Walk Toronto was pleased to work with Toronto Metropolitan University School of Urban and Regional Planning studio class in the fall term of 2023 to develop a major report on how to improve sidewalk snow clearing in Toronto for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and convenience.
The class was led by Prof. Pamela Robinson, and the report was prepared by students Catherine Caetano-Macdonell, Sara Cullen, Alex Hanes, Kiera McMaster, Frani O’Toole, Ramya Ragavan, and Aneil Sihota. Walk Toronto was the “client” of the studio, and Walk Toronto steering committee members Michael Black, Adam Cahoon, Pamela Gough, Daniella Levy-Pinto, Dylan Reid, and Doug Vallery met with the students several times over the course of the term to provide insight and feedback.
The comprehensive TMU report “Keeping Sidewalks Safe in Winter: 2023 Update,” published in December 2023, builds on the 2014 Walk Toronto report “Keeping Sidewalks Safe in Winter,” which was prepared by Michael Black. The new 2023 report incorporates comprehensive research on the current state of sidewalk snow clearing in Toronto and examples of best practices from around Canada and the world, concluding with an extensive series of recommendations.
