Module 05

Infrastructure

CGEO793
The Geography of
Toronto

The copyright to this original work is held by Bonnie Martens and students registered in
CGEO793 can use this material for the purposes of this course but no other use is permitted.
There can be no sale, transfer or use of the work for any other purpose without explicit
permission of Bonnie Martens.
Topics and Learning Objectives

Topics

This module will cover the following topics:

• Infrastructure including transportation systems (marine facilities, roads,
public transit, airports),
• utilities (water, electricity, waste management)
• communication networks
• “Smart Cities”

2
Topics and Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Describe the different types of infrastructure in the City of Toronto
• Describe some of the main issues and challenges faced in maintaining
these systems.
• Describe possible solutions to some of these problems.

3
 Readings/Videos/Multimedia Required

Drinking Water Management in

Ontario: A Brief History (14 pgs)

Dirt Roads to Freeways and all Toronto Wants to Kill the Smart City
that. (circa 1978) (7:03) Forever

Recommended

Residents want a better

way to report airplane
noise (3:30)
Who Broke the TTC
4
What makes up the infrastructure of a city?

When we talk about the

infrastructure of a city, what do we
mean?
● Infrastructure includes
transportation systems (marine
facilities, roads, public transit,
airports),
● utilities (water, electricity, waste
management), and
● communication networks.

5
Location, location, location

• Toronto's strategic location on the

shores of Lake Ontario made it a
crucial spot for trade and
transportation even in the earliest
days of recorded history.

Source:
6
Rivers of resistance: A history of the Métis Nation of Ontario
A perfect spot to settle

• As we discussed last week,

Toronto was part of the Carrying
Place Trail, was located halfway
between influential military
installations in Kingston and
Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s location
on Lake Ontario was pivotal in its
growth.
• This close proximity to other trade
Source: 1893 Map of Toronto
routes boosted growth.

7
Marine Transportation and Facilities

8
Welland Canal

• The opening of the

Welland Canal in
1829 contributed to
Toronto’s
development,
facilitating the
movement of goods
and people.

9
Welland Canal

• The canal provides a navigable

route between Lake Ontario
and Lake Erie, bypassing the
Niagara Falls, which are
impassable for ships.

Source:
10
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System, Great Lakes Seaway
Who is on the Welland Click here to check out which vessels are currently
Canal now? navigating the Welland Canal.

• The canal supports trade and

commerce, contributing
significantly to the regional
economy.
• It has spurred has spurred the
growth of communities and
industries along its route, playing
a key role in the urban and
industrial development of the
Niagara region

Source:
11
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System, St. Catharine’s Museum
Rideau Canal

• Constructed in 1832, the Rideau

Canal played a significant role
in boosting Toronto's
economic growth by
facilitating the movement of
goods.
• The canal is a remarkable feat of
early 19th-century engineering,
featuring 47 locks that raise
boats 83 meters from the Ottawa
River to Lake Ontario.
Source:
12
History of the Rideau Canal
Military Supply Route to Skating Rink

• It was originally built as a secure

supply route for the British military,
providing an alternative to the St.
Lawrence River, which was
vulnerable to American attacks
during conflicts like the War of
1812.
• Today, it's a popular recreational
destination, especially during
winter when it becomes the
world's largest skating rink.
Source:
13
Six things you didn't know about skating the Rideau Canal in Ottawa
Marine Transportation in Toronto

• The Port of Toronto generates

significant economic activity and
plays a key role in the City of
Toronto.
• In 2022, marine cargo handled at
the port generated $463.5 million
in economic activity and supported
1,989 jobs in Ontario.

Source:
14
Ports of Toronto
Marine Transportation & Tourism

• The Port of Toronto is also a popular destination for cruise ships, welcoming
thousands of passengers each year.

Source:
15
Ports of Toronto
Environmental Benefits

• Moving goods by ship is more

environmentally friendly compared
to road transport.
• In 2020, approximately 54,000
40-tonne trucks were taken off
Toronto's congested roads thanks
to cargo being moved by ship.

