YorkSpace
YorkSpace is York University's Institutional Repository. It supports York University's Senate Policy on Open Access by providing York community members with a place to preserve their research online in an institutional context.
Communities in YorkSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Previously Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES)
- The Global Labour Research Centre (GLRC) engages in the study of work, employment and labour in the context of a constantly changing global economy.
- Lives Outside the Lines: a Symposium in Honour of Marlene Kadar
- Used only for SWORD Deposit by Adminstrator
- Welcome to WILAA, a gathering place for materials related to research projects that explore work-integrated learning and disability-related accessibility and accommodations.
Recent Submissions
Building as They Come: Comparative Case Studies of Co-constructing Data Visualization Services with Academic Communities
(2025) Wong, Alexandra; Sivajothy, Subhanya
[para. 3-4] "Academic libraries are well-situated to be strong supporters of democratizing and building knowledge and expertise in the use of data and data visualization as they cut across all of academia, regardless of discipline or department. Within the past decade, many academic libraries across North America have added data visualization services to their offerings. This has been done in several ways, from existing librarians with related portfolios like GIS or research data learning new skills to libraries creating new positions with the focus on the portfolio on data visualization. This chapter presents and compares two case studies of building data visualization services at York University Libraries and McMaster University Library. We do so with the hope of sharing practical and relevant knowledge with our readers."
Working Toward Spatial Justice Through Planning
(2024-08-31) Walker, Arthur; Abbruzzese, Teresa
This paper explores the development of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) and Community Benefit Frameworks (CBFs) in Toronto through the examination of four local case studies⎯Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefit Agreement; Jane⎯Finch Metrolinx Community Hub; Parkdale Community Benefits Framework; and the City of Toronto Community Benefits Framework. CBAs are legally binding agreements between developers and community groups which aim to ensure that local communities can receive benefits from urban development projects. The study sheds light on the role of CBAs in promoting social justice and community empowerment, highlighting their potential significance in marginalized neighborhoods by providing decent work, affordable housing, and spaces for community use. This paper views these case studies through a spatial justice perspective which critically examines the formation, regulation, and the use of urban space with an emphasis on the use-value of space by acknowledging the attachments individuals have to their neighbourhoods. This paper argues that through CBAs⎯which seek greater community inclusion in the planning and development process⎯the alienation and displacement of community members can be resisted against. This study contributes to the emerging discussion of CBAs as a planning tool, in addition to the broader scholarly and planning discussions on urban development and social equity, offering insights for policymakers, community advocates, and urban planners. In addition, this paper makes the case for continued expansion of resources dedicated to CBAs as they can serve as a planning tool which can aid in fostering community resilience, reducing the displacement and alienation of people within their own communities, and promoting more equitable development within cities.
Community Land Trusts in Ontario: Opportunities to Preserve Affordable Housing
(2024-08-31) Su, Pauline; Abbruzzese, Teresa
Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are a type of shared equity model, offering an innovative alternative in the housing system that is accessible for low-to-moderate income households to access housing ownership, build wealth and equity over time, and contribute to community-wide benefits. This Major Paper intends to explore and discuss the potential of community land trusts in providing and preserving affordable housing stock for Canadian cities, focusing on Toronto specifically. Therefore, this paper will provide an overview of the history of Canadian housing policies, the evolution of CLTs, its advantages and limitations, and opportunities to apply objectives or learnings of land trusts in the process of providing affordable housing. The purpose of this paper is not to suggest community land trusts as the only solution to addressing affordable housing challenges; rather it seeks to amplify information and draw awareness to CLTs as a relevant and emerging topic in housing discourse.
The Production of Smart Cities: An Analysis of Barcelona and Toronto
(2024-08-31) Tadesse, Marisabel; Abbruzzese, Teresa
The paper examines the discursive, governance, and territorial strategies of smart city initiatives, focusing on the comparative analysis of Barcelona and Toronto. By analyzing the narratives, systems of governance, and geographical consequences of these technological changes, the research uncovers the intricate and difficult aspects of the idealistic concept of smart cities. Barcelona's citizen-centric strategy, which prioritizes participation and municipal control, stands in contrast to Toronto's corporate-driven approach, underscoring notable disparities in social equity and stakeholder engagement. The results emphasize the significance of inclusive and participatory governance structures in guaranteeing that smart city projects contribute to equitable and sustainable urban development. Furthermore, the study explores the profound implications for urban planners, who are required to include innovative technology, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and tackle challenges related to digital exclusion, privacy, and community cohesion. This research proposes a balanced approach to smart city development that combines technology developments with social justice and environmental sustainability. By drawing lessons from Barcelona and Toronto, the aim is to create urban futures that are more democratic and resilient urban futures.
The Sustainable City, Myth or Possibility, as seen through the eyes of the citizens and the lens of wellbeing
(2024-08-31) Stratton, Anna; Brand-Correa, Lina
This paper addresses the question of barriers and enablers to community-based climate action as seen through the eyes of residents in the community. The sample community is Stratford, Ontario. 32 persons in Stratford were interviewed in individual, private conversations and were asked to answer 10 questions. The responses of the participants revealed concerns analogous to those found in various wellbeing frameworks. To provide background for the feedback from community interviewees the paper explores the context of wellbeing, following its historical and theoretical roots to its applications today. The wellbeing story begins with a critique of GDP as a single metric to reflect the condition of society and argues for the application of a wellbeing lens as a tool to better tell us how society is doing overall, including environmental, ecological and social justice issues. The author provides a brief history of the evolution of the concept of wellbeing including the origins and application of hedonic and eudaimonic conceptions of wellbeing as related to sustainability. The position taken is that the eudaimonic aspect is more suited to addressing long term environmental and ecological concerns. Following on from the declaration of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord and the creation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the paper charts the development and application of wellbeing frameworks and concepts in cities, communities and countries around the world, including the Wellbeing Economy Alliance founded in 2018. Wellbeing practices in communities in Canada are surveyed and Canada's wellbeing framework created in 2021, Measuring What Matters: Toward a Quality of Life Strategy for Canada, is introduced. With a focus on wellbeing in cities, the governance structures and challenges in tackling climate action at the municipal level are examined. The application of wellbeing metrics is suggested to give municipalities a picture of how their society and their environs are doing overall, beyond emissions reporting and the silo of GDP-driven economic reporting. Transition practices for cities provide references and tools for the application of wellbeing metrics. The embedded and particular relationship which cities have to Indigenous Peoples is presented with examples from cities in Canada in the light of Indigenous knowledges and practices in the care of people and planet. Cities are reminded of their obligations under the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the requirements for care of lands and waters and cultural traditions under UNDRIP. Methods and summary data are presented in section 3, followed by findings from the 10 questions. The responses are analysed applying wellbeing metrics.