A bolder and more balanced Toronto
Report suggests ways to make the city livable and productive
A new planning research report that recommends, among other things, pedestrian-only streets, is painting a vision for the city that could help its future growth. Commissioned by EtobicokeLakeshore Councillor Peter Milczyn, an architect by profession, the Balanced and Bolder report was discussed at a committee Thursday and will influence this year’s review of Toronto’s Official Plan.
A key issue in the report, which takes stock of what other countries are doing, is finding a better balance of mixed-use development, which combines residential and commercial space. Some good Toronto examples include the new North Toronto Collegiate high school, which sits below a 24-storey condo tower, and the coming Shangri-la hotel, which will also house condos.
Toronto is doing “not nearly enough” of such development, Milczyn said. “We’re doing phenomenally well in attracting residential development, but extremely poorly in attracting new office and commercial development.”
London, England, for example, requires 25 per cent commercial use in certain projects.
Another recommendation is to put in place planning rules that promote intense development along new transit lines, such as the coming Eglinton-scarborough Crosstown LRT line. Hong Kong, Madrid and Vancouver offer some models.
The report also suggests improved incentives for heritage preservation and turning “dead” urban alleyways into beautiful corridors.
The report’s survey of urban planning visions around the world includes Copenhagen, which aspires to be the “eco-metropolis of the world,” and Auckland, the “most livable city.” Milczyn said Toronto’s vision could be “the best big city to raise a family,” with great schools, health care, parks and work space.
The “million dollar question,” according to Andre Sorensen, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who specializes in geography and urban planning, is: “Do we have the capacity to actually be proactive about planning?”
He said the city’s planning department has been gutted by retirements and lack of new hiring over the past few years, resulting in a serious shortage of resources.
Milczyn said the Official Plan guides development and growth in the city, which is initiated and financed by the private sector.
As to the growth that will occur, he said, “we can put in place some rules to direct it more properly.”