Source:
16
Ports of Toronto, hwyh2o
Negative Aspects of Marine Transportation

• Marine transport can lead to air and water

pollution, including oil spills, marine litter and
chemical contaminants. These pollutants can harm
marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
• The introduction of non-indigenous invasive
species through ballast water and biofouling can
disrupt local ecosystems and negatively affect native
species.
• Ships can generate significant underwater noise,
which can disrupt the communication and orientation
of marine life, affecting their natural behaviors.

17
Road Networks

18
Roads Built on Old Trade Networks

• According to Six Nations oral tradition,

many major roads in southern Ontario
are built upon ancient paths created by
indigenous hunters, traders and
diplomats. These pathways connected
indigenous settlements to hunting
grounds, trading posts, and forts. The
natural lake edge trail that later became
known as “Lakeshore” is still clearly
evident within the region, extending Trade routes facilitated not only the exchange
around the circumference of Lake of goods but also the sharing of information and
Ontario. news between different tribes.
Source:
19
Oral Traditions & Niagara's Indigenous Trail Networks
400 Series Highways

• The 400 series highways in Ontario began as part of a

major post-war highway expansion plan in the late
1940s.
• The goal was to create a high-speed road network to
serve the growing population of southern Ontario and
improve transportation between its major cities.
• The designations for the 400 series highways were
introduced on July 1, 1952.
• Initially, only Highways 400, 401, and 402 were
numbered, with other designations following in
subsequent decades.
20
Highway 400 opens!

• The first of these highways, the

Toronto-Barrie Highway (Highway 400),
opened on July 1, 1952, and was the first
fully controlled-access highway in Ontario.
• The portion of Highway 400 between
Toronto and Lake Simcoe roughly
follows the route of the Carrying Place
Trail. The Carrying Place Trail is a historic
footpath that runs north along the Humber
River to Lake Simcoe.

21
And we have been stuck in traffic ever since!

• Traffic in Toronto is quite serious,

especially during peak hours. The
city's highways, such as the 401 and
404, often experience heavy
congestion, leading to significant
delays.
• This congestion not only affects
commuters but also has broader
economic and environmental impacts,
such as increased fuel consumption
and air pollution.

22
Click here to view Toronto area traffic cameras to see how bad things are out on the road.

23
Railroad Systems

24
Humble beginnings, 1853

• The beginning of rail

transportation in Canada had a
huge impact on the development
of Toronto.

May 16th, 1853 The Ontario, Simcoe & Huron

Railway opened on this date from Toronto to
Aurora. It was Toronto’s first railway and the
first steam-powered railway in Ontario.

Source:
25
Toronto Railway Historical Association
First Transcontinental Train, 1886

• It opened new venues to both

passengers and business owners.

June 28th, 1886 First Transcontinental Train

Leaves Toronto. The Canadian Pacific
Railway’s first train to the west coast departed
Toronto and Montreal as two separate trains
that joined in Carleton Place, Ontario. The train
reached its destination of Port Moody, British
Columbia on July 4th.

Source:
26
Toronto Railway Historical Association
Toronto’s Railroads

• Rail transportation is often

underestimated. Massive amounts
of cargo is transported by rail and
entire industries are dependent on
the intricate network of rail that
cross the continent.

Top six commodities transported

by rail, 2014 to 2022
27
Toronto’s Railroads

• But what started out as a 26-kilometre rail

line has expanded into an intricate
network of almost 43,000 kilometres of
track, and one of the most efficient, safe
and cost-effective transportation systems
in the world.
• Today, around 70 per cent of all intercity
surface freight and half of Canada’s
exports are moved by rail. In fact, on
average, Canada’s railways move a tonne
of freight one kilometre for around 4 cents.
Source:
28
Canada's Freight Railways
The future is uncertain

• For many years, rail travel enthusiasts

have pushed for faster rail service.
• On July 6, 2021, procurement for the
Via Rail's High Frequency Rail was
announced. The service is planned to
operate between Toronto and Quebec
City partly along newly constructed
tracks that would run pass through
Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal,
Laval, and Trois-Rivières, and partly
along existing right of way.

