Domestic Evolution
Scenario 1: Responding to Climate Change
Prompt: In response to climate change, the City of Toronto had undertaken a massive re-greening and sustainability initiative. In conjunction with federal and provincial carbon taxes, the City has committed to divesting from personal car dependency by expanding public transit and improving walkability. The City has undertaken the massive task of retooling residentials streets by narrowing them to a single lane, one-way road. Residential property lines have not been adjusted and the municipality still maintains control over the full street right-of-way, however residents are granted greater use privileges of the municipal land in front of their property. Community parking lots and structures have been constructed within residential neighbourhoods, eliminating the need for parking spaces on individual properties. In order to encourage re-greening, the City is providing subsidizes and property tax rebates for tree planting, naturalized lawns, urban agriculture, and the installation of green roofs.
Scenario 2: Expanding Home Business
Prompt: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to working from home, the City of Toronto has loosened restrictions on the type of businesses and activities which can be operated out of a residential building. Amending Section 150.5 Home Occupation of the Zoning By-Law NO.569-2013, allowing small-scale retail, education, personal services, healthcare offices, consultation offices, light manufacturing, and food preparation businesses to be operated on residential properties. In order to encourage the growth of small businesses, federaland provincial start-up grants and renovation subsidizes have been established, and the City is providing property tax credits and rebates for home businesses.
Scenario 3: Dwelling Diversification and Community Growth
Prompt: In response to inflating housing costs and an increase in multi-generational living, the City of Toronto set forth goals for increasing dwelling density within existing neighbourhoods across the city. Additional municipal taxes to have been places on new, high-rise residential construction to offset subsidies to encourage affordable low-rise residential construction and renovation subsidized for expanding the provincial secondary suite program. Further incentives based on proximity to schools, community centres, and other civic social infrastructures have been established to support community longevity. The City has streamlined the land assembly process for co-ops and co-housing groups to encourage fine grain community building. Public transit networks have been expanded to improve access and connectivity across these existing neighbourhoods.
