Background Report - 2005

Toronto’s public realm is our commonly shared resource - a civic space where connections are created between our City and ourselves. Appealing, well-designed, well-maintained and accessible public spaces are recognized as essential in imparting a positive urban experience. The City has launched a number of inter-related efforts to strengthen, celebrate and ultimately elevate the quality of our public spaces. One such initiative now underway is the coordinated street furniture program.

A number of cities in the USA, Europe, Australia and Canada have recently carried out Coordinated Street Furniture Programs. With the expiry of transit shelter and waste/recycling bin contracts in 2007 and 2009 respectively, the City of Toronto has an exciting opportunity to create a new look and feel for our streetscapes by implementing a coordinated street furniture program.

The benefits of a coordinated street furniture program include:

• making streets more pedestrian friendly, enhancing public circulation and safety, and promoting a positive Toronto identity

• improving the appearance, quality, and functionality of street furniture

• integrating separate furniture items for improved ease of use and more effective placement

• providing an opportunity to reduce the total amount of advertising while simultaneously increasing its overall value and revenue for the City

• coordinating the placement of advertising on street furniture to make streets more attractive

• implementing and harmonizing rules, bylaws and regulations for street furniture

• achieving a higher level of service and maintenance at no cost to the City

• ensuring flexibility in the type, placement and scale of furniture items in each district of the City