1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
10:30 a.m.‐12:00 p.m.
Toronto is growing fast and becoming denser every day. It is important that we protect the quality of public spaces that will serve the large population in the city. Climate change will place further pressure on Toronto's public spaces to serve the public while providing respite during extreme heat days that areincreasing in frequency and intensity. The design of public realm with thermal comfort is key in designing a resilient city, and ensuring a high quality of life by providing comfortable outdoor space. In 2023, the Urban Design Division at the City of Toronto completed a Thermal Comfort Study with a consultant team led by Dialog and Buro Happold. The purpose of the study was to develop guidance related to thermal comfort in the public realm, through City guidelines, standards, and policies.
Thermal comfort refers to people’s satisfaction level in not feeling too hot or too cold. The Thermal Comfort Study addresses thermal comfort in the public realm and shared outdoor amenity spaces, taking into consideration future climate projections and the impacts of surrounding built form. This study combines the wind, sunlight, and other parameters together to assess the quality of the public realm, which comprises all public and private spaces to which the public has access, including amenity spaces associated with residential buildings. It is a network that includes, but is not limited to, streets, lanes, parks,and open spaces.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the impact of built form on thermal comfort.
2. Learn about the comfort criteria for undertaking thermal comfort analysis (with case studies).
3. Gain an overall strategy for designing for thermal comfort.
4. Understand an approach for implementation.
Rong Yu
Project Manager, Urban Design City Planning Division, City of Toronto
Rong Yu is the urban design project manager for the City of Toronto. She has been with the City for more than 20 years and is the urban design lead on a number of complex planning studies and large projects. Some of her recent works include Mid‐Rise Buildings Rear Transition Performance Standards Review and Update, Thermal Comfort Study for the outdoor public realms, EHON Major Street Study, Yonge Street North Planning Study, Don Mills Crossing Secondary Plan, and Mirvish Village redevelopment. Rong holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Urban Development and Design and is a full member of the Ontario Professional Planning Institute (OPPI) and Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).
Kristina Reinders, MAUD, OALA, CSLA
Program Manager, Programs and Strategies Urban Design City Planning Division, City of Toronto
Kristina Reinders works for the City of Toronto as the Urban Design Program Manager for Programs and Strategies. She is a passionate advocate for high‐ quality public realm and forward‐thinking policies that promote livability and make urban life rewarding and enjoyable for all. Kristina has spearheaded a number of public realm and streetscape initiatives, which have resulted in the creation of meaningful, connected public spaces for residents, workers, and visitors, all while actively combating climate change. This is demonstrated by the TOcore Downtown Parks and Public Realm study, which received the national RAIC Urban Design Award, as well as CSLA and ASLA Awards of Excellence for Planning and Analysis. The Plan establishes a clear 25‐year vision and framework for the future of parks and public realm, ensuring a high‐quality of life for the rapidly growing downtown population. In her current role, Kristina leads a diverse work program to deliver on Toronto’s Strategic Priorities. The portfolio consists of a Civic Improvements capital program, city‐wide studies and guidelines, Design Review Panel, Percent for Public Art Program, streetscape design with a focus on green streets and the Toronto Urban Design Awards. This diverse work program is dedicated to combating climate change through policy and guideline development and built demonstration projects; achieving equity in public space investment and design through strategic planning; and celebrating and pushing the agenda of design excellence. Kristina holds a Masters of Arts in Urban Design and is a full member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.
Dorsa Jalalian, MUD, B.Arch.
Associate, Senior Urban Designer, DIALOG
As an Associate and Senior Urban Designer at DIALOG, Dorsa Jalalian brings more than 10 years of expertise in shaping vibrant and equitable urban spaces. With a background in architecture and urban design, her career spans across North America, focusing on master plans, city‐wide planning studies, and design guidelines. Passionate about placemaking, Dorsa has been dedicated to creating public spaces that are lively, bustling, and welcoming to all. More recently, she has focused on ensuring these spaces are also thermally comfortable, adding a crucial layer to their vibrancy and usability.