Item - 2025.PH18.14

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the Thermal Comfort Guidelines, included as Attachment 1 to the report (January 9, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and Executive Director, Development Review, to apply the Thermal Comfort Guidelines in the evaluation of city-initiated large area studies.

3. City Council request the Executive Director, Development Review, to apply the Thermal Comfort Guidelines in the evaluation of large site developments (over 5 hectares) with buildings over 6 storeys on a voluntary basis.

4. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to apply the Thermal Comfort Guidelines in the evaluation of major outdoor public realm capital projects on a voluntary basis.

This report recommends Council’s adoption of the Thermal Comfort Guidelines shown as Attachment 1 to this report and that Council direct staff to apply the Thermal Comfort Guidelines in the evaluation of City-initiated large area studies, major outdoor public realm capital projects, and large site developments (over 5 hectares) with buildings over 6 storeys.

In a period of climate change, it is becoming increasingly important to protect the quality and comfort of the public realm that serves residents, workers, and visitors in the city. Climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions, and there is a growing need to design public spaces that optimize comfort in four seasons.  Toronto's population continues to grow, with much growth occurring through vertical densification. The public realm is an important shared amenity that will be relied upon by more and more people for recreation as well as respite from hot indoor conditions. The design of the public realm optimized for thermal comfort is key in building a resilient and livable city.

Thermal comfort is the measure of how someone feels thermally whether they are too hot or too cold, and the degree of their comfort or discomfort. The four primary contributing factors to thermal comfort are air temperature, radiant temperature, relative humidity, and air movement. The outdoor public realm is all exterior public and private spaces to which the public has access. It is a network that includes but is not limited to, streets, lanes, parks, and open spaces.

City Planning identified the need to update the existing study, "Sun, Wind and Pedestrian Comfort: A Study of Toronto’s Central Area" (1990), prepared for the former City of Toronto more than 30 years ago to analyse how development would affect street level sun, wind, and thermal comfort conditions. The update incorporates new technology and software, as well as modern methodologies to ensure data-driven insights. The Guidelines take a Toronto-specific approach with performance metrics that establish seasonal targets. The Guidelines provide a clear methodology to undertake a Thermal Comfort Study as outlined in the appendices, equipping designers, planners, and the development industry with information on the impact of the built environment on the thermal comfort of public spaces.

The outlined Thermal Comfort Study methodology aligns with and integrates the findings of Pedestrian Level Wind Studies and Sun/Shadow Studies, which are required for development applications involving buildings over 6 storeys. While Pedestrian Level Wind Studies and Sun/Shadow Studies are primarily required for development applications, the Thermal Comfort Study methodology, as outlined in the appendices of the guidelines, is designed to inform City-initiated large-scale area studies, major outdoor public realm capital projects, and large site developments (over 5 hectares). For such large area studies or developments, the Thermal Comfort Study assists in organizing streets and blocks and strategically locating outdoor parks, open spaces, and amenities to maximize thermal comfort. This approach fosters a cohesive and comprehensive strategy for city planning, ensuring a more sustainable and livable urban environment.

The Guidelines also feature a Design Toolbox, offering developers and planners practical strategies to mitigate negative thermal impacts. This toolbox helps development proposals address thermal comfort effectively, promoting better urban environments.

Ultimately, the Thermal Comfort Guidelines address outdoor public realm thermal conditions, responding to climate emergencies, sustainability goals, and the needs of a growing population. By prioritizing thermal comfort, the city enhances urban living, encouraging residents to explore the outdoors, stay active, and engage in recreational activities year-round. This dynamic engagement strengthens urban vibrancy and resilience, fostering a city where people and communities thrive.

The purpose of this report is to provide background on the Thermal Comfort Guidelines, an overview of the contents of the Guidelines, how the Guidelines will be used, and an outline of the next steps.