plans to address the identified barriers, and adjust potential mitigation strategies depending on the impact of climate change.
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O set Intersections as Barriers to Low-Stress Cycling in Toronto: Early Colonial Origins, Equity Implications, and Design Solutions
Aayesha PatelThe availability of low stress cycling facilities is a necessary component of any strategies to achieve substantial decreases in car use. However, many of Toronto’s quiet residential streets are misaligned at major arterials, leaving dangerous gaps that necessitate riding on sidewalks or alongside tra c This can pose a barrier for those who are interested in cycling but deterred by perceived safety concerns. If uninterrupted low stress grids are found in many North American cities, how did Toronto come to have so many o set streets and what are their design solutions?
This multidisciplinary research bridges a knowledge gap between early work on the political economy of planning in 18th century Toronto and current policy e orts to increase active transportation. The three part project traces Toronto’s early colonial street development patterns using Fire Insurance Plans, and surveys recent intersection remediation projects to identify available solutions. Where technical constraints are high, the planning review process o ers a critical opportunity to bundle network improvements or road realignments with redevelopment. Finally, o set residential streets are mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to reveal hidden barriers in the low stress network and to inform future capital planning. Given the heightened impact of risk perception on women and racial minorities, the City should regard low stress cycling facilities as an essential building block of a more equitable transportation system.
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Maintaining the Landscape: An Examination of Current Planning Practices on the Niagara Escarpment
Rameez Sadafal
Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment is a significant ecological and geological feature that passes through many of Southern Ontario’s fastest growing and developing regions. It is currently maintained by multiple agencies, who govern land use on the Niagara Escarpment. This report sought to examine the current inter agency planning practices employed to facilitate the maintenance of the Niagara Escarpment while still allowing for compatible development. A mix method approach to research was utilized, drawing on key interviews coupled with a review of academic literature, policy, and legislation This report reveals that maintenance of the Niagara Escarpment is a complex process that is achieved through inter agency information sharing, coordination, and conflict resolution, facilitated through a mix of formal and informal processes. This report also explores how these processes are influenced by power and politics. This research has implications for development and policy planners working within or near environmentally significant areas.
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Examining Opportunities for Light Industrial Mixed-Use in Toronto’s Urban Core
Maggie Sarzynski
The City of Toronto is facing significant issues of diminishing urban industrial land within the city’s urban core areas. The City of Toronto can benefit from the intensification of light industrial in new mixed use development to accommodate new craft and light industrial economic activities that require to the close to the city centre To accommodate both population and economic growth, the City of Toronto is currently faced with the challenge of either changing or maintaining existing land uses so they can provide housing, as well as commercial space for businesses to grow. In many cases, the high demand for housing has overtaken other priorities, such as maintaining industrial pockets, which has led to rezoning for mixed use commercial and residential development. While a change in land use is beneficial for expanding housing supply, it is discounting for a possible need of new urban economic activities such as small scale distribution and manufacturing, artisanal bakers, home brewers and craft manufacturers. Light industrial uses can therefore be integrated into the mixed use environment and more specifically within new mixed use developments to meet demands for intensification.
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Toronto’s Social Housing Ecosystem:
Alexandra Simpson
From Metaphor to Analytical Tool?
Toronto’s social housing supply has experienced no significant growth for decades. Through a multi pronged, iterative approach using both a content analysis and interviews, a social housing ecosystem was produced to better understand the factors contributing to, and prohibiting, growth in the sector Eight unique elements were identified to represent the range of roles and actors responsible for the delivery of social housing. Using the ecosystem as an analytical tool, four main challenges were identified. These include policy disconnection, a lack of capacity to grow, disagreement over the role of social housing providers, and an ignorance to the unique needs of the nonprofit sector The ecosystem was used to inform five recommendations that work to align and strengthen all elements and spur growth
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Refugee Awareness for Inclusive Communities: A Case of Alevi Kurd Refugees in Toronto
Dilon Unutkan
Surges in refugee arrivals and their unpredictability have created significant pressures on settlement support systems in Toronto. The City has expressed the need to create the capacity to deal with surges more systemically and to introduce immediate and long term strategies to address service needs. Drawing on interviews, this paper contributes to literature and refugee research by discussing Alevi Kurd refugee settlement experiences in Toronto, how the lack of information a ects claimants, which aspects of o ered settlement services are appreciated, and identifies possible areas of improvement to these services and outreach. Findings identified key losses in community, knowledge, power, and resources and illustrated the need for accurate information, easily available and accessible services developed with feedback from refugee communities, and the need for more diverse, knowledgeable, and well trained professionals.
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From Concept to Concrete: Advancing Cycling Infrastructure in Scarborough Through Design
Matthew Whittier
Credit: Erica Duque, Dandy Horse Magazine
This CIP provides design recommendations and configurations for di erent types of cycling infrastructure in Scarborough, specifically looking at how they perform in di erent built environments Scarborough is an area within Toronto that was built in the post war era, with an auto centric development pattern and built environment and thus has long had inadequate cycling infrastructure with current cycling rates in the area being substantially lower than in other parts of Toronto. In response to this lack of cycling infrastructure, several proposals have been put forward to expand cycling facilities in the area with a recent University of Toronto (UTSC) report titled the Scarborough Opportunity providing both a comprehensive long term and interim cycling network plan for Scarborough The designs included in this CIP utilize the UTSC cycling network plan as a basis upon which specific cycling infrastructure configurations and designs were created.
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