Toronto is a thriving green community

While Toronto excels in many aspects of making a green livable city there are still areas that need improvement. To breakdown all the aspects of Toronto and of a green community, website, program or business would be a formidable task. Instead one vision behind simply stephen is to focus on grassroots business and groups, neighbourhoods, programs, events and initiatives that aren’t bogged down with rules, regulations, policies and guidelines. A community should flow easily and access shouldn’t be complicated and bureaucratic!

Toronto Downtown

Toronto is perhaps the community of all communities. Situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario and the capital for the Canadian province of the same name (Ontario) it is the 5th largest metropolitan area in North America with a population of over 5.5 million but unlike our American counterparts and in comparison to other Canadian cities it boasts a low crime rate per capita.

Toronto consistently ranks as one of the worlds most livable cities. Considered one of the world’s top economic centers rich in education, business, banking, tourism, communication, software, transportation, medicine, media and sports.  It spans 43km along the lake shore and 21km north but the communities close by are all closely knit.

Perhaps it’s most recognized for the CN Tower, which for 30 years was the worlds largest freestanding tower. The terrain is diverse with lakes, rivers, ravines, parks, gardens, islands, beaches, spits, harbours and trails. Toronto has a moderate climate with warm, humid summers and long cold winters but truly has 4 distinct seasons.

Toronto is perhaps the greenest community in the world!

Okay, that’s a pretty bold statement but here’s why. Green is a very diverse word and being a rich diverse community is a classic example of being green. At present almost 50% of the population was born outside of Canada and within a decade it will reach a strong majority. Over 45%  of the city are a visible minority with this surpassing 50% in a matter of years. These populations come from almost every country in the world, making us truly a little United Nations. There is a community center for almost all of these countries.

But let’s take it one step further and look at the neighbourhoods. Toronto is made up of 6 regions East York, Etobicoke, North York, Old Toronto, Scarborough and York. Within each of these regions lie areas, some old, some new, some developed, some commercial, some historical, some parkland, some gardens, well you get the point. There is old Toronto and then old suburbs, then new suburbs. Each area also has different neighbourhoods that blend into each other with an overlap that is sometimes not even noticed.

The downtown Chinatown, one of at least 3 Chinatown’s in the greater area, blends into Kensington Market and reaches into the Art, University, Hospital and Business parts of town. The outer suburbs have huge developments, parks, buildings and community halls to service the growing populations. Literally hundreds of neighbourhoods have a different feel, food, sound, site and sense to them.

The Toronto community is active in arts, volunteer, philantrophy, culture, nature, conservation, events, and activities to provide community feeling. There are Jazz Festivals, community solutions for a specific culture or cause. Gardens, large dedicated park space and ravines with green walks and tours.

A large transportation system that has growing pains is complemented by extended bike paths, bicycle networks, car sharing, linked railway routes and multiple airports. Local markets promote community grown food and on top of the permanent markets at Kensington and St. Lawrence, farmers markets with organic and local foods are being promoted throughout the city.

One interesting program is Not Far From The Tree, where you can be involved in picking fruit from someones house and sharing it. There are green hotels, tourist attractions and grassroots programs for visitors and residents alike. If you want something you can find it in a Toronto community somewhere. Share your community and how you think it’s green. Learn about the benefits of local living and community support.

To learn more keep visiting or tell me what you want to hear about…simply stephen wants to share.

if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones!

• what is a locavore
• Go Local Toronto – help your community!
• Community Fruit Picking – Not Far From The Tree
• 39 steps to online community
• what is community