. Weston Rd. Study Early Research Findings and Observations
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Who lives on Weston Rd.?
The percentage of total immigration across Toronto has decreased, with a 9% increase in the visible minority population. In contrast, Weston has a relatively stable rate of immigration to the total population (47% to 48%), with a 14% increase in the visible minority population. The percentage of the Black population (from 49% to 58%) in Weston is higher than that of other visible minority groups, such as Latin American, Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Filipino communities. This contrasts sharply with the broader demographic landscape of Toronto, where the Black population accounted for less than 20% of the visible minorities between 2006 and 2021. Jamaicans and immigrants from other parts of the Americas (excluding Canada and the United States) constitute the largest immigrant communities.
The percentage of the Black population is the highest among all visible minorities. The stable proportion of the immigrant population relative to the total population indicates that Weston remains a significant neighbourhood for newcomers. This suggests a demand for services and support systems tailored to immigrants, such as affordable housing.
Weston’s increase in the visible minority population is notable (14% compared to Toronto’s 9%). This indicates that Weston may experience more rapid demographic changes, resulting in a more diverse community and a greater need for comprehensive services for visible minorities.
A larger Black population in Weston necessitates intentional and multifaceted efforts to ensure that community services, support programs, and inclusivity initiatives effectively address their needs. This involves tackling systemic issues such as racial profiling, economic disparities, and educational support specifically designed for this community. Weston’s growth in the visible minority population is pronounced (14% compared to Toronto’s 9%). This suggests Weston might be experiencing more rapid demographic shifts, leading to a more diverse community and increased demand for comprehensive services catering to visible minorities.
A larger Black population in Weston requires deliberate and multidimensional efforts to ensure that community services, support programs, and inclusivity initiatives effectively address their needs. This includes addressing systemic issues such as racial profiling and economic disparities and providing educational support tailored to this community.
. How Inclusive or Exclusive is the Public Discourse on Weston Road?
The news and media discourses undermine recognitional justice by portraying Weston as a crime-ridden, disorderly, and dangerous neighbourhood. The narrative of Weston as a problematic “hood” dominates the public discourse. Violent crime is overrepresented, and local businesses, ethnic diversity, cultural heritage, and growth and development are under-discussed.
At the intersections of class, race, and immigration, the public discourse in Weston excludes the voices of racialized communities of low- to moderate-income immigrant families, which make up the majority of Weston. Whether through media agencies, neighbourhood activities, or community meetings, the voices of Black Westonians are underrepresented, marginalized, and overshadowed by a dominant narrative from White homeowners, who represent the elite minority in the area.
The private discourse within the Weston community has thus far failed to promote procedural justice and foster community inclusivity. Existing records and the limited information gathered from community meetings, social activities, and cultural events indicate a lack of community representation, inclusive consultation, and authoritative decision-making power concerning community development.
Recent anti-gentrification protests and rent strikes in Weston bring attention to ongoing community pushback on new development and the concerns surrounding gentrification, including the rise of unaffordable housing, the displacement of residents, the removal of small businesses, and the erasure of sites of cultural heritage and community legacy.
Weston residents experience diverse forms of environmental injustice at the intersections of race, class, and immigration status, unique to their urban environment and spatial conditions.
The news and media discourses undermine recognitional justice by portraying Weston as a crime-ridden, disorderly, and dangerous neighbourhood. The narrative of Weston as a problematic “hood” dominates the public discourse. Violent crime is overrepresented, and local businesses, ethnic diversity, cultural heritage, and growth and development are under-discussed.
At the intersections of class, race, and immigration, the public discourse in Weston excludes the voices of racialized communities of low- to moderate-income immigrant families, which make up the majority of Weston. Whether through media agencies, neighbourhood activities, or community meetings, the voices of Black Westonians are underrepresented, marginalized, and overshadowed by a dominant narrative from White homeowners, who represent the elite minority in the area.
The private discourse within the Weston community has thus far failed to promote procedural justice and foster community inclusivity. Existing records and the limited information gathered from community meetings, social activities, and cultural events indicate a lack of community representation, inclusive consultation, and authoritative decision-making power concerning community development.
Recent anti-gentrification protests and rent strikes in Weston bring attention to ongoing community pushback on new development and the concerns surrounding gentrification, including the rise of unaffordable housing, the displacement of residents, the removal of small businesses, and the erasure of sites of cultural heritage and community legacy.
Weston residents experience diverse forms of environmental injustice at the intersections of race, class, and immigration status, unique to their urban environment and spatial conditions.
. How Safe is Weston Rd.? Whose Safety?
As a designated neighbourhood improvement area (NIA), official media sources continue to portray Weston as a socially violent and dangerous place to live and visit. Consequently, the spatial layout of Weston Road indicates that greater attention has been directed towards enhancing safety through environmental design, rooted in the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design methodology, which aims to establish ownership and clearly defined uses of public space to “design out crime.”
