Toronto
Toronto Chief Planner Supports Gardiner Expressway Removal
Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat has broken rank from Mayor John Tory on the issue of whether to replace or remove an elevated highway along the city's waterfront. The cost to replace the expressway, $919 million, is more than removing it.
Metros Seek Balance Between Fragmentation and Amalgamation
As the world's cities grow ever larger, local governments constantly ask themselves which is better: amalgamating into one metro-wide government, or maintaining autonomy among fragmented jurisdictions? The answer remains unclear.
Report Assesses Expressway Removal Options for the Toronto Waterfront
A recently released report makes the case for removing, in part or in full, an elevated span of roadway along the Toronto Waterfront.
'Great Green Living Room' Proposed for Toronto's Central Waterfront
The winners of a design competition to overhaul a popular tourist destination in Toronto have been announced. Now comes the hard part.
U.S. Subway Car Design Behind the Curve
Yonah Freemark examines U.S. subway systems and notes the lack of "open gangways" (i.e., the space between the cars). Only in the U.S. do doors separate cars. What gives?
Not 'The One' and Done—Toronto Amidst a Skyscraper Building Boom
Toronto has been the hottest scene In North America for skyscrapers in recent years, leading to comparisons to New York of the 1920s. Here's a look at a new wave of expected skyscrapers in Toronto.
City Leaders Flex Muscle in Ottawa
Canadian cities are no strangers to rankings of the world's most functional, attractive cities. Even so, the mayors of Canada's 22 largest cities want national leaders in Ottawa to adopt an even more explicitly pro-urban national agenda.
The Dramatic Evolution of Toronto's Skyline
An image comparing the present day with Toronto from only 13 years ago has some comparing the Canadian city to New York in the 1920s.
How to Promote a Kid-Friendly, Walkable City
Jennifer Keesmaat, chief planner and executive director for the city of Toronto, shares tips for how to create safe, fun environments for children.
Toronto's New Building Code Adds Height for Wood-Framed Buildings
The beginning of 2015 saw changes to Toronto's building code that will allow wood construction up to six stories. Supporters of the code change see multiple potential benefits from the code change.
Food Deserts Won't be Quenched by Mobile Markets
While mobile food markets can bring healthy produce to neighborhoods without grocery stores, their current model for driving food around cities is not financially sustainable.
Toronto to Narrow its Traffic Lanes
Toronto will begin rolling out a program to narrow traffic lanes on the city's streets. The new lane policy, recently completed, was in the works for the past year.
Report: Transit Oriented Development Leads the Market in Major Metros
A report released last week by Cushman & Wakefield has won a lot of attention from media outlets covering large-scale development market trends. Among the report's findings: growing cities need to better support transit-oriented development.
How Toronto is Making its Commuter Rail More Like Rapid Transit
Fifteen years in the making, Toronto is finally seeing increased ridership of its main commuter rail system, GO Transit, by changing its model from primarily serving suburban commuters to providing "all-day regional transit service."
How Tall is Too Tall?
What is the best height to promote good urban living? It needs to be high to attain necessary density but not so high that it detracts from the quality of life, particularly for existing residents. In short, what is the Goldilocks height level?
Mid-Rise: Density at a Human Scale
All growing cities must find ways to develop at appropriate, transit-supporting densities without overwhelming the surrounding context. The human-scaled, mid-rise building can be a solution—but achieving a good neighbourhood “fit” is not easy.
Why Privatizing Transit Won’t Get Toronto Anywhere
Full or partial privatization of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) would likely result in diminished service and a less expansive transit network.
Condo Developers Respond to Demand for Dog Amenities
As Toronto's condo-boom continues, condo buyers and councillors alike are calling for developments to be designed with canines in mind. Developers are now looking to include amenities like “pet spas” and rooftop 'dog runs' in their developments.
Crowdsourcing Toronto's "Homegrown National Park"
Led by the nonprofit David Suzuki Foundation, a volunteer workforce of "park rangers" is deploying creative green interventions along private properties and public spaces throughout Toronto to create a citywide green corridor.
2013: A Train Wreck Year for Toronto
Christopher Hume reflects on Toronto’s year of natural, political and transit catastrophes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
