Temporality in Architecture: Facilitating Change in Toronto's Postwar Suburbs

Toronto’s postwar suburbs have remained largely unchanged since the 1950’s and do not effectively address the greater sustainable, social and economic needs of the city. Obsolete bylaws govern new construction projects and renovations in the city’s postwar suburbs, resulting in neighbourhoods that fail to address contemporary societal needs. City-led action plans such as HousingTO and TransformTO outline several forces of change that are not being properly addressed by the city’s housing. One such force involves climate change, in which the city has ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Another is unaffordable housing, which constitutes nearly 50% of housing across the city. Third is Toronto’s lacking sense of community, which can be addressed by mixing housing typologies and demographics in neighbourhoods. Facilitating change within the city’s postwar suburbs will result in an environment that is more sustainably, socially and economically successful.