The City of Toronto's Planning Division has announced a new month-long public outreach program called 'Planners in Public Spaces'. The program—which will run throughout the month of August—is designed to inform the public about the process surrounding development in Toronto. The booth and staff in attendance will provide Torontonians with information about such things as the role of the City Planning Division, developments planned both in their area and in other parts of the city, and teach people how they, as residents, can get involved in the planning process at a local level. 

The program is an intiative from Jennifer Keesmaat, who was appointed Toronto's new Chief Planner just over 12 months ago, and who has publicly declared she wants more public involvement in urban planning, and that she wants to make the Planning Division more transparent and accessible to people. 

City poster advertising the Planners in Public Spaces program

Information booths will be set up at various locations across the city throughout August and September, with City Planning staff on hand to answer any questions from passersby. The booth will be placed in prominent locations with high foot traffic such as at Scarborough Town Centre, Kipling and Runnymede subway stations, and Mel Lastmen Square. The booth will also be set up during major events and festivals, such as the York-Eglinton International Street Festival, the Lawrence Bridging Festival, and a number of farmer's markets around the city. The full list of planned locations for the booth can be seen below. 

Full list of dates, times, and locations of the Planners in Public Spaces booth

The City is hoping that this outreach initiative will make the urban planning and development process more accessible to residents. While the program lasts only a month, the city will be hoping that it can engage and educate citizens by taking its large department, who deal with issues around the city, to a local level.  

While the booth is making its first appearance on August 15 at Scarborough Town Centre, a kick-off event will take place in Nathan Phillip's Square on August 20.

City poster advertising the official launch event for the Planners in Public Spaces program

The City has partnered with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Cold Stone Creamery, and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (BIA) for the kick-off event. The kick-off will be geared toward younger residents as much as anyone, with City Planning staff and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Master Builder Graeme Dymond helping children to plan and build a giant city made out of LEGO in Nathan Phillip's Square. Mr. Dymond's Junior Construction Team will also be participating to help the children with the building. 

Inspired to stop by the kick-off event or visit a booth? Want to know a little more beforehand?

Planning staff gather public input and study issues to develop and review plans, policies and projects. They provide support and advice as well as make recommendations to City Council. The Toronto City Planning Division is set up by district - Etobicoke & York, North York, Toronto & East York and Scarborough. Community planning, policy and research, urban design, transportation, and zoning bylaw and environmental planning are all part of the Planning Division's mandate. You can visit their website by clicking here.