29
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

• The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the public transit agency

serving the City of Toronto. It's one of the largest transit systems in
North America.
• Subways: Four lines with extensive coverage across Toronto, including
75 stations.
• Streetcars: A network of routes serving key corridors in the city.
• Buses: Numerous routes covering the entire city, ensuring
comprehensive public transit access.
• Wheel-Trans: A specialized service offering accessible transportation
for people with disabilities.

Source:
30
Toronto Transit Commission
TTC Facts

• The TTC serves approximately 1.7 million

customers on a typical weekday.
• In 2022, the TTC surpassed 33 billion riders since its
inception in 1921.
• The busiest bus and streetcar routes include the
504 King streetcar with an estimated daily usage of
56,700 passengers, and the 501 Queen streetcar
with 55,100 passengers.
• The TTC subway system includes 75 stations and
328 escalators.

Source:
31
Toronto Transit Commission
Financial Issues

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic drop in ridership, leading to a

$92 million monthly shortfall in revenue. Ridership has not yet returned to
pre-pandemic levels.
• Farebox Funding Model: The TTC relies heavily on fare revenue, which
makes up about 63% of its budget. This model is unstable, as dips in
ridership directly impact revenue.
• Compared to other major transit systems, the TTC receives low
government subsidies. This underfunding has led to service cuts and
increased financial strain.
• To manage costs, the TTC has had to reduce service levels, which further
impacts ridership and revenue.
Source:
32
TTC facing $92M monthly shortfall, plummeting ridership due to COVID-19, Who broke the TTC
TTC Challenges

• There have been a series of violent incidents

on the TTC, leading to increased police
presence, but many riders still don't feel safe.
• Shuttle buses during subway delays often
can't handle the passenger volume, leading to
further delays and congestion.
• Service cuts and changes disproportionately
impact low-income and marginalized
communities, creating additional barriers to
employment and education.

Source:
33
Toronto Transit Commission
Air Transportation

34
“Willard went up, Willard went down,
Willard got wet, Willard went home.”
• The first aerial exhibition in North
America and the first flight in Toronto
took place at Scarborough Beach Park
in September 1909. Charles Willard,
took off over the beach but crashed on
his first and second attempts.

• Willard was finally successful on his third attempt, circling over the lake for
about five minutes. The crowd was so excited, they crowded the beach,
leaving him with no place to land, forcing him to crash into the water again.

Source:
35
Early Airfields of Toronto
The Impact of Air Travel on Toronto

• Air travel has since been a

cornerstone of Toronto's
development.
• The city's airports, especially
Toronto Pearson International
Airport (YYZ), facilitate the
movement of millions of
passengers and tons of cargo
annually, supporting trade,
tourism, and business activities.

36
The Growth of YYZ

• The first airport in Toronto was

Malton Airport, which opened on
August 29, 1938. It was located on
a site that originally covered 13
farmers' fields.
• Over the years, it grew and
evolved, eventually becoming
what we know today as Toronto
Pearson International Airport.

The first passenger flight landing at what was

then called Malton Airport. On Aug. 29, 1938 at
Source:
1:10pm an American Airways DC-3 from Buffalo
Toronto Pearson touched down. 37
 Did you know? The airport is named in honor of
Busiest airport in Canada Lester B. Pearson, a former Prime Minister of
Canada?

• Today, that small facility has grown to

become Canada’s largest airport. It
handles twice as many passengers
as the country’s next largest
airport, Vancouver International,
and offers more connections to more
places than all but four global airports.
• YYZ contributes significantly to the
local economy, supporting 50,000
In 2020, the airport handled 388,700 metric
jobs and facilitating 6.3% of Ontario's tonnes of cargo.
GDP In 2023, YYZ handled 44.8 million passengers.
Over 75 airlines operate out of YYZ, offering
Source: both domestic and international flights. 38
Toronto Pearson
YYZ and Urban Development

• The presence of a major airport

has also influenced urban
planning and development.
• Areas around airports have seen
significant infrastructure
improvements, including
transportation links, hotels, and
commercial developments.

