The podcast dives into the heated world of NIMBYism in Toronto, spotlighting a community's fierce push against gentle garden suites. Cara expresses her frustration over local councilors siding with residents who resist change to preserve neighborhood identity. The conversation also tackles the urgent need for affordable housing versus the desires of long-time residents. With a humorous comparison of public complaints to toddler tantrums, the hosts emphasize the importance of civic engagement in shaping urban planning and advocating for housing solutions.
13:39
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
NIMBYism in Toronto complicates efforts to introduce gentle density housing like garden suites, undermining city-wide housing goals.
Residents' emotional attachment to neighborhood character often conflicts with the urgent need for diverse and accessible housing options.
Deep dives
NIMBYism and Housing Supply Challenges
The issue of nimbyism among city councilors is highlighted as they attempt to navigate and sometimes bypass citywide upzoning rules, which are intended to increase housing supply. Despite new regulations allowing garden suites throughout Toronto, some residents are pushing for exemptions that would preserve the existing character of their neighborhood, showing resistance to changes that could introduce denser housing options. This scenario illustrates a common struggle where local interests clash with broader housing demands, emphasizing that even minimal adjustments to housing policies face significant opposition. Such nimbyistic attitudes can hinder progress toward solving the housing crisis, as they prioritize maintaining the status quo over accommodating new housing developments.
Historical Context of Local Resistance
The podcast discusses the historical background of neighborhoods like Craven Road, where the residents express concerns about potential development infringing upon their long-standing way of living. This area, once home to impoverished communities, has evolved into a space where property values have significantly increased, reflecting the broader changes in the city's housing market. Residents cite their dislike for garden suites, framing them as 'monster homes' that would disrupt the historical character of their streets, despite these new constructions being smaller and potentially more affordable. This resistance is rooted in a desire to protect the established neighborhood identity, yet it may overlook the pressing need for more housing options for current and future generations.
Community Engagement and Future Implications
There is a growing movement among younger residents and advocates who support zoning changes and the introduction of garden suites to improve overall housing accessibility. Public consultations reveal a division where some residents oppose potential construction due to fear of reduced property values and altered neighborhood dynamics, while others argue for broader housing initiatives that will allow them to live and work in the same city. Concerns arise that creating exemptions for specific streets may set a concerning precedent, prompting similar demands in other neighborhoods and undermining city planning efforts aimed at addressing the housing shortage. Encouraging active community engagement on this matter is crucial, as it could pave the way for sustainable solutions that balance individual concerns with the collective need for housing.
In this episode of Missing Middle, journalist Cara Stern is mad. A street in her neighbourhood in Toronto is trying to get an exemption to the city-wide garden suites rules.
Cara and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the ongoing challenges of NIMBYism in Toronto, still supported by local city councillors, even when it's about the gentlest of gentle density.
