The term BIA (Business Improvement Area) is one that often shows up on UrbanToronto, with local streetscapes and businesses—and even new developments—strongly influenced by the presence of BIA's in many parts of the city. So what exactly are BIAs, and how did they come to play such pivotal roles in shaping the public realm? In this week's Explainer, our sister site SkyriseCities.com offers a history—and an overview—of these areas. This time around, Toronto plays an pivotal role in a global phenomenon:

A retailer in the world's first ever BIA, in Toronto's Bloor West Village, image by Marcus Mitanis

Many municipalities around the world have the ability to designate certain neighbourhoods as business improvement areas (BIAs) or business improvement districts (BIDs). Doing so grants the private businesses within the delineated boundaries the power to make certain improvements to the area above and beyond the services already provided by the municipality. 

You can find the rest of the story on our sister site, SkyriseCities.com