What is Strong Towns and Strong Towns Toronto?
Strong Towns is an international movement focused on fostering a pattern of development that is resilient, financially strong, and locally oriented. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable and inviting. Finally, we believe local government can be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place.
Strong Towns Toronto is the official Local Conversation (i.e chapter) for the municipality of Toronto. Anyone who works, lives, learns, or has an interest in our city is welcome to reach out.
Learn more about the international Strong Towns movement at strongtowns.org
The Suburban Experiment
We can see the Suburban Experiment playing out across the Greater Toronto Area. It is a postwar pattern of development characterized by static neighbourhoods composed of detached homes and ample car infrastructure. Our neighbours in Halton, Peel, York, and Durham mostly built their homes along these lines. Across Toronto, you'll find this pattern of development most dominant in Etobicoke and Scarborough.
It has been found across North America that the neighbourhoods built using these experimental designs cost more in municipal maintenance than they raise in municipal taxes and fees. Their streets are often congested and alternatives to driving are largely uncomfortable, unsafe, or absent. The financialization of their housing markets has resulted in speculative investments crowding out affordable homes.
Our way out
How do we fix the Suburban Experiment? We just have to build neighbourhoods for people again.
It turns out that there is a long human tradition of building neighbourhoods that are better for everyone involved. We used to build neighbourhoods that create the money to maintain garbage bins, drains, and streets. Neighbourhoods with shops close enough to walk to. Neighbourhoods with traffic so light that kids could play street hockey.
Based on what we've built that works, we can build more neighbourhoods that build connections and meet our needs. Instead of making bigger backlogs of crumbling concrete, our quality of life can be improved across every measure.
Of course, we're not talking about taking a magic pill. Every neighbourhood is unique and will need different sets of people to find solutions. Those solutions can only be found if we empower each other to make Toronto stronger together.
How to get involved/FAQ
We run regular events and would love to connect in-person or virtually. We have a meet-up on the second Sunday of every month and include various other virtual and in-person events on our calendar. You're also welcome to contact us by email (strongtownstoronto@gmail.com) or join our Discord!
We are always looking for people who are interested in contributing to our events, advocacy, communications, and organizing. If you can put up a poster, send an email, or manage poster supplies, you'd be super helpful.
You can read our Blogs and previous newsletters on our main page. To know more about Strong Towns principles visit the main website at www.strongtowns.org