The Weston Residents Association convenes meetings regarding community safety. Its most recent meeting addressed proposed environmental changes that align with CPTED interventions, such as a porchlight campaign to enhance visibility at night.
However, CPTED often faces criticism because its interventions typically treat crime as an environmental issue rather than a social one. It has been established that residents need more emphasis on social programs and affordable housing. Consequently, the effectiveness of CPTED interventions on Weston Road may be limited. With increasing public discourse surrounding the potential gentrification of the area, safety concerns from both residents and the official media will also be influenced.
Gentrification is likely to enhance perceptions of safety in the area, but it will also likely increase social friction as new populations transition into Weston.
. What are Weston’s Rd.’s current building edge forms, and how will
they change?
The street front of Weston Rd. near Lawrence Ave features a variety of active, semi-active, and passive storefronts. Businesses along Weston Rd. occupy different building types, many situated in narrow, pre-war two- or three-storey structures. There are also businesses located in the basements of post-war apartment buildings, alongside a few big box stores and several strip malls.
Most buildings have no setback, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience.
Most businesses on Weston Road between Church Street and Denison are independently owned, and about half have been operating for over ten years, showing a strong community bond. Notably, chain businesses on Weston tend to have, on average, larger footprints than their independent counterparts.
Weston is home to many first and second-generation African and Caribbean immigrants, particularly in the post-war apartments along Weston Road. Over the years, newcomers from countries like Jamaica, Somalia, Guyana, Nigeria, and Ethiopia have established many culturally significant businesses.
The Weston Residents' Association primarily represents more affluent residents who live in single-family homes east of the railway tracks. Their concerns about opaque storefronts and the perception that few local stores or restaurants cater to their needs have led the WRA to critique existing independent businesses.
Large developers have acquired many parcels on Weston Road. The WRA views these new developments as an opportunity to diversify and enhance the main commercial strip, accommodating larger retail spaces. However, this development poses a risk of displacing culturally vital businesses that play essential roles in the lives of low-income and immigrant families.
The street front of Weston Rd. near Lawrence Ave features a variety of active, semi-active, and passive storefronts. Businesses along Weston Rd. occupy different building types, many situated in narrow, pre-war two- or three-storey structures. There are also businesses located in the basements of post-war apartment buildings, alongside a few big box stores and several strip malls.
Most buildings have no setback, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience.
Most businesses on Weston Road between Church Street and Denison are independently owned, and about half have been operating for over ten years, showing a strong community bond. Notably, chain businesses on Weston tend to have, on average, larger footprints than their independent counterparts.
Weston is home to many first and second-generation African and Caribbean immigrants, particularly in the post-war apartments along Weston Road. Over the years, newcomers from countries like Jamaica, Somalia, Guyana, Nigeria, and Ethiopia have established many culturally significant businesses.
The Weston Residents' Association primarily represents more affluent residents who live in single-family homes east of the railway tracks. Their concerns about opaque storefronts and the perception that few local stores or restaurants cater to their needs have led the WRA to critique existing independent businesses.
Large developers have acquired many parcels on Weston Road. The WRA views these new developments as an opportunity to diversify and enhance the main commercial strip, accommodating larger retail spaces. However, this development poses a risk of displacing culturally vital businesses that play essential roles in the lives of low-income and immigrant families.
. How Enjoyable is Taking a Stroll down Weston Rd.?
The area of Weston Rd. has had a variety of uses, including fur, automotive, and manufacturing industries, which historically coexisted with local businesses serving factory workers and their communities.
However, as these industries declined, smaller lots were merged into larger ones. The neighborhood's industrial downturn has resulted in a distinct building edge defined by three key features: buildings positioned directly on the edge and open spaces that create substantial setbacks for "tower-in-the-park" developments and parking lots.
While Weston Road is often mentioned as lacking public space, it is relatively walkable and located next to a lovely public park. The neighborhood has essential amenities such as schools, access to green areas, and a prominent commercial street. As new developments rise and the cost of living increases, residents increasingly depend on resources beyond their neighborhood.
The area of Weston Rd. has had a variety of uses, including fur, automotive, and manufacturing industries, which historically coexisted with local businesses serving factory workers and their communities.
However, as these industries declined, smaller lots were merged into larger ones. The neighborhood's industrial downturn has resulted in a distinct building edge defined by three key features: buildings positioned directly on the edge and open spaces that create substantial setbacks for "tower-in-the-park" developments and parking lots.
While Weston Road is often mentioned as lacking public space, it is relatively walkable and located next to a lovely public park. The neighborhood has essential amenities such as schools, access to green areas, and a prominent commercial street. As new developments rise and the cost of living increases, residents increasingly depend on resources beyond their neighborhood.