“Best Practices” in Municipal Service Delivery:
In November of 2000, the Canadian Urban Institute completed a Best Practices report on municipal service delivery for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) Financial Services Branch. The report reviewed five key categories of municipal service delivery models, including: Program-Based Business Planning/Performance Measurement/Activity-Based Costing; Competitive Service Delivery; Alternative Service Delivery; Continuous Improvement Tools and Sustainable Infrastructure/Asset Management. The report highlighted case study examples for each approach and examined barriers to service delivery innovation in Ontario, concluding with suggested steps and strategies to encourage the implementation of effective new approaches to service delivery. This updated research report will be posted on the new best practices web site organized by the MAH and The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Competitiveness of City Regions: Global Review:
For the Office for the Greater Toronto Area (OGTA), in cooperation with Urban Strategies Inc., the CUI produced a report that reviewed 13 city regions on three continents to evaluate and compare urban issues facing the GTA, in order to recommend potential approaches. Topics examined included regional governance, growth management, revenue sources and funding mechanisms, means for transportation, construction and delivery. Currently, research is being undertaken to update this project on the competitiveness of city regions.
Economic Development and Environment
Competitive City Regions in the Knowledge Economy:
A 1999 conference organized in partnership with the federal government, the Province
of Ontario, the Council of Ontario Universities and the Association of Colleges
of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario. This event highlighted the potential
for municipal, post-secondary institutions and the private sector to work together
towards a common vision for economic development. As a result of the conference,
the Ontario Competitive City Regions Partnership (OCCR) was formed to facilitate
local symposia in a dozen communities in Ontario.
Urban Planning, Housing and Growth Management
"Business Competitiveness in the
GTA: Why Toronto is Losing Ground" - June 2005 The Canadian Urban Institute,
with Gordon Harris of Harris Consulting, was retained
by the Toronto Office Coalition to study the effect
on business competitiveness of current property tax
inequities between Toronto and the surrounding jurisdictions.
The report also examines the longer-term consequences
of development patterns in the region. Click
here to download.
Toronto City Summit Alliance:
In 2002-2003, the CUI was the lead consultant to the Housing Work Group of the Toronto City Summit Alliance – a partnership of private sector, corporate and community-based agencies providing leadership on critical urban issues in the GTA.
The full report, titled Enough Talk – An Action Plan for the Toronto Region, can be found here:
www.torontocitysummit.ca.
Pathways to Livability:
A research report on the concept of compact urban form produced for the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in 2002. It will be published by the Ministry in several different reports and identify a broad range of ideas to inspire the elected officials, policy makers and other individuals and organization with a vested interest in protecting the livability of our communities.
Smart Growth in Canada:
A background and position paper prepared in 2001 by CUI in preparation for the conference series.
To view report on Smart Growth in Canada, click here.
Urban Structure of Greater Toronto – An Analysis of Progress Towards the Vision:
In 1997, the CUI undertook research and produced this report on behalf of the
Province of Ontario. This involved a detailed examination of the steps taken
by 22 municipalities in developing concentrations of higher density mixed-use
development. The study also recommends ways to improve the effectiveness of
this vision. This is the subject of ongoing collaboration to revise the vision.
Heritage and Culture
Feasibility Study for a Museum in Toronto:
In 2002-2003, the CUI, in partnership with Lord Cultural Resources, Lura Consulting and ERA Architects, was awarded a contract by the Culture Division, City of Toronto, to conduct a feasibility study for a Museum of Toronto on Toronto’s waterfront.
