Events
Presentations
Driving Solutions to the Housing Crisis - David Amborski, CUR Director, presents at RESCON Housing Summit
The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) held its third virtual housing summit (external link) on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. The theme of this year's summit was "Driving Solutions to the Crisis". David Amborski, CUR's Director, presented a talk titled Streamlining & Modernization of Development Approvals. His key conclusions are:
- The Planning Approvals Process is lengthy and inefficient which leads to increased costs in terms of information/studies required, and delays in obtaining approvals;
- Very little progress has been achieved to streamline this process;
- Recent research has documented the magnitude and impacts of the problem; and
- The solution requires both technology and change management.
(PDF file) View the presentation here
CUR at the Ontario Land Tribunal - Expanding Housing Supply and Affordability
September 11, 2023 - Dr. Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow at CUR, gave a presentation to a Professional Development Meeting of the Ontario Land Tribunal which covered the following points:
- Housing market area: Municipalities like the city of Toronto and the 905 regions are part of a larger housing market area - this municipal fragmentation means the province must be in charge, including financing infrastructure, for effective housing policies.
- Affordability: There are three separate but interrelated affordability challenges: lower-income, middle-income, and homelessness.
- Understanding housing buyers and renters: Most homebuyers and renters have an ingrained desire for ground-related housing - singles, semis and townhouses. Missing middle housing like stacked townhouses are the closest substitutes to the single-detached house. High-rise apartments are not a near match for ground-related homes.
- Supply of shovel-ready lands: There is a severe deficiency of shovel-ready land for ground-related and missing middle housing, which must be addressed for housing affordability to improve.
- Ottawa/Toronto CMA comparison: The much greater decline in affordability in metropolitan Toronto than in metropolitan Ottawa is attributed to two factors: (1) the city of Ottawa is a single housing market, and the city of Toronto is not, and (2) Ottawa has not been encumbered with the GGH Growth Plan
- The Future: Despite all efforts, housing unaffordability will continue to be a characteristic of metropolitan Toronto. Improvement is dependent on significantly increasing supply (especially missing middle and rental housing), curtailing demand (a severe recession or sharply reduced immigration), and ensuring environmental, planning and infrastructure financing policies do not needlessly push housing costs higher or reduce supply.
(PDF file) View the presentation here
CUR at the 60th Anniversary of the Association of Ontario Land Economists
June 27, 2023 - In a keynote address to the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Association of Ontario Land Economists, CUR researcher Frank Clayton covered an assortment of topics related to land and housing supply issues in the Toronto census metropolitan area (the Toronto region). These included:
- The severe shortage of shovel-ready sites for ground-related and missing middle housing types in the Toronto region.
- The failure of municipalities and the Province to regularly monitor the adequacy of the short-term land inventories by unit type despite being a requirement of the Provincial Policy Statement since the1990s.
- The creation of a regional government - the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (Metro Toronto), with its boundaries encompassing the commutershed - led to an explosion in housing production in the 1950s.
- In the mid-1980s, housing affordability was the same in the Toronto and Ottawa urban regions which both had upper-tier municipal governments.
- Affordability has since deteriorated in both areas; however, Toronto experienced a much more significant decline after the mid-2000s – by this time the Toronto region commutershed extended far beyond the boundaries of Metro Toronto into many more municipalities.
- The more severe deterioration in housing affordably in the Toronto region compared to Ottawa can be linked to the existence of a region-wide municipality whose mandate covers the Ottawa commutershed. vs the municipal fragmentation in Toronto.
- The Ottawa region has produced an annual inventory of greenfield land by state of the development process and unit type since 1982 - in the Toronto region, a comparable land inventory has not been available since 1993, a span of 20 years.
- As a result, Ottawa has been much more proactive in monitoring regional demand and land supply and taking steps to ensure enough shovel-ready land by unit type.
In the absence of a Toronto region government, it is up to the Province to assume this role and provide and fund the infrastructure required to produce a sizable increase of housing of all types but especially ground-related and missing middle forms.
(PDF file) View the presentation notes and (PDF file) the presentation write up in The Land Economist Magazine
CUR at OPPI 2022
Inclusionary Zoning: Using Various Policy Frameworks for Municipal Applications
At the Ontario Professional Planners Institute's annual conference in September, CUR’s Director, David Amborski, presented his research into the use of Inclusionary Zoning as a land capture tool by various municipalities.
