April 1, 2016

 

The City of Toronto has initiated a study entitled Growing Up: Planning for Children in New Vertical Communities. The study examines how new multi-unit housing in high-density communities can better accommodate the needs of households with children and youth.  

 

The study, being undertaken by the City Planning division, will give direction on how new mid- and high-rise developments can better function for growing families. The study will look at how the condo unit, the building, and the neighbourhood can be improved to better suit a growing family.

 

Some examples of the issues that will be looked at as part of the study include condo unit size and layout, building amenities, the design of the public space around the building, and amenities in the surrounding neighbourhood. 

 

Seven areas across the city have been selected for study. These areas include the Downtown and Centres (Etobicoke, North York, Yonge Eglinton, and Scarborough Civic Centres), Sheppard Corridor (from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street) and Humber Bay Shores. 

 

In 2011, 11% of Toronto's downtown population were children and youth aged 19 years and under. That same year, 66% of households with children were living in buildings five storeys or taller, while the majority (59%) of units proposed or constructed are one-bedroom units.  

 

As part of the first phase of the study, City Planning has launched public consultation activities that will provide insight into the experiences of families with children currently living in high-rise buildings.  An online survey, available at http://ow.ly/10buWW, will determine the most important elements that make raising children in higher density communities easier. Interviews and workshops with industry stakeholders (architects and developers) will be used to identify the design and market related challenges facing family friendly housing.

 

This work follows up on the 2014 Condominium Consultations and the Chief Planner's Roundtable on Planning Cities for Families. More information about the 2014 consultations and the roundtable is available at http://ow.ly/10bvoG and http://ow.ly/10bvt7.

 

Additional information about the study is available on the City's website: http://ow.ly/10bvdT.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://ow.ly/10bP8N

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Bruce Hawkins, Strategic Communications, 416-392-3496, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.