Spatial Mismatch in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area : Examining the Commuting Patterns of Immigrants

The spatial mismatch hypothesis argues that the geographic separation between jobs and housing has an adverse effect on the employment outcomes of ethnic minorities. This research paper tests this assumption for immigrant populations in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area through mapping, cross tabulation and a generalized ordered logit model to determine whether immigrants are at a disadvantage in both the labour market and in terms of commuting distance when compared with Canadian born residents. The results of this study suggest that immigrants are more likely to live over 5 kilometres away from work and that they experience more difficulty in negotiating longer commutes due to higher unemployment rates, lower median household incomes and a greater reliance on transit. In contrast, Canadians are more likely to make daily commutes of over 15 kilometres, however, they are often more capable than immigrants of travelling these increased distances.

Questioning density : an appraisal of the theoretical and empirical basis for smart growth in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area

Smart Growth-densification is an essential element of the local planning ethic. However, little research has been undertaken on impacts of densification in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Accordingly, the first component of this MRP presents a critique of Smart Growth theory that is divided into two strands. The first strand identifies four methodological limitations in the foundational density research upon which Smart Growth theory is based. The second strand concludes that much of reviewed density research has been over-interpreted and appropriated to serve the Smart Growth rationale. To appraise the empirical basis for Smart Growth in the Toronto CMA, four hypotheses are tested using a cross-sectional and quasi-longitudinal design. Although 2006 census tract (CT) density and CT densification (1986-2006) demonstrated a relationship to sustainable outcomes, the nature of these did not conform to predictions of Smart Growth theory. The study also indicated that the relationship between density and outcomes was largely non-linear and partially attenuated by household-level factors. When all sections of this MRP are taken into account, the basis for Smart Growth-densification, according to its present definition, appears increasingly tenuous.

Questioning density : an appraisal of the theoretical and empirical basis for smart growth in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area

Smart Growth-densification is an essential element of the local planning ethic. However, little research has been undertaken on impacts of densification in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Accordingly, the first component of this MRP presents a critique of Smart Growth theory that is divided into two strands. The first strand identifies four methodological limitations in the foundational density research upon which Smart Growth theory is based. The second strand concludes that much of reviewed density research has been over-interpreted and appropriated to serve the Smart Growth rationale. To appraise the empirical basis for Smart Growth in the Toronto CMA, four hypotheses are tested using a cross-sectional and quasi-longitudinal design. Although 2006 census tract (CT) density and CT densification (1986-2006) demonstrated a relationship to sustainable outcomes, the nature of these did not conform to predictions of Smart Growth theory. The study also indicated that the relationship between density and outcomes was largely non-linear and partially attenuated by household-level factors. When all sections of this MRP are taken into account, the basis for Smart Growth-densification, according to its present definition, appears increasingly tenuous.

Spatial Mismatch in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area : Examining the Commuting Patterns of Immigrants

The spatial mismatch hypothesis argues that the geographic separation between jobs and housing has an adverse effect on the employment outcomes of ethnic minorities. This research paper tests this assumption for immigrant populations in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area through mapping, cross tabulation and a generalized ordered logit model to determine whether immigrants are at a disadvantage in both the labour market and in terms of commuting distance when compared with Canadian born residents. The results of this study suggest that immigrants are more likely to live over 5 kilometres away from work and that they experience more difficulty in negotiating longer commutes due to higher unemployment rates, lower median household incomes and a greater reliance on transit. In contrast, Canadians are more likely to make daily commutes of over 15 kilometres, however, they are often more capable than immigrants of travelling these increased distances.

Examining Demographic Characteristics and Settlement Patterns of Ethnoculturally-Diverse Specific Long-Standing and Recent Older Immigrants in the Toronto CMA, 2016

Understanding population characteristics and residential patterns of recent and long-standing older immigrants is important to ensure that settlement services are adequately supporting a diverse and vulnerable population. This research paper represents a pilot study to fill in the gap found in the already limited scholarship on the characterization, spatial distribution and in-group differences of older immigrants in the Toronto CMA. Firstly, it explores the nuanced differences in population composition of four ethnocultural-specific subgroups representing long-standing (Italian and Portuguese) and recent immigrants (Chinese and South Asian) and secondly, it identifies clusters of recent immigrants that are settling outside of the long-standing ethnocultural enclaves. Despite having higher rates of education than their long-standing counterparts, Chinese and South Asian are characterized by low income prevalence and lack of knowledge of an official language. Hence, determining the multilingual composition of the South Asian and Chinese subgroups can facilitate language-specific settlement services within recent older South Asian and Chinese immigrant clusters. Key words: older adults, immigration studies, recent immigrants, settlement challenges, low income, hot spot analysis, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area

