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.

DesignTO opening reception

Read Infrastructure Institute’s research papers and publications.

Learn more about our Groundwork, FutureBUILDS and Roadmap Connect programs.

Find out about our work involving public presentations, exhibitions and events.

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 Life

JAN 2025

New York has started charging divers who are getting behind the wheel at peak hours, and its streets already generate less road rage. Could the same be true in our traffic jam of a city? Read this interview with Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki in Toronto Life.

The Globe and Mail

JAN 2025

Across Canada, much-needed transit projects are indefinitely delayed and way over budget. Why? Political micromanagement and public-private partnerships each play a big role. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki talked with the Globe and Mail about P3s in transit.

York Region

JAN 2025

York, Peel and Toronto non-profits providing essential community services face hefty rents and evictions. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki caught up with York Region to talk about the ins and outs of this crisis.

CBC

JAN 2025

Vancouver proposed congestion pricing in 2020, but it was nixed in 2022. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki spoke to CBC about how this might work for Toronto.

Toronto Star

JAN 2025

One week into implementation, total traffic in the tolling zone dropped by 7.5 per cent compared to the equivalent period last year, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said.  Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki caught up with Toronto Star about what this could mean for Toronto.

CP24

JAN 2025

It feels like Torontonians are spending more time than ever stuck in traffic and with a series of major construction projects planned for 2025, there may not be much relief on the horizon. Director of the Infrastructure Institute, Matti Siemiatycki talked to CP24 about construction plans for Toronto.

The Globe and Mail

JAN 2025

Op-Ed in the Globe and Mail by Infrastructure Institute’s Matti Siemiatycki