This “how-to” Manual allows Toronto residents and community groups to participate in and shape their neighbourhoods. The City of Toronto and its neighbourhoods are continually evolving. This evolution is characterized by change across larger sites across the city, such as the development of high-rise apartment towers and mixed-use buildings in and along Toronto’s Centres and Avenues. It also comes in the form of incremental growth and infill redevelopment within its neighbourhoods. While Toronto’s neighbourhoods are stable, they are not static. They will continue to evolve and change as the City grows, and they are hubs that need to be interconnected with the balance of the city.

The Template guides communities to ensure appropriate changes to neighbourhoods, setting up clear expectations that may be relied upon not only by City staff, but also by small builders, landowners and developers. The “How To” Manual outlines the process that residents and community groups should follow in order to produce effective Urban Design Guidelines. Each neighbourhood is unique where residents are provided with the process and tools to prepare Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines tailored to their area using the “How-To” Manual.

Two Pilot Project areas were selected in order to test the Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines Template. The two Pilot Areas for this process include Long Branch (Etobicoke) and Willowdale (North York). Through an engagement process, residents were provided with the process and tools to prepare their own Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines.