The City of Toronto has officially released Toronto’s first ever Resilience Strategy, which presents a holistic approach to building a more resilient city.
“The City of Toronto has long been a leader in resilience, from land use planning innovations such as the Toronto Green Standard, to social programs such as Tower and Neighbourhood Revitalization, and leadership in infrastructure development,” said Chris Murray, city manager of the City of Toronto. “Resilience is a process: this strategy is the next big step to build on everything we are doing to make Toronto a resilient city.”
Toronto is the second Canadian city and the 62nd city internationally to release a Resilience Strategy. In 2016, Toronto joined the global network hosted by 100 Resilient Cities, pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC), to help the city prepare for catastrophic events and urban stresses that are increasingly part of the 21st century.
“Toronto has been consistently recognized as one of the world’s most livable cities, attracting talent and traditions from across the globe,” said Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities. “Climate change, growing inequity, and other pressing issues have nevertheless placed a stress on the urban fabric. This Resilience Strategy demonstrates that by taking thoughtful and bold actions today, Toronto will remain a global leader in city building, and thrive in the face of its resilience challenges.”
Over the past two years, the City of Toronto’s Resilience Office engaged more than 8,000 Torontonians and 75 partner organizations. It also leveraged more than 40 existing city plans and strategies to develop the Resilience Strategy.
“Toronto’s weather is getting hotter, wetter, and wilder and our climate risks are increasing,” said Elliott Cappell, the City of Toronto’s Chief Resilience Officer. “We are also growing in inequality, which increases our vulnerability. Our growing risks and vulnerabilities are interconnected, as those who are most vulnerable, in many cases, are also at highest risk. This Resilience Strategy helps us to address these urgent and growing challenges.”
The strategy supports the City of Toronto’s efforts to enhance equity and adapt to climate change. Its vision is to help Toronto become a more equitable, liveable, prosperous, and resilient city where every resident can thrive for decades to come.
The Resilience Strategy presents priority actions such as retrofitting apartment towers, making investments to combat flooding, and providing support to residents to make their homes and communities more resilient.
More information, along with the full Resilience Strategy, is available here.