The objective was to provide an overview of the policy frameworks and decisions that must be undertaken in developing an Inclusionary Zoning policy in Ontario. A distinction was drawn between using an “exaction” policy framework and a “land value capture” policy framework. It pointed out the range of decisions that should be made as part of the policy process and the types of studies and analysis that must be undertaken to develop an effective Inclusionary Zoning policy. The presentation illustrated that policy development is complex and it is necessary to consider the potential market impacts in the development of the policy.
Amborski agreed with a 5% cap on units where the policy is designed as mandatory and is effectively an exaction, as in the situation in the City of Toronto. However, where offsets are provided, especially where increased density is provided and land value increases are shared, there can be provisions for higher contributions for affordable housing depending on the value of the offsets.
(PDF file) View the Presentation here >>>
CUR at OPPI 2020
The Impact of Land Use Planning on Housing Affordability: An Economic Analysis
In a virtual presentation to the Ontario Professional Planners Institute's annual conference, CUR’s Frank Clayton and Diana Petramala argued that land use planning regulation was a primary cause of the high housing price/income ratio in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
They referenced recent studies concluding that planning regulation was responsible for between 25% (Los Angeles) and up to 56% (Auckland) of the price of housing and opined that the contribution of GTA planning regulation to housing prices falls within this range. The only way to effectively provide price relief is for municipalities to flood the market with a supply of approved serviced sites by unit type.
With its recent amendments to Policy 1.4 of the Provincial Policy Statement and the Land Needs Methodology, the Province is requiring municipalities to greatly increase their supply of ready-to-be-built-on sites by unit type and to monitor their performance.
Recent Events
Women and Cities: Planning for Equity
A Presentation from CUR and City Building Ryerson in recognition of International Women's Day
Presented in recognition of International Women’s Day, this webinar with Diana Petramala, Senior Economist, Ryerson Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, and Hannah Chan Smyth, MPl candidate, will look at a large body of literature that demonstrates how gender biases in city planning can disadvantage women, highlighting the city of Vienna’s experience in undoing its effects.
It will also discuss the role that gender mainstreaming in city planning can play in supporting women’s participation in the labour market and overall economic growth. The conversation will provide lessons to cities around the world, including Toronto, for an equitable post-pandemic return to work, as well as longer-term guidelines and inspiration for creating cities that remove barriers faced by women globally.
Presented by City Building Ryerson
Alain Bertaud, In Conversation
A Presentation from CUR and City Building Ryerson in recognition of National Housing Day
Alain Bertaud is a Senior Fellow at the esteemed Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University and former Principal Urban Planner for the World Bank. In his 2018 book, "Order Without Design: How Markets Shape Cities", he outlined a diagnostic tool for assessing the impact of housing market policies on the supply of affordable housing.
The Ryerson Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) will soon be releasing its latest research, “A Tool for Evaluating Affordable Housing Policies in the GTA”, which applies a modified version of Bertaud’s diagnostic tool to data from the Greater Toronto Area.
On Monday, November 23rd, Mr. Bertaud joined Diana Petramala, Senior Economist for CUR, to discuss his seminal approach for housing affordability data analysis and CUR’s latest findings. This was followed by a Q&A with Ryerson students and the audience.
Our discussion with one of North America’s foremost thinkers on the economics of land use planning, Alain Bertaud, can be found at the link below.
Presented by City Building Ryerson
What Is The Economic Outlook For the GTHA To The Year 2031 And What Does It Mean For Incomes, Housing Prices and Rents?
About the Seminar:
CUR researchers Diana Petramala and Frank Clayton will present the findings of their recent study addressing three questions:
(1) How are economic activity and employment in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) expected to change over the next decade?;
(2) What are the implications for future average household incomes?; and
(3) How is this economic outlook expected to impact housing affordability in the region?
Come, listen, ask questions of the authors and provide your own take on the economic and housing market future of the GTHA.
Panelists:
Frank Clayton
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Urban Research and Land Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
Diana Petramala
Senior Researcher
Centre for Urban Research and Land Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
Alain Bertaud: Time for Economics to Revolutionize Land Use Planning in the GTA?
