Welcome to the
Infrastructure Institute
Imagining innovative design and community building for better cities.
We are a training, advisory and interdisciplinary research hub at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. Our vision is to build local and global expertise in planning for civil and social infrastructure, decision-making, and delivery.
Check out our advisory work for city-building strategies and lasting impacts in our communities.
Latest Feature
Essential Spaces: Real (Estate) Solutions for Community Needs
This project examines the real estate landscape of the GTA’s community services sector. The research analyzes the distribution of owned and leased community services real estate in Peel, Toronto and York Region. By utilizing geospatial data, we analyze changes over time and provide insight into risks and opportunities for preserving and developing CRE within the community services sector. This research asks: what is the extent of risk associated with real estate ownership and rental prices in Peel, Toronto and York Region for community service organizations, and how might CRE be leveraged to mitigate these risks?
SPRE 101 Video Series
Our SPRE 101 Video series seeks to address the reality that mission-driven organizations often lack the expertise and experience necessary to expand their services through development. By explaining key SPRE concepts – including concept visioning, planning approvals, business and financial modelling, and site acquisition – this series provides organizations with the introductory knowledge needed to approach a new SPRE project.
In the Media
Toronto Star
SEP 2024
Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki’s op-ed in the Toronto Star.
CBC News
SEP 2024
Government declines to comment on measures outlined in draft internal documents. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki spoke to CBC on the impacts of cyclist safety.
Global News
SEP 2024
Ontario Premier Doug Ford plans to focus on Toronto’s grinding gridlock in a round of upcoming legislation that promises to be “game-changing” for drivers. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki spoke to Global News about what this means for drivers.
Global News
SEP 2024
New report from the Toronto Region Board of Trade found the current cost of new transit in the city averages more than $700 million per kilometre. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki talked with Global News about how political choices can drive costs up.
Toronto Star
AUG 2024
The West Toronto Railpath is beloved and well-used. It shouldn’t cost $75 million per km to expand. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki is featured in Toronto Star talking about this high cost.
CBC
AUG 2024
More Toronto flooding and Montreal’s water main break the latest in a series of flood events this summer. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki talked to CBC about the future of flooding in cities.