About

The original technical brief grew out of a recurring planning problem: proposals close to main streets and transit were being assessed against expectations that changed sharply at the edge of a growth area. The proposal asked how those relationships could be addressed across several properties, while creating more housing choices.

It built on earlier work on corridor edges, including Toronto’s Enhancement Zone approaches, while extending the central question across multiple neighbourhood properties. Collaborative contributions to House Divided and the original website helped bring the idea to a broader audience.

Since then, Toronto’s housing permissions have changed substantially. The original case for a wider range of homes, suitable neighbourhood uses and better access to daily needs continues to inform the work.

In 2019, Blair presented the concept in detail to Premier Doug Ford, the Premier’s office, provincial ministers, chiefs of staff and senior policy advisors. These discussions form part of the project’s advocacy history.

The Province modified the Yonge–Eglinton Secondary Plan in June 2019. The policy history follows that decision and subsequent City initiatives, including the December 2022 direction brought forward by Mayor John Tory and seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford.