The Case for Municipally Owned Creative Space

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Collaborators:

• University of Toronto & Economic Development and Culture (City of Toronto)

Overview:

• This project looks to answer questions related to equity and access issues, and the value of creative spaces as a public asset and public good. 
   

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Supporting Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies

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Collaborators:

• Centennial College, Toronto Metropolitan University & the Office of Emergency Management (City of Toronto)

Overview: 

• This research project looks at the City's vulnerable population to examine the provision of emergency social services based on resource allocation. It also looks to analyze questions related to what percent of the population is considered vulnerable in an emergency and what capacity the City has to provide support. 

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Control and Ownership of Data Collected by the City of Toronto

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Collaborators:

• University of Toronto & Technology Services Division (City of Toronto)

Overview: 

• The project is looking to examine and provide information on the relationship between data practices and how it impacts the public's view and trust in government, specifically City government. Data helps provide for informed decision-making, but it must be collected and governed in a way that promotes public trust. This research project would help the City answer questions related to digital infrastructure. 
   

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Developing a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Framework for Vulnerable Communities

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Transportation Services (City of Toronto)

Overview:

• The built environment is shaped to connect people and places. This project looks to understand the effects of construction of public infrastructure and how it may pose risks to safety and become susceptible to gender-based violence, crime, and other unsafe actions. 
   

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Mapping Toronto's Cultural Diversity through Census Data

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Western Ontario & City Planning (City of Toronto)

Overview: 

• In order to make better decisions related to planning, City staff need to understand how communities value properties and landscapes. This information can be gained from working with residents, but it also needs to engage communities that were historically present in an area. Recording cultural diversity and its history is a vital part of the work that needs to take place for the Toronto Heritage Survey. This project looks to investigate how geographic distribution of cultural communities has changed since 1871. 
   

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Reduction of reported and Actual Sewer Blockages in Toronto

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Toronto Water (City of Toronto)

Overview:

• Drainage systems in urban areas protect public health and water quality. The City of Toronto deals with near 10,000 calls per year related to blocked sewers. A greater understanding of these calls will help the City in its service delivery and in its ability to inform and educate the public. 
   

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Developing a Digital Equity Policy for the City of Toronto

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Technology Services Division (City of Toronto)

Overview: 

• As the City recovers from the pandemic, it is important that it has the ability to deliver digital services to equity deserving groups. This project seeks to identify inequities in digital services that places communities at risk and propose solutions to help address these issues. 
   

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Unsolicited Proposal - Procurement Processes and Driving Innovation in Toronto

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Strategic Partnerships Office (City of Toronto) 

Overview:

• In looking at the City's procurement processes, including the Unsolicited Proposals program, this project examines how processes can be enhanced to advance innovation, while maintaining fairness and transparency. It also looks at ways to increase participation from equity deserving groups. 
   

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Telematics Business Intelligence

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Fleet Services (City of Toronto) 

Overview:

• The use of telematics will help the City of Toronto obtain important information and data that will enable it to make evidence-based decisions about the management of its fleet operations. The research conducted through this project will help identify opportunities for telematics to inform policy, guide the development of telematics data management policies and programs, and improve asset tracking. 
   

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Next City Video Documents

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Collaborators:

• OCAD University & Strategic Partnerships Office (City of Toronto) 

Overview: 

• Next City Video Documents seeks to frame the City's civic development post-COVID 19 using a series of short videos. The videos will provide an overview and representation of urban situations and civic needs across Toronto, and help inform future research and partnerships in this area.

Outcome:

• An OCAD University researcher and research intern captured the unique perspectives of residents actively shaping the city of tomorrow.  These short videos on City of Toronto strategic priorities including Climate Action & Resilience, Business & Economic Recovery, Public Health and People Housing & Neighbourhoods serve as thought starters and inspiration for the future we can build together. This work was supported by Mitacs through Mitacs Business Strategy Internship.

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Building Cultural Sustainability

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Collaborators:

• Humber College & Economic Development and Culture (City of Toronto) 

Overview: 

• The project seeks to connect educational space, equipment, and researchers to provide training opportunities for cultural producers located across the City and surrounding regions. The opportunity will enable practice-based evidence demonstrating the significance of promoting news methods of collaborative engagement and continued training. It will also seek to highlight the connection between a vibrant cultural policy and economic impact on the Greater Toronto Area.

Outcome:

• Humber College produced a report outlining how cultural organizations can access space and resources through higher education institutions, which will form the basis of future space-sharing partnerships between the City, Humber College, and arts groups.

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Toronto Recognition Audit: Examining Representation in the Public Realm

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Collaborators:

• York University & Economic Development and Culture (City of Toronto) 

Overview:

• Undertaking a recognition audit will provide an opportunity to understand and consider the histories that are represented in the City's monuments, as well as its streets and places. The research conducted through this project will identify and classify themes and subjects represented in the public sphere, and it will provide important information for the development of a framework to review public recognition.

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CivicLabTO Program Planning & Management

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Collaborators:

• Centennial College, Toronto Metropolitan University & Strategic Partnerships Office (City of Toronto) 

Overview: 

• Led by the City of Toronto in partnership with eight higher education institutions (HEI) within the city, CivicLabTO is a strategic initiative to create a more systemic approach to collaboration. CivicLabTO brings together students, faculty, researchers, and City staff to engage in strategies for change and innovation, to test theories and conduct research in support of informed public policy. Through this project, post-secondary students will help support the delivery of the 2023 CivicLabTO Summit programming.

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Locative Digital Media: Facilitating Cultural Preservation and Community Resilience in Toronto

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & Economic Development and Culture (City of Toronto) 

Overview:

• In cities with rapid growth, neighbourhoods are constantly affected by development, leading some communities to face negative pressures and challenges that disrupt the social fabric. This project seeks to work with neighbourhood partners to strengthen communities through location-based digital technology.

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Battle of Dieppe

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Collaborators:

• Toronto Metropolitan University & City Clerk’s Office (City of Toronto) 

Overview: 

• This project seeks to undertake research regarding the Dieppe Raid in order to provide the City of Toronto with additional information to honor those who served their country in the Second World War. It will also allow the City to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Dieppe in 2022, provide educational opportunities, and commemorate living veterans.

Outcomes:

• This project informed the City of Toronto's commemorative ceremonies and on-line exhibit marking the 80th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 2022.
   

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