About the Seminar:
Alain Bertaud, in his recent book "Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities", makes the case for a revolution in land use planning regimes around the globe. By applying the theories of urban economics to the practice of urban planning, Bertaud argues we can improve the productivity and welfare of citizens in urban regions like the GTA.
His presentation focused on a number of issues. These included the purpose of urban regions; the role of politicians and planners; the need to rely more on market forces to spatially allocate employment and housing, urban transport strategies and affordable housing; and how planners and economists can work better together to improve the management of urban regions and municipalities.
His presentation was followed by commentary by a panel of land use planners before the session was then opened for attendee questions, moderated by Frank Clayton, the Senior Research Fellow for the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development.
Panelists:
Matthias Sweet
Assistant Professor
School of Urban and Regional Planning
Toronto Metropolitan University
Russell Mathew
Partner
Hemson Consulting Ltd.
(PDF file) View the Presentation >>>
Leveraging Public Land and Public-Private Partnerships to Provide Social Housing
About the Seminar:
Government housing agencies have recently been leveraging public land to build or rebuild social housing units. The Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) hosted a seminar which presented three case studies showcasing how this is being undertaken internationally. In Toronto’s case, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) has used this innovative approach to redevelop Regent Park and other sites. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is now undertaking a similar approach to aid in the redevelopment of several of its aging housing projects, including One Charlestown and McCormack. In South Africa, the City of Cape Town is working with the Development Action Group (DAG), an NGO, to leverage public land to build social housing in the Woodstock Community.
Speakers involved in the Toronto, Boston and Cape Town initiatives compared their experiences and offered lessons learned from their perspectives. The floor was then opened for a general discussion moderated by the Director of the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, David Amborski.
Panelists:
Vincent Tong
Chief Development Officer
Toronto Community and Housing Corporation (TCHC)
Joe Bamberg
Director of Planning and Development
Boston Housing Authority (BHA)
Adi Kumar
Executive Director
Development Action Group (DAG)
(PDF file) View the Presentation >>>
Unlocking the Development Potential Along Ontario's Transit Corridors
About the Seminar:
On April 16th, CUR held a seminar to discuss the potential of developing housing along Ontario's major transit corridors, further building on the findings of its recent report "Transit Nodes in Ontario Have Untapped Development Potential". The panel was composed of a number of knowledgeable representatives from jurisdictions that have undertaken policies to encourage TOD. The discussion which followed focused on what policies have been successful in implementing TOD and on the lessons learned.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened for questions for a discussion moderated by the Director of CUR, David Amborski.
Panelists:
Jason Thorne
General Manager, Planning and Economic Development
City of Hamilton
Amanda Kutler
Manager, Development Planning
Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Robin van de Lande
Urban Planner, Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department
City of Ottawa
Greg Tokarz
Program Manager, Transit Implementation, City Planning
City of Toronto
Ed Sajecki
Partner and Co-founder
Sajecki Planning
(PDF file) View the presentation >>>
View a recording of the event >>>
Hyper-Concentration of GTA Job Growth in Downtown Toronto: What Does It Mean for the 905 Regions?
About the Seminar:
In her new study, prepared with The Neptis Foundation, Pamela Blais detailed the hyper-concentration of GTA core job growth occurring in downtown Toronto at the expense of the 905 regions. Moreover, she predicted that this concentration of jobs in the downtown at the expense of the suburbs will continue.
The Centre for Urban Research and Land Development and the Local Economic Development Certificate Program at the G. Raymond Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University invited Dr. Blais to present her empirical findings and to engage with a panel of economic development professionals from the 905 regions to discuss the implications of this report for their regions. The panel also discussed the strategy shifts the 905 regions are contemplating in dealing with this new employment reality.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened for questions. A discussion moderated by Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, followed.
Panelists:
Simon Gill
Director, Economic Development and Tourism
Regional Municipality of Durham
Doug Lindeblom
Director, Economic Strategy
Regional Municipality of York
John Davidson
Director, Economic Development
Regional Municipality of Halton
Moderator:
Frank Clayton
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, Toronto Metropolitan University
(PDF file) View Pamela Blais' Presentation >>>>>
(PDF file) Read the study >>>> (external link)
Let's Talk Housing Research: A Review of the Latest Reports Focused on the GTHA
About the Seminar:
Housing in the GTHA is a regional challenge which needs to be addressed to ensure social and economic growth in the years ahead. In this light, CUR brought together a number of experts to share their latest research on this pressing challenge.
