Reinvesting in Toronto: What the Competition is Doing
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (May 10,
1999) from the Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services:
Purpose:
On May 17, 1999 Joe Berridge of Urban Strategies Inc. will give a presentation originally delivered at the Official Plan
Forum, "Shaping Toronto's Future", on April 7, entitled "Reinvesting in Toronto: What the Competition is Doing". This
report sets the scene for this presentation in the context of the emerging Official Plan work program.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Clerk distribute copies of Mr. Berridge's report to all Federal and Provincial Members of
Parliament for ridings in the Greater Toronto Area, and to the Councils for York, Halton, Peel, Durham, and
Hamilton-Wentworth Regions.
Synopsis:
The Berridge presentation will outline the degree to which American cities are investing in their downtowns, waterfronts
and in public transit. Substantial funding for reinvestment in cities is available from the Federal Government in the U.S., as
well as in Great Britain and elsewhere in Europe, but funding also is generated from a number of other sources. Examples
in the U.S. include tax credits granted to corporations for contributions to affordable housing equity funds, or property tax
abatement schemes. In addition, major corporations and foundations play a big role in local planning initiatives in
American cities (eg. H.J. Heinz in Pittsburgh and Eli Lilly in Indianapolis).
For his study, 14 major U.S. cities were looked at by Mr. Berridge. On average, these cities saw approximately $263
million (U.S.) per year spent on their downtowns and waterfronts through the '90s, with public contributions amounting to
about one-half of the total. By comparison, Toronto's downtown and central waterfront saw approximately $54 million
spent annually during the same period, including the Convention Centre expansion, the National Trade Centre, CBC
Headquarters, Spadina LRT and expansions at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.
In the U.S., the Federal Government is directly involved in urban reinvestment through the Transportation Equity Act for
the 21st century (a six-year program of $217 billion ) and through a number of other community and housing programs
(Community Development Block Grants, Home Investment Partnership Program and the Revitalization of Severely
Depressed Public Housing Program). These programs all reflect a strong commitment to preserving and enhancing the
existing urban structure through anti-sprawl / pro-intensification initiatives that advocate mixed-use developments along
with densities that support public transit and produce a more sustainable urban environment.
Mr. Berridge points out that an urban area the size of the Greater Toronto Area in the U.S. could expect to receive
considerable support for urban reinvestment through Federal Government programs for a total of $243.5 million (U.S.), as
follows:
-$42 million annually under the TEA-21 program;
-$155 million annually in Community Development Block Grant funding; and
-$46.5 million annually under the Home Investment Partnership Program, a mixed-income housing program.
What does this mean for Toronto?
Toronto can no longer rest on its laurels as the heart of the Canadian economy and the primary engine of national economic
growth. Ontario is a dynamic export based economy, with exports to foreign countries (primarily the U.S.) outpacing
exports to the rest of Canada by a factor of 2.5 and rising. With the advent of free trade the GTA economy has increasingly
become a North American economy. The fact that our recovery from the recession has been fuelled largely by the growth in
the U.S. economy is illustrative of the GTA's dependence on its neighbour to the south.
As a place to live and do business, Toronto is now, more than ever before, in competition with the major U.S. cities that
have embarked on significant reinvestment. The benefits of trade are greatest amongst equals and the GTA cannot afford to
lose its competitive edge. The findings of this study support the current direction of our work on the Official Plan, that is
the preparation of a strategic reinvestment plan for the City to maintain its competitive position among world cities of
similar size. Other speakers at the Official Plan Forum echoed some of the themes found in Mr. Berridge's research, but
also pointed to other considerations for our further work on the Official Plan. Some of the other messages delivered by the
panel of speakers that day include:
-social change goes hand in hand with economic renewal: any renewal plan must incorporate "inclusion strategies" which
work towards the active engagement of residents in the management and development of their communities (Howard
Bernstein, Manchester);
-enlightened social and environmental policies are part and parcel of our ability to prosper economically: social
investment decisions should not be positioned in opposition to fiscal considerations (Dr. Anne Golden);
-amalgamation offers an opportunity to work toward more transit-supportive densities (Dr. Carl Amrhein), and to
encourage more of a match of private investment with public investment (eg. examine potential for intensification around
the 68 subway stations in the City) (Alan Leibel).
In the final analysis, great cities have great visions. ... But what is essential is that private citizens, corporations and public
officials all share the vision of what makes a city great. For a city to be a great international city, it must learn from and
respect its heritage, it must build on and favour its economic strengths, it must provide vibrant civic spaces, it must value
civility, it must celebrate beauty, it must value great cultural and educational institutions and it must prize architecture of
the highest order of excellence. This I believe is the destiny of Toronto." (Allan Gotlieb, "The Challenge of Being an
International City", Shaping Toronto's Future, April 7, 1999)
Some of the lessons applicable to planning Toronto's future that emerged from this Forum include:
-Great cities have the ability to astonish! A commitment to good urban design and quality architecture is needed.
-It is important to balance flexibility and certainty. We have to look at the strategic use of planning resources and tools.
-We are destined for gridlock throughout the GTA if we don't invest in transit priorities. New funding sources must be
made available (eg. share of the gasoline tax).
-There is a total lack of programs supporting cities on the agendas of the Federal and Provincial governments. We need to
advocate for housing and transit funding and programs.
Members of Council received copies of the papers presented at the Official Plan Forum in their Official Plan Information
Kits. These papers are also accessible to the public through the public library system and from the City's Official Plan
website: www.toronto.ca/torontoplan. The next Official Plan newsletter will summarize the key messages from the
Forum.
Contact Name:
Kerri A. Voumvakis, Manager, Official Plan
Metro Hall, 22nd Floor
Tel: 392-8126
The following persons appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the
foregoing matter:
-Joe Berridge, Urban Strategies Inc.;
-Susan Deryk, CAA Central Ontario;
-Kevin Walters, CREGE;
-Linda Lynch, obo Peter Lucas, Showline Limited;
-Elizabeth Borek, LANA; and
-Karen Buck.
--------
The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having had before it the
following reports/communications, which were forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Urban
Environment and Development Committee for its meeting of May 17, 1999, and copies thereof are on file in the office of
the City Clerk:
-(March 1999), titled "Urban Futures: The First in an Occasional Series" prepared by Urban Strategies Inc.
-(Undated) from Elizabeth Borek, Lakeside Area Neighbourhoods Associations commenting on the impact of the film
industry in Toronto;
-(Undated) from Linda Lynch for Peter Lucas, President, Showline Limited stating that by dismantling the eastern portion
of the Gardiner Expressway, the City is not re-investing in Toronto but is mortgaging Toronto's future.
