Insight: Transit Deserts and Hulchanski's Three Cities

 In December (2010), the University of Toronto Cities Centre released an update to their influential 2007 "Three Cities within Toronto" report. This work identifies the growing income polarization and subsequent segregation with the City of Toronto while also describing the changing economic dynamics of the City over time (1970-2005).

The Three Cities report identifies three geographically distinct "cities" within the City of Toronto. In City 1, incomes have increased 20% or more since 1970. In City 2, incomes have increased or decreased less than 20% since 1970. Finally, in City 3, income decreased 20% or more since 1970 (Hulchanski 2010, 7).

In the updated report, Professor David Hulchanski advocates light-rail for low-income households as a potential policy intervention. This proposal is in line with transit research currently underway at the Martin Prosperity Institute that finds that the city's inner suburbs are under-served by the transit system.