Speakers:
Matthew Cory, Principal, Malone Givens Parsons, (PDF file) "The Future of Housing in the GTHA: The Impact of Land Use Policy." (external link)
Michelle German, Senior Manager, Policy and Parnerships, Evergreen Foundation, (PDF file) "What is the Missing Middle? A Toronto Housing Challenge Demystified." (external link)
Paul Smetanin, President, Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, (PDF file) "The GTHA's Unbalanced Housing Stock: Benchmarking Ontario's New LPAT System." (external link)
Moderator:
David Amborski, Director, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) Toronto Metropolitan University
(PDF file) View the presentation >>>>>
Watch a video of the presentation >>>>>
Getting Serious about Tackling the Housing Affordability Challenge in the GTA
About the Seminar:
On Friday, November 30, Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) hosted a seminar. This seminar, entitled "Getting Serious about Tackling the Housing Affordability Challenge in the GTA," featured an in-depth examination of the issue by CUR researchers Diana Petramala and Frank Clayton. This was followed by comments by an expert panelists and sparked a number of discussions on the part of those gathered.
Expert Panelists:
Sean Gadon, Director, Affordable Housing Office, City of Toronto
Robert Hogue, Senior Economist, RBC
Neil Rodgers, President, Dumara Projects Limited
Moderator:
David Amborski, Director, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) Toronto Metropolitan University
(PDF file) View the Seminar Presentations >>
Evaluating the Province's Proposed Methodology for Land Needs Assessment for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
About the Workshop:
On Monday, February 26th, guests gathered for a workshop organized by Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR). The topic of the workshop was "Evaluating the Province's Proposed Methodology for Land Needs Assessment for the Greater Golden Horseshoe." CUR researchers, David Amborski, Diana Petramala and Frank Clayton covered 4 main topics in their presentations:
- Ways to build a comprehensive land needs methodology (best practices)
- Assessing how the provisions of the Province's proposed methodology relate to best practices
- Discussing economic and market impacts resulting from the more limited scope of the Province's methodology
- Discussing ways to make the Province's proposed methodology more cognizance of economic and market realities, minimize undesirable negative impacts and still achieve Growth Plan objectives.
The workshop sparked debate and discussion among attendees. Following the workshop, CUR made a submission to the Province regarding its proposed methodology for land needs assessment for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
(PDF file) View the workshop presentations>>
Watch a video of the workshop>>
Insights on Planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe by Ed Sajeckie, RPP, PLE
About the Seminar:
On January 10th, 2018, Ed Sajecki, Commissioner of Planning and Building at the City of Mississauga, shared his insights on planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe at a seminar organized by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) in partnership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). This seminar comes as he retires from a long and accomplished career in Ontario public service at both the municipal and provincial levels. After his presentation, a panel discussed lessons from Mr. Sajecki’s career, as well as the future of planning in Ontario.
Panelists:
Lindsay Dale-Harris
Partner
Bousfields Inc.
Allan Leibel
Counsel
Goodmans LLP
What Is Happening in Markets for Residential Land in the Greater Golden Horseshoe?
Participants:
Matthew Taylor U E
Research Assistant, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
(PDF file) View Matthew's presentation >>
Mike Czestochowski
Executive Vice President, CBRE Limited, Real Estate Brokerage
Advisory and Transaction Services
Pete Schut
Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Brookfield Homes Limited
Diana Petramala
Senior Researcher, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
(PDF file) View Diana's presentation >>
Moderator:
Frank Clayton
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, Toronto Metropolitan University
What Will Make Housing Affordable Again?
On Tuesday, November 21st, 2017, the Toronto Association of Business and Economics (TABE) and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) hosted a discussion on housing affordability in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for National Housing Week 2017.
An expert panel discussed the future of home prices and the opportunities and challenges the GTA faces in providing affordable housing.