39
The Downside of Air Travel on Toronto

• Air travel has had environmental

implications for the city of Toronto.
These include carbon emissions,
noise pollution and increased
traffic and congestion around the
airport lands.

Source:
40
How airlines are racing to curb rising carbon emissions
All that noise!

• Aircraft noise can reach high

decibel levels, especially during
takeoff and landing. This can be
disruptive for residents living
under flight paths.
• Although there are restrictions on
night flights (from 12:30 am to
6:30 am), about 3% of operations
still occur during these hours,
affecting sleep and quality of life
for nearby residents.
Source:
41
Noise Monitoring
Noise Management Noise Monitoring Terminal Locations
Program
• The airport receives numerous
noise complaints from residents,
which are managed through a
Noise Management Program.

Source:
42
Noise Monitoring
Abatement Measures

• Residents can submit complaints via

WebTrak, an online tool that provides
a near-real-time view of air traffic.
• The airport has implemented noise
abatement procedures, such as
preferential runway use during
restricted hours to minimize noise
impact on residential areas.
• Additionally, newer aircraft are
generally quieter, helping to reduce Launch WebTrak
overall noise levels.
Source:
43
Noise Monitoring
Water Utilities

44
Water

• Toronto's first water utility system was established in 1837 as a private

operation. The water was drawn from Lake Ontario and delivered to
customers untreated.
• Before this, water was manually pumped from Lake Ontario, streams, and
wells, and distributed by water carters across the city.
• In 1843, the Toronto Water Works, a subsidiary of the Toronto Gas Light and
Water Company, took over the water supply.
• The city eventually bought out the private company in 1872 and established
the Toronto Water Works Commission to manage the water supply publicly.

Source:
45
Drinking Water Management in Ontario
Water Utility Challenges

• Water main breaks are a common issue, often requiring emergency repairs
and causing temporary water service interruptions.
• While necessary, planned maintenance work can still disrupt water service
for residents.
• Recently, failures in water transmission units have led to inaccurate
billing and hefty water bills for thousands of residents.
• Much of Toronto's water infrastructure is aging, leading to increased
maintenance needs and potential service disruptions.
• Lack of rainfall and aging infrastructure have contributed to water
shortages, prompting the need for water conservation programs and
infrastructure improvements.
Source:
46
Water transmission unit failures lead to hefty bills for thousands of Toronto residents
Electrical Utilities

47
Electricity

• Toronto's first electrical system was introduced in the late 1880s

by private companies to meet the growing demand for electricity.
• One of the pioneers was John Joseph Wright, who built the first
Canadian-made generator in [Link] installed this generator near
King and Yonge streets, and it was used to power early arc lamps,
which were the primary source of electric light at the time.
• In 1908, Torontonians voted overwhelmingly to form a municipal
electricity company, leading to the creation of the Toronto
Hydro-Electric System, which officially began operations on May
2, 1911.

Source:
48
Turning on Toronto: A History of Toronto Hydro
Where do we get our electricity from?

Source:
49
Ontario's Electricity Grid
Toronto Hydro

• Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited is

a regulated electricity distribution
company that delivers electricity to
approximately 768,000 residential,
commercial, and industrial customers in
Toronto and engages in conservation
and demand management activities.

Source:
50
Where are Canada’s reactors located?
Issues facing electricity providers in Toronto

• Large-scale outages can affect thousands of customers.

• Much of the city's electrical infrastructure is aging, leading to increased
maintenance needs and potential service disruptions.
• Transitioning to emissions-free electricity is a significant challenge. Canada
aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which will require
tripling the current power generation capacity.
• New electricity generation projects often face lengthy approval processes,
taking years to get approved and constructed.
• Coordinating efforts across different jurisdictions and Indigenous
communities is necessary but can be complex and time-consuming.

