Deindustrialization, Gentrification, and Displacement in Toronto's Leslieville and South Riverdale
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Authors
Donolo, Michael
Date
2022-04
Type
Language
en
Keyword
Gentrification , Urban Planning , Displacement , Deindustrialization , Toronto
Alternative Title
Abstract
Leslieville and South Riverdale are traditionally working-class neighbourhoods just east of downtown Toronto. The research in this report employed a mixed-methods case study to analyze deindustrialization, gentrification, and displacement in Toronto’s Leslieville and South Riverdale neighbourhoods. Specifically, this report addressed the following three research objectives:
i. Determine whether, and to what extent, deindustrialization preceded gentrification in Leslieville and South Riverdale
ii. Examine the relationship between deindustrialization and gentrification in Leslieville and South Riverdale
iii. Identify and gauge the effectiveness of past and current policymaker interventions at preventing gentrification-induced displacement in Leslieville and South Riverdale
This report used quantitative methods to analyze deindustrialization and gentrification in Leslieville and South Riverdale. The research found that the study area deindustrialized to a greater magnitude than Toronto at large. The study area and Toronto’s deindustrialization signified an economic “restructuring” from manufacturing economies to service-based economies. Next, this research determined that the level of gentrification varied by each census tract. Two of the seven census tracts in the study area exhibited every characteristic of gentrification, four census tracts showed most characteristics, while one census tract exemplified a minority of gentrification indicators. Most of the statistical indicators of gentrification in Leslieville and South Riverdale emerged between 2006 and 2011. A correlation analysis of tract-level manufacturing labour shares and gentrification indicators showed there were statistically significant, though complex, correlations between the neighbourhoods’ deindustrialization and gentrification.
The final component of this research was a content analysis and assessment of anti-displacement policies in the study area. I found that several traditional policies (e.g., rent control, social housing maintenance, developer incentives, rental assistance, etc.) have existed for a long time, including during the study area’s 2006 to 2011 gentrification. On the other hand, more modern policies (e.g., Inclusionary Zoning, co-op expansion, social housing revitalization, rent bank, etc.) have only recently proliferated. Overall, this report found that deindustrialization was a precondition for Leslieville and South Riverdale’s gentrification. Moreover, there were about half the listed anti-displacement policies in place during the study area’s gentrification whereas now most of these anti-displacement policies apply in Leslieville and South Riverdale.