Expert Panelists:
Stephen Punwasi, Co-founder, Better Dwelling
Bryan Tuckey, President & CEO, Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD)
Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) Toronto Metropolitan University
Michelle German, Senior Manager of Policy & Partnerships, Evergreen
Moderator:
Brian DePratto, Senior Economist, TD Bank
Stimulating Businesses and Jobs in Urbanizing Communities: Innisfil as a Case Study
Thursday, November 2nd, 2017
10:30 am - 3:00 PM
Alumni Lounge, 4th Floor, Mattamy Athletic Centre, 50 Carlton Street, Toronto
The Town of Innisfil typifies many smaller municipalities experiencing rapid urbanization with lots of residential growth but little employment growth. The quality of life of its residents is challenged by the need to spend considerable time each day commuting to jobs outside the town. There is an urgent need to transform municipalities like Innisfil into more complete communities by attracting businesses and jobs which is a key thrust of the Province of Ontario’s land use planning initiatives. The desire may be there but the implementation is missing.
This workshop looked at the Town of Innisfil as a case study for other communities in Ontario. The workshop entailed two parts: background and situational analysis on the Town of Innisfil by Innisfil consultants and staff and an independent expert panel discussion.
This workshop was organized by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) and the Chang School’s Local Economic Development Certificate Program in partnership with the Town of Innisfil.
Understanding Ontario's Housing Affordability Challenge: A Big Data Evaluation
On May 23rd, 2017, the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) in partnership with RESCON, CANCEA, OCS, OAA and RCCAO, held a conference which brought together thought leaders in Canada’s housing sector to discuss the findings from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis' phase-two housing affordability research.
About the Conference
The Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) (external link) has examined the complex demand and supply factors affecting housing affordability in Ontario. Led by Paul Smetanin, the CANCEA team’s ground-breaking “big data” housing analysis examines the multiple forces working together to influence the housing market. Their agent-based research framework more broadly identifies and connects the high-profile and the lesser known factors affecting housing availability.
This research has been commissioned by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) and the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO).
(PDF file)
Download the full CANCEA Report here>>
Agenda
Presentation by Paul Smetanin, President & CEO, CANCEA
Panel Discussion on Housing Affordability
- Ana Bailao, City Councillor & Chair, Toronto's Affordable Housing Committee
- Jan De Silva, President and CEO of Toronto Region Board of Trade (moderator)
- Jim Murphy, President & CEO, Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario
- Diana Petramala, Economist, Real Estate, TD Economics
- Sean Speer, Munk Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
GTHA Mayors Panel on Housing Affordability
- Mayor Bonnie Crombie (Mississauga)
- Mayor Linda Jeffrey (Brampton)
- Mayor Jeff Lehman (Barrie)
- Mayor Steve Parish (Ajax)
- Dwight Drummond, CBC News Toronto (moderator)
Video Links:
Presentation by Paul Smetanin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWzWaTvk4b0&t=1555s (external link)
Expert Panel on Housing Affordability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYQD54zLg4M&t=1s (external link)
GTHA Mayors Panel on Housing Affordability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=192bnEQSExI&t=2474s (external link)
Land-Use Planning in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area - Let's Get It Right
May 8, 2017
About the seminar:
Hazel McCallion, the former Mayor of Mississauga, along with panelists Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti gathered at Toronto Metropolitan University on May 8th for a seminar organized by the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development entitled “Land-Use Planning in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) – Let's Get It Right.”
Ms. McCallion, Mayor Thompson and Mayor Scarpitti discussed their concerns regarding the proposed draft Growth Plan and the economic impact on municipalities and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area as a whole. Ms. McCallion spoke about the contributions of the individual municipality to the vibrancy of the GTHA, a region that she describes as the economic engine of Canada.
A report was written and submitted to the Province based on the deliberations at the Summit of Mayors and Chairs held in September 2016. Ms. McCallion presented five key findings from the report:
- There needs to be more discussion and consultation between the Province and the municipalities;
- Do not impose the intensity targets and intensification minimums;
- Consider the financial capacity to support the proposed plan and the resulting economic impacts;
- Implement transition measures from the current Growth Plan to the new Growth Plan;
- Implement a clear and transparent process for Greenbelt adjustments, refinements, removals, and additions to boundaries and designations.
Presentations by Mayor Thompson and Mayor Scarpitti addressed specific concerns stemming from their respective municipalities. Their comments were representative of many of the Mayors from the Summit (the majority signed support for the report).