Examining Demographic Characteristics and Settlement Patterns of Ethnoculturally-Diverse Specific Long-Standing and Recent Older Immigrants in the Toronto CMA, 2016

Understanding population characteristics and residential patterns of recent and long-standing older immigrants is important to ensure that settlement services are adequately supporting a diverse and vulnerable population. This research paper represents a pilot study to fill in the gap found in the already limited scholarship on the characterization, spatial distribution and in-group differences of older immigrants in the Toronto CMA. Firstly, it explores the nuanced differences in population composition of four ethnocultural-specific subgroups representing long-standing (Italian and Portuguese) and recent immigrants (Chinese and South Asian) and secondly, it identifies clusters of recent immigrants that are settling outside of the long-standing ethnocultural enclaves. Despite having higher rates of education than their long-standing counterparts, Chinese and South Asian are characterized by low income prevalence and lack of knowledge of an official language. Hence, determining the multilingual composition of the South Asian and Chinese subgroups can facilitate language-specific settlement services within recent older South Asian and Chinese immigrant clusters. Key words: older adults, immigration studies, recent immigrants, settlement challenges, low income, hot spot analysis, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area

Changes to Food Service Within Super-Regional Shopping Centres in Toronto

This research explores how the changes in food services have affected super-regional shopping centres in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area between the years of 2014 and 2019. As shopping centres have begun to shift some of their operations away from traditional retailers and begun to invest in food services throughout the centre. The research examines seven food service categories and how each of them affect the overall trade areas of the shopping centre. Trade areas were created through a 60:40 weighting system for the attractiveness of each shopping centre, with 60% going to retail while 40% going to food services. The results of this study indicated that a growth in Fast-Casual, Gourmet Food, and Impulse food services across all shopping centres. While trade areas of shopping centres have seen mixed results due to the growth of food services. Keywords: Food Services, Shopping Centres, Huff Model, Toronto

The Changing Spatial Organization of Ethnic Retailing: A Case Study of Chinese and South Asian Grocery Store Retailers in the Toronto CMA From 2001 to 2016

Understanding the changing spatial structure of ethnic grocery retailing in Canadian urban regions can provide insights into ethnic business development and the well-being of residents, particularly relating to the availability of healthy food and risk of nutrition-related illnesses. This study explores this through a case study of Chinese and South Asian grocery retailing in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). In particular, the changing spatial relationship between ethnic grocery business distribution, ethnic residential patterns, and spatial accessibility is examined between 2001 and 2016. A combination of location quotients and global and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation were utilized to assess the relationship between ethnic groups while measures of spatial central tendency and a nearest neighbor analysis assessed the distribution of grocery retailers. An integrated marginalization-accessibility index was then developed to highlight any spatial mismatch between the level of material deprivation and grocery store access, highlighting patterns of inequality throughout the CMA. The results of the study reveal that Chinese and South Asian grocery retailers and residents have suburbanized over the study period. Index results also indicate that some census tracts (CTs) experienced limited access to both mainstream and ethnic grocery stores, particularly among the South Asian community. Finally, there is a growing number of CTs that are well-serviced to Chinese and South Asian grocery stores but are under-serviced to mainstream retailers, potentially identifying areas where ethnic grocers are filling gaps in service. Key words: ethnic grocery retailing, ethnic residential patterns, accessibility, healthy food provision, marginalized neighbourhoods, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area

The Changing Spatial Organization of Ethnic Retailing: A Case Study of Chinese and South Asian Grocery Store Retailers in the Toronto CMA From 2001 to 2016

Understanding the changing spatial structure of ethnic grocery retailing in Canadian urban regions can provide insights into ethnic business development and the well-being of residents, particularly relating to the availability of healthy food and risk of nutrition-related illnesses. This study explores this through a case study of Chinese and South Asian grocery retailing in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). In particular, the changing spatial relationship between ethnic grocery business distribution, ethnic residential patterns, and spatial accessibility is examined between 2001 and 2016. A combination of location quotients and global and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation were utilized to assess the relationship between ethnic groups while measures of spatial central tendency and a nearest neighbor analysis assessed the distribution of grocery retailers. An integrated marginalization-accessibility index was then developed to highlight any spatial mismatch between the level of material deprivation and grocery store access, highlighting patterns of inequality throughout the CMA. The results of the study reveal that Chinese and South Asian grocery retailers and residents have suburbanized over the study period. Index results also indicate that some census tracts (CTs) experienced limited access to both mainstream and ethnic grocery stores, particularly among the South Asian community. Finally, there is a growing number of CTs that are well-serviced to Chinese and South Asian grocery stores but are under-serviced to mainstream retailers, potentially identifying areas where ethnic grocers are filling gaps in service. Key words: ethnic grocery retailing, ethnic residential patterns, accessibility, healthy food provision, marginalized neighbourhoods, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area