In late fall 2021, Jay Pitter Placemaking was retained to lead the development of the Little Jamaica Master Plan. A master plan is a dynamic, non-statutory document comprising urban design guidelines, zoning analysis and policy recommendations among other content for guiding the future growth and development of a community. To ensure the community’s needs, local expertise and aspirations are honoured, the process will begin with a series of Deep Listening Circles.

The Deep Listening Circle process is an integral component of Jay Pitter Placemaking’s equitable community engagement model. It is a simple process wherein community members are integrated into the community engagement team, while land-use professionals, policy professionals and municipal leaders participate as “listeners.” The process is guided by three powerful questions, related to each theme, that create space for constructive critique, priority setting and hope:

“What is your most pressing concern?”

“What is one uncomfortable thing the project team needs to hear to get this right?”

“What are you most hopeful about at this time?”

The details for the Open Topic - What are additional pressing issues Deep Listening Circle are as follows:

Thursday, June 9, 2022, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Community Co-Facilitator: Morgan Miya

Location: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton Avenue West (community walk starting point)

Please note that we have intentionally refrained from defining this topic. Instead, we’ve offered the above three questions as prompts, have enlisted the expertise of local stakeholders and have created the space for community members to shape the conversation. We look forward to listening to you.