The report concludes that the draft amendments to the Growth Plan go beyond the recommendations found in the Crombie Panel, the draft amendments are of an unachievable “one-size-fits-all” nature and ultimately if the proposed Growth Plan is adopted, it will negatively impact the affordability and livability of the GTHA.
Ms. McCallion stated, “It’d be much better for [the Province] to not rush it and to get it right...it is our opportunity to get it right and to realize there’s nothing wrong with density in the right location with the necessary services to support it.”
(PDF file) Download Mayor Thompson's presentation >>
(PDF file) Download Mayor Scarpitti's presentation >>
Why Is the Supply of Serviced Land Not Responding to the Market Demand for Housing in the GTHA?
May 2nd, 2017
About the seminar:
Don Given had good news for households now living in low-density homes in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and bad news for households dreaming of a ground-related home with a front door and a small yard or patio. He stated that any relief on housing prices would require a significant change in Provincial Government land-use policies and, even then, would not provide relief to the low density market for many years. Given, President of multi-disciplinary Malone Given Parsons, was keynote speaker at today’s seminar organized by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development entitled “Why is the Supply of Serviced Land Not Responding to the Market Demand for Housing in the GTHA”. Malone Given Parsons has been at the forefront of measuring land supply availability and status throughout the GTHA for many years.
Given’s presentation covered the factual realities of the land supply, the consequences of the Province’s land-use policies embodied in the 2006 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (the Growth Plan), and the faulty information and logic behind the proposed changes to the Growth Plan.
According to Given, the larger disparity between those who proclaim there is more than an ample supply of residential lands in the 905 Regions to accommodate low-density growth to 2031 and beyond and the current shortage of serviced sites on which to build new homes is the result of two factors: (1) Over stating the greenfield land supply by about 50% because the land is either built on or is close to occupancy; and (2) a multitude of constraints including cumbersome, unpredictable and lengthy approval processes, municipal phasing policies, municipal financial capacity to support growth and uncertainties created by the draft proposed Growth Plan.
The Province’s proposal to raise the average density on greenfield land development from 50 persons/employment per hectare to 80 is especially damaging to the future supply of low density forms of housing especially single-detached and semi-detached houses, according to Given.
Panelists at the seminar included Michael Bissett, a partner at Bousfields Inc., Katarzyna Silwa, a partner at Dentons Canada LLP and Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Urban Research and Land Development.
(PDF file) Download Don Given's presentation >> (external link)
Economics and Land Use Planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
On Friday, October 28th, 2016, Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) held a seminar on land use planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Professo (external link) r Paul Cheshire (external link) , London School of Economics, delivered a keynote presentation on planning impacts from a British perspective followed by presentations by Dr. Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow, CUR, and Michael Brooks (external link) , CEO, REALpac. Following these presentations there was an expert panel discussion.
Expert Panelists:
Dr. Enid Slack (external link)
Director, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance
Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto
Jeannette Gillezeau (external link)
Senior Director, Economic Consulting, Research, Valuation & Advisory, Altus Group Limited
Don Given (external link)
President
Malone Given Parsons
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When Will the Toronto Region's Housing Bubble Burst?
On Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016 the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development brought together a panel of experts to debate, educate and answer questions about the housing market in Toronto.
Density Bonuses: Implementation Issues In Ontario, Section 37 and British Columbia
About the Seminar
On Monday, March 7th, 2016, CUR held a policy seminar on density bonuses. Thank you to all the panelists.
Please click the link below to view a video of this seminar as well as presentation slides.
Speaker & Moderator
David Amborski
Director, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development
Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning
Panelists
Patrick Devine
LSUC Certified Specialist in Municipal Law
Devine Park LLP
John MacKenzie
Deputy City Manager, Planning and Growth Management
City of Vaughan
Jeff Fisher
Vice President & Senior Policy Advisor
Urban Development Institute,Vancouver, British Columbia
Click the link to read more about this event >>
The Escalating Challenge of Home Ownership: Causes, Costs and Risks
On Wednesday, December 9th, 2015, housing industry leaders, government officials and academics gathered at the Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss the ground-breaking new research report by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) examining the Causes, Costs & Risks that are making it harder for families to purchase a home.
This event was co-hosted by the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development and the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON). Thank you to everyone who participated.
