BPUA partnered with the Black Planning Project and the Learning Enrichment Foundation with support through the Foundation for Black Communities’ Black Ideas Grant to bring together research, community knowledge and spatial analysis to better understand the lived experiences of Black Torontonians.

Black communities in Toronto have long experienced systemic inequities related to housing, transportation, access to healthcare, public spaces and economic opportunity. At the same time, many predominantly Black neighbourhoods are facing increasing development pressures, including transit-oriented growth that can contribute to displacement and gentrification.

Mapping Black Urban Health seeks to highlight these realities by examining how planning decisions shape community health outcomes and quality of life. Through data, storytelling and community perspectives, the project aims to support more equitable planning practices and contribute to healthier more inclusive neighbourhoods.

The StoryMap

The StoryMap brings the project’s findings to life through interactive maps, data visualizations, and community narratives. It provides an accessible way to explore the relationship between urban environments and health of Black residents across Toronto.