Source:
51
Canada's looming power problem is massive but not insurmountable: report
Waste Management

52
Waste Management

• The city manages close to 850,000

tonnes of waste annually, which is not
sustainable in the long run.
• Diversion Rates: While Toronto has a
comprehensive waste management
system, with a 53.6% diversion rate for
residential waste in 2023, there is still
room for improvement.

Source:
53
Waste Strategy
Where does your garbage go?

• The main landfill, Green Lane Landfill, is

estimated to reach capacity in 14-16
years.
• New legislation requiring municipal
approvals for new landfills has made it
harder to build new landfills, adding to
the challenge of finding space for the
city's garbage.

Source:
54
Ontario's big cities face looming landfill shortage after change to approvals process
Communication Networks

55
Communication Networks

• How the citizens of Toronto

connect and share information
over the years has transformed
significantly over the years with
crucial developments.

56
Indigenous Communication Systems

• Indigenous peoples in Toronto, like

the Haudenosaunee, Wendat and
Mississaugas of the Credit First
Nation, used various methods to
communicate with other tribes.

Source: Built Heritage,First Nations

57
Oral Traditions

• Storytelling, songs, and oral histories were

primary means of passing down knowledge,
traditions, and messages between
generations and tribes.

Source:
58
Indigenous People's Atlas of Canada
Smoke Signals

• Smoke Signals:Used for

long-distance
communication, smoke
signals could convey
messages across large
distances by creating
specific patterns and
sequences.

Source:
59
Communication Through Fire
Messengers

• Trained runners or messengers

would travel between tribes to
deliver important information,
news, or invitations.

Source:
60
Great Iroquois Runners: Lewis “Deerfoot” Bennett and Tom Longboat
Objects such as Wampum Belts

• Objects such as wampum belts,

which were made of beads, were
used to record treaties,
agreements, and historical events.
• These belts were often exchanged
between tribes as a form of
communication and
record-keeping.

61
Early Telegraph Systems

• Telegraph systems were very important to the people of Toronto.

• The telegraph allowed newspapers to exchange news almost instantly
between telegraph stations.
• Money could be sent quickly and cheaply across great distances.
• Helped coordinate schedules for the newly-built railway system.

Source:
62
Heritage Toronto, [Link]
Early Telegraph Systems

• The telegraph allowed instant

communication over vast
distances for the first time in
human history.
• The first telegraph message in
Canada was sent from Toronto to
Hamilton on December 19, 1846,
by the Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara
and St. Catharines
Electro-Magnetic Telegraph
Company.
Source:
63
Heritage Toronto, [Link]
Toronto Area Telegraph Companies

• Several companies, including the

Great North Western Telegraph
Company and Western Union,
established telegraph lines across
the region, connecting Toronto to
other major cities.
• You can still send telegrams
today!

Source:
64
Heritage Toronto, [Link]
The Invention of the Telephone

• On March 7, 1876, Alexander

Graham Bell successfully received
a patent for the telephone and
secured the rights to the
discovery.
• Days later, on March 10, 1876, he
made the first ever telephone call
to his partner, Thomas Watson.

Source:
65
Drawing by Alexander Graham Bell, 1876
Early Toronto Telephone Systems

• Toronto’s first telephone was

introduced that same year in 1876
by Dr. A. M. Rosebrugh, who had
received equipment from
Alexander Graham Bell.

Source:
66
The First Telephone In Toronto, Abner Mulholland Rosebrugh (1835-1914)
Early Technology Adopters

• The first public telephone in Toronto was installed in 1879.

Toronto’s first phone

book with 56
subscribers, 1879.
Source:
67
The First Telephone In Toronto, A Brief History of Toronto’s First Phone Book
How to use a telephone without an operator?

• In 1924, Bell introduced dial service in Montréal

and Toronto, enabling customers to complete a
call without the help of the operator.

Click to watch
a 1936 film
introducing
operator-free
telephone
service.

