Increasing and Diversifying the Supply of Housing
Industry experts and the public are beginning to realize the negative impact of Toronto’s existing municipal land use policy framework and are calling out on the City to act. The most vocal proponents are demanding that City Planners open-up the “yellow belt”, to promote the development of the “missing middle”. The term “yellow belt” was coined by local Planner Gil Meslin to describe the City’s Neighbourhood land use designation, as depicted graphically by its yellow colour within the Official Plan’s Land Use maps. In contrast, the term “missing middle” was coined by American Architect Daniel Parolek to describe the full-range of ground-related housing types, beyond detached and semi-detached single-family dwellings, which are presently absent from the housing equation in cities across North America. In Toronto, this includes everything from duplexes to triplexes, fourplexes, rowhouses, townhouses and walk-up apartment buildings.
An opportunity exists to open the yellow belt and encourage the missing middle of housing options, by updating and aligning Toronto's municipal land use policy framework to reflect these ambitions. One way to accomplish this, in combination with other tools, is through the introduction of Transition Zones. Please click on Solution to learn more.
An opportunity exists to open the yellow belt and encourage the missing middle of housing options, by updating and aligning Toronto's municipal land use policy framework to reflect these ambitions. One way to accomplish this, in combination with other tools, is through the introduction of Transition Zones. Please click on Solution to learn more.