Understanding the Need for Multifunctional and Equitable Green Infrastructure Implementation in Toronto, ON

<p>Green infrastructure can improve urban resilience by providing ecosystem services to communities. In the City of Toronto, organizational and political barriers have been found to limit equitable planning efforts that promote multifunctionality. This study applies Meerow and Newell's (2017) Green Infrastructure Spatial Planning (GISP) Model to understand and identify (1) the need for green infrastructure across Toronto's 158 Social Planning Neighbourhoods based on six resilience goals; (2) how these goals are prioritized in planning; and (3) the potential for multiple benefits to be delivered to neighbourhoods. This study has identified and mapped hotspots that display a high need for green infrastructure to improve stormwater management, reduce social vulnerability, increase parkland access, mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and enhance landscape connectivity. The need for green infrastructure was generally highest in neighbourhoods with major non-residential uses and transportation corridors. Stormwater management was the most valued benefit of green infrastructure, and it was found that neighbourhoods with a high need for this benefit were also likely to exhibit a higher need to reduce heat vulnerability, improve air quality, and enhance landscape connectivity. Using these results, recommendations have been proposed to improve strategic green infrastructure planning in the City of Toronto.</p>