Click the link below to view videos and presentation slides from this event.
Overcoming Barriers and Facilitating Brownfield Redevelopment in the GTHA
Speaker & Moderator:
Dr. Chris De Sousa
Director, School of Urban and Regional Planning
Toronto Metropolitan University
Panelists:
George Boire
Senior Vice President, Environment/Sustainability
Marsh Canada
David Harper
President
Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund
Tara Tran
Policy Planner & Project Manager
City of Brantford
Is Inclusionary Zoning A Needed Tool For Providing Affordable Housing In The Greater Golden Horseshoe?
On Monday, October 26th, 2015, guests gathered in the Sears Atrium for an informative panel discussion on Inclusionary Zoning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Speaker:
Geoff Schwartz
Researcher, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, Toronto Metropolitan University
Panelists:
Patrick Maier
Executive Director, Innovative Housing Institute (IHI), Baltimore, MD
Richard Drdla
President, Richard Drdla Associates, Toronto, ON
John Brodhead
Special Advisor to the President of the University of Toronto
Moderator:
David Amborski
Director, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development, Toronto Metropolitan University
Understanding The GTA Housing Market Under The Current Planning System
On Monday, June 1st, 2015, guests gathered in the Peter Bronfman Learning Centre for an informative panel discussion on understanding the GTA housing market.
The panel was moderated by Ben Dachis, Senior Policy Analyst, C.D. Howe Institute.
Panelists included: Professor David Amborski, Director, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR), Russel Mathew, Partner,Hemson Consulting Ltd. and Dr. Frank Clayton, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research and Land Development.
How Can the GTA Expand The Supply Of Affordable Housing At A Time Of Limited Government Support?
On Tuesday, April 7th, 2015, guests gathered in the Sears Atrium for an informative panel discussion on Affordable Housing in the GTA.
Panelists included: Mark Conway, Senior Partner, N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited; Hanita Braun, Executive Director of Project Management, Planning & Development, Verdiroc Development Corporation and Heather Tremain, Director, Planning & Development, Options for Homes. This panel discussion was moderator by CUR Director, David Amborski.
Inaugural Raymond J. Simpson Lecture Of The Hamson Simpson Public Lecture Series
On Thursday, February 26th, 2015, the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University in association with the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) held the Inaugural Raymond J. Simpson Lecture of the Hemson Simpson Public Lecture Series. This lecture featured Dr. Arthur C. Nelson, Professor of Urban Planning and Real Estate Development at the University of Arizona. Dr. Nelson’s lecture, “Reshaping Metropolitan America” was based primarily on a book he authored of the same name.
Dr. Nelson explored how changing demographic and economic trends and preferences will reshape America’s metropolitan areas. Specifically, Dr. Nelson looked at themes such as the rise of Megapolitan America, the sweeping demographic changes happening in the US and in Canada, what surveys tell us about emerging housing preferences and finally the implications of these changing preference patterns.
Through an analysis of housing surveys, Dr. Nelson deduced that Americans prefer attached housing (i.e. townhouse, condo, apartment) in a walkable community to any other housing alternative. In the US, the supply of attached housing is less than the demand and the supply of conventional lots is greater than the demand. The implications of this is that in approximately 60% - 70% of American metropolitan areas, the larger lot market is continuing to erode in value relative to alternatives within the same metropolitan area. Dr. Nelson suggested that the future of the housing demand in the US is in attached and small lot housing.
What Does The Future Hold For Ontario's Municipal Water And Wastewater Utilities And How They Fund Growth Related Infrastructure?
On Monday, January 26th, 2015, guests gathered in the Sears Atrium for an informative panel discussion on the future of Ontario's municipal water and wastewater utilities and how they fund growth-related infrastructure.
Issues And Impacts Of The Development Permit System In Toronto Area Municipalities
On Monday October 20th, 2014, a capacity crowd gathered at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Sears Atrium for a robust discussion concerning the issues and impacts of the Development Permit System for Toronto area municipalities.
Gala Opening Receiption of CUR, November 20, 2013
The first research centre of its kind to study the economic aspects of urban policies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area was officially inaugurated with enthusiastic support.
Read about it:
Ryerson News showcases Gala Opening
Yonge Street Media writes about the new centre and the possibilities
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