Phase One of the Toronto Heritage Survey was launched on July 16, 2019, with City Council’s unanimous adoption of the recommendations of the City-wide Heritage Survey Feasibility Study report.
A city-wide heritage survey is a proactive, systematic study of properties within a municipality. The purpose of the survey is to identify sites with cultural heritage value according to a defined list of criteria. Key tasks associated with heritage surveys include extensive planning and historical research, walking or driving through an area to find and make a record of heritage resources, the organization and management of a database containing records, and the final production of an inventory of properties and areas with cultural heritage value.
City-wide heritage surveys are an emerging international best practice, and a building block for good planning. The Toronto Heritage Survey program will result in operational efficiencies, enhance civic leadership and responsiveness to provincial land-use planning and cultural heritage policies, and improve predictability for City staff, property owners and the public. A major outcome of the survey will be greater clarity about the location and value of the city’s cultural heritage resources. The Toronto Heritage Survey will engage stakeholders, communities and volunteers to weave together the histories and geographies of the amalgamated City.
In Phase One, the program will build resources and test models prior to reporting back to Council on the time, cost, and operational implications of a full-scale city-wide heritage survey.
The Toronto Heritage Survey program has launched Phase One in order to acquire the resources and to establish, through testing, the clear, consistent and efficient methods that will be required for a program of this scale. Phase One (2019-2021) will include the digital modernization of heritage data, the development and launch of an Indigenous Engagement Program, the initial planning of heritage survey volunteer and engagement programs, and the research and writing of historic context statements. Staff will also test and refine survey and engagement methodologies through the existing heritage study work program and through addressing the backlog of individual property nominations, to create efficiencies in evaluations and to assist in meeting service level demands.
Following the completion of the first phase of the Toronto Heritage Survey work plan, and prior to the scaling-up of the Toronto Heritage Survey, City staff will report back to Council to make recommendations on future phases of work.
The multi-year nature of a city-wide heritage survey requires a system of prioritization for survey areas. Staff are developing a clear, data-based approach to prioritizing survey areas. Potential criteria have been informed by past approaches to prioritizing study areas for Heritage Conservation Districts. In conjunction with Ryerson University’s Master of Spatial Analysis program, a multi-criteria evaluation tool has been created to analyze data attached to the criteria.
In Phase One, staff will bring both the draft criteria and the multi-criteria evaluation tool to stakeholders and the public for further consultation to arrive at a final prioritization process.
Public engagement is a well-established and essential part of all studies conducted by the City Planning Division, including all heritage surveys. An understanding of what communities consider to be heritage properties and areas is an important component in the evaluation of properties for cultural heritage value. A well-funded, inclusive and innovative engagement and consultation program will be essential to the survey program’s success and will leave a rich legacy of heritage data and of stronger, more cohesive communities.
In Phase One of the Toronto Heritage Survey, the Indigenous Affairs Office will advise City Planning on the development and delivery of a distinct engagement program for Indigenous communities. Staff will also develop a comprehensive public engagement program including potential partnerships, and a communications strategy, to support the Toronto Heritage Survey.
Volunteers can make important contributions to the Toronto Heritage Survey. In Phase One, staff will work with the City’s four Community Preservation Panels and Heritage Toronto to develop a volunteer program that will support the Toronto Heritage Survey, including the development of a fundraising strategy for community-based initiatives. The Community Preservation Panels are volunteer bodies nominated by community council, and have a broad mandate to engage citizens to protect, preserve, and promote heritage properties. Heritage Toronto is a City agency mandated to, among other things, serve as a focal point for volunteer sector groups.
Phase One of the Toronto Heritage Survey was launched on July 16, 2019, with City Council’s unanimous adoption of the recommendations of the City-wide Heritage Survey Feasibility Study report.
City Planning will report back through the City’s 2020 Budget process on a funding approach that will be required to support the first phase of the Toronto Heritage Survey. City Planning will report back to City Council again to make recommendations on future phases of work.