Click to watch a 1954 film

about how to use a dial
Source: phone.
68
Your new dial telephone
Early Toronto Telephone Exchanges

• Before the advent of area codes in

1960, phone exchange names
once defined neighbourhoods.
Toronto residents used a
neighbourhood name exchange
calling system.
• The first two letters indicate the
neighbourhood, but when you
dialed the person, you would use
Interested in what your
numbers. neighbourhood used to be
known as? Click here!

Source:
69
Toronto Telephone Exchange Geography
Early Toronto Telephone Exchanges

• In this example, the residents in

this apartment building had phone
numbers that started with HU, so
you would dial 48 first and then
the remaining numbers.

Source:
70
Toronto Telephone Exchange Geography
Early Cellular Networks

• Toronto, like much of North

America, saw the introduction of
the first generation (1G) cellular
networks in the mid-1980s. These
networks were analog and
provided basic voice services, but
they suffered from poor sound
quality and limited coverage.
• The first cell phone call in Toronto
took place at City Hall at Nathan
Phillips Square in 1985.
Click here to watch the first cell phone call
between the mayor of Toronto and the mayor of
Montreal on July 1st, 1985. 71
Early Cellular Networks 2G

• The transition to second

generation (2G) digital networks
began in the early 1990s in
Toronto.
• These networks, based on the
Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM), offered
better sound quality, increased
capacity, and the introduction of
text messaging (SMS).

72
Early Cellular Networks 3G

• Toronto's 3G network was

introduced in 2002.
• This third generation of mobile
networks brought significant
improvements, such as faster data
speeds, enabling mobile internet
access, video calls, and more
advanced mobile services
compared to the previous 2G
network.

Source:
73
Telecommunication Statistics
Early Cellular Networks 4G

• Toronto's 4G network was

introduced in 2010.
• This fourth generation of mobile
networks brought significant
improvements, such as faster data
speeds, enabling high-quality
video streaming, mobile web
access, and online gaming

Source:
74
Telecommunication Statistics,
5G Cellular Network

• Toronto's 5G network was

introduced by Rogers
Communications in August 2023.

5G coverage in Canada. The shaded areas

show where 5G networks are in operation, and
the non-shaded areas show where there are no
Source: 5G networks currently in operation. 75
CBC
Challenges with Toronto’s wifi and cell network

• There are frequent reports of service outages from major providers like
Rogers, affecting internet, wifi, and mobile services.
• With a high population density, network congestion is common, leading to
slower internet speeds and dropped calls, especially during peak hours.
• Aging infrastructure and occasional damage to fiber optic cables can lead
to service interruptions and degraded performance.
• Despite improvements, there are still areas in Toronto with poor cell
reception and coverage gaps, particularly in densely built-up or rural
areas.
• The high cost of home internet and cell phone packages cause disparities
in who has access and creates a Digital Divide.
76
Toronto as a Smart City?

A Smart City uses technology and data to improve urban life. Think of it as
a city that uses digital solutions to manage resources efficiently, reduce
waste, and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
• Smart Traffic Management: Using sensors and data to optimize traffic
flow and reduce congestion.
• Energy Efficiency: Implementing smart grids and energy-saving
technologies to lower consumption and costs.
• Public Services: Enhancing services like waste management, public
safety, and healthcare with real-time data.
• Connectivity: Ensuring widespread access to high-speed internet and
integrating digital services for easier citizen interaction.
77
Sustainability over “Smart City” untested
technologies
• Sidewalk Toronto is a cancelled urban development project proposed
by Sidewalk Labs at Quayside, a waterfront area in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. First proposed in 2017, developers wanted 12 acres to create
a mixed-use mixed-income project that would feature smart
technologies. The seeming lack of seriousness about the privacy
concerns of Torontonians was likely the main cause of its demise.

“This unassuming section of Toronto was going to become a hub for an

optimized urban experience featuring robo-taxis, heated sidewalks,
autonomous garbage collection, and an extensive digital layer to monitor
everything from street crossings to park bench usage.”

Source:
78
Toronto wants to kill the smart city forever,
 What’s next?

Before next class:

• Answer Discussion Question 05.

311 Service Requests
or
Review an upcoming infrastructure project
• Answer Exit Survey 05.

79