Community Benefit Agreements: A Framework for Participatory Planning for Toronto’s Future Development

Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) are a relatively new land-use planning tool and there has been little evidence of incidence or success in benefiting communities who are a part of these agreements. This Major Paper examines how governmental relations, public policy, and socioeconomic status play a role in creating inequities within communities. This essay investigates how community benefits agreements can be used as a tool to redistribute wealth and back into local economies. Through case studies for the United States and Canada and interviews with key informants, I examine the capacity of CBAs to engage local residents in employment opportunities, to foster community and environmental improvements, and to secure affordable housing through these legal agreements. The intent of this study is to assess the impact and to evaluate CBAs to ensure best practices for future urban planning initiatives and for promoting equitable development. As new policies emerge that accelerate development, increase displacement, and prioritize land as a commodity, it is critical to look for community solutions to ensure that marginalized communities’ voices are heard. My intention for completing this research study is to engage in potential solutions to address the gap that exists within Urban Planning surrounding the lack of community involvement in large-scale development projects. Drawing from six case studies within North America, this paper provides an overview on how to make CBAs feasible within Toronto. My findings suggest that while CBAs can generate significant reinvestment for communities they are not applicable for every new development, require well-defined targets, monitoring, and evaluation by all stakeholders for effective implementation.