Dan Andrei Craciun

This research examined several methods to improve the way local communities are being spatially defined. The main goals were to develop a set of neighbourhood spatial and statistical datasets and to formulate several analytical methods of studying the land use and built area characterisrics at a neighbourhood scale. The methodology employed included several multilayer analyses using built area, census, and land use data, an examination of the rare of change in built-area and land-use distributions, and a principal component analysis in order to address the nature of change in land use areas by neighbo urhood. The results support the hypothesis that both built area and land use distributions may be used when addressing issues of neighbourhood geography. Also, accounting for the changing aspects in built form and land use characteristics of the urban environment may considerably improve the understanding of the spatial identity of local communities across Toronto.