Group Z

Introduction

Our new world is set in the Toronto of 2034 - ten years into the future, but what feels like a lifetime away. The city has a familiar energy to today, with the iconic CN Tower still gracing the skyline, though there is a marked increase in the density of high-rise buildings spreading outward from the city centre. Familiar challenges of housing, transit, and climate persist, though incremental strides have been made to address them, including the locally-relevant completion of the long awaited Ontario subway line. The streets have seen a gradual decline in commuters - certainly by car - but by foot and bicycle as well, as Toronto adapts to a world where work, socializing, and education - in particular - have become increasingly remote and interconnected. New and more accessible technologies - like virtual reality - bridge the gap between physical and digital life, weaving the city into a networked hub where once distinct neighbourhood lines (a former Hallmark of the 6ix) have blurred and blended somewhat seamlessly with global communities.

Political Climate

The political landscape is marked by tension between tradition and transformation - the swinging of the political pendulum from one extreme to another has persisted, with less tolerance for middle-ground grey. The government is grappling with balancing the needs of increasingly diverse urban populations, while addressing the persistent challenges of housing affordability, wealth inequality (which is becoming more pronounced and visible as the digital divide rises to the surface of nearly every interaction), and climate change. Public trust in traditional political institutions remains fragile, and grassroots political movements are becoming more popular and gaining steam at an increased rate given the advanced digital platforms available to connect those who, 10 years ago, would not normally have been connected. In particular, these grassroots movements are looking for far more transparency and accountability from their elected leaders.