Rethinking Urban Hierarchies: A Polycentric Approach for the Toronto Region

This portfolio delves into the transformative processes of urban growth and development in the Toronto region, addressing key challenges such as socio-economic disparities, urban resiliency, and democratic governance. At its core, this portfolio is guided by the principles of polycentrism, a paradigm advocating for multiple, interconnected centres of activity and governance within a comprehensive urban environment. This approach fundamentally challenges the traditional, centralized urban hierarchy, promoting a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across various scales – regional, neighbourhood, and service delivery. By adopting a polycentric perspective, this portfolio rethinks and reimagines strategies to tackle the complex urban challenges facing the Toronto region. The first paper explores polycentrism, advocating for the reorganization of the socio-economic and socio-cultural spheres of the Toronto region into a polycentric structure. This approach fosters a more balanced distribution of growth and enhances economic vitality by rethinking the region's functionality and economic dynamics. Embracing an urban region with multiple centres allows for the decentralization of functions, ensuring a more equitable and democratic urban environment. The second paper focuses on the 15-Minute City (15mC) concept, which aims to reorganize the micro-scale of urban living. Inspired by Carlos Moreno’s vision, this model proposes the creation of self-sufficient neighbourhoods where all essential services and amenities can be accessed within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. By reducing car dependency and promoting densified living, it breaks down the centralized hierarchy of daily life in urban regions, allowing residents to meet their daily needs within a set timeframe. The final paper examines the proposed (but subsequently rescinded) dissolution of Peel Region and the shift from top-down to bottom-up service delivery models. This case study illustrates the benefits of community-led governance, where services are tailored to the specific needs of diverse communities, such as youth, new immigrants, and the homeless. By collaborating with non-profit networks like Metamorphosis, this approach establishes a service delivery system that is polycentric, accessible, decentralized, and firmly rooted in a stronger democratic framework. Collectively, these papers argue for a more democratic, socially equal, and sustainable Toronto region. By breaking down centralized hierarchies and embracing polycentricity, this portfolio outlines a visionary pathway for urban development that meets the needs of its diverse population and ensures a resilient future.