Our beloved Toronto is no stranger to the challenges of the housing crisis. As a mayoral candidate, I am passionately committed to addressing this critical issue. That's why I'm thrilled to share a bold, innovative, and forward-thinking solution to transform our city's future.
Our Strategy: A Partnership between Education and Industry
The core of our plan involves a strategic partnership with the renowned Daniels School of Architecture at the University of Toronto and the establishment of Canada's largest Housing Automation Factory.
This partnership is a game-changer. It provides an unprecedented opportunity for students and graduates to gain hands-on learning experiences in a state-of-the-art environment. We're talking about cutting-edge technologies like robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and automation that are shaping the future of construction.
The Housing Automation Factory, envisaged as a regional hub, is set to revolutionize the construction industry, paving the way for a new generation of architects and construction professionals.
Volumetric Construction and Building Automation: Pioneering a New Way Forward
Central to our plan is the adoption of volumetric construction—a method of building off-site in a factory-controlled environment. Volumetric construction involves the production of three-dimensional modular units, which are then transported to the site for installation.
This method, combined with Building Automation and Off-Site Construction technologies, accelerates the construction process and ensures stringent quality control. Less waste is produced, efficiency is maximized, and we can construct more homes, more quickly—a crucial factor in combating our housing crisis.
Automation and Job Creation: A Future-Ready Workforce
A common concern is that automation may lead to job losses. But let me assure you, automation isn't about replacing jobs; it's about transforming them.
Automation allows us to remove human involvement in repetitive, strenuous, and hazardous tasks, improving worker safety. It also enables our skilled workforce to shift to more complex, meaningful roles that require a blend of technical, design, and project management skills.
Looking to the Future
This initiative provides a strategic and innovative response to Toronto's housing crisis. It merges the best of academic research and practical construction, while simultaneously creating education and employment opportunities.
I invite you to join me in this exciting endeavour. Together, we can build a future-ready Toronto that not only addresses our current housing crisis but also ensures our city remains at the forefront of architectural innovation and sustainability. This is more than a mayoral promise; it's a vision for a vibrant, thriving Toronto. Join me in making this vision a reality.
Jamie Atkinson
Candidate for Mayor of Toronto