JT
CASE STUDY

Better Streets Toronto

Designing a digital platform advocating for mobility justice.

In Toronto, mobility is not experienced equally. While some neighbourhoods benefit from pedestrian-friendly streets, marginalized communities often struggle with limited access to safe, efficient, and affordable resources. This disparity impacts everything from job opportunities to healthcare access, reinforcing systemic inequalities in race, class, and ability. Better Streets Toronto (BSTO) is a project that reimagines how digital platforms can advocate for mobility justice through design. Our goal was to bridge this gap to empower communities with the tools they need to advocate for safer streets, better transit, and more walkable neighbourhoods.

DetailsTEAMSam Overend
Aaliyah Romero
Nabiha Tasnim
Caitlyn YimFOCUSDesign Advocacy 
Interaction Design
User Interface DesignROLEUser Interface DesignerTIMELINEOct–Dec 2023


Framing the ProblemMobility justice focuses on prioritizing walking, cycling, and social spaces over car-centric infrastructure. Walkable neighbourhoods improve access to jobs, services, and healthier food options, though beyond downtown Toronto’s core, areas like Jane & Finch, Regent Park, and Scarborough Village face systemic barriers related to race, class, ability, and transit access. Long commutes, inconsistent transit routes, and financial inaccessibility limit opportunities in education and employment, reinforcing inequality.

This project examines how we, as designers, can drive mobility justice by amplifying marginalized voices, increasing information accessibility, and advocating for change. It explores how design can be a tool for activism, reshaping accessibility in Toronto’s underserved communities.
    Researching Mobility
    Disparities
    KEY INSIGHTSOur research helped underscore the importance of more inclusive urban planning for pedestrians in both low-income and mobility-challenged neighbourhoods:

    1. Access to advocacy resources is crucial for Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA) residents, empowering them to inspire change within their communities.

    2. Social equity through mobility justice advocates for fair and equitable access to transportation, prioritizing the development of safer, pedestrian-friendly urban environments.

    3. A centralized resource is needed to connect stakeholders, organizations, and concerned citizens to the initiatives and projects actively working to bridge mobility gaps.

    AREA OF OPPORTUNITYFrom this, we concluded that: residents need an accessible, centralized platform that connects their communities with the resources and advocacy tools necessary to promote mobility justice. 
        THE BIG QUESTION

        How might we create a user-friendly platform that empowers residents to self-advocate for the development of safer, pedestrian-friendly urban spaces in their communities?
        Bridging the Gap
        THE SOLUTIONThe project’s solution consists of three key components: the establishment of an organizational body, the development of a conceptual website prototype, and an accompanying awareness campaign. BSTO is a Toronto-based non-governmental organization dedicated to bridging the gap between residents in underserved communities and policymakers. It drives mobility advocacy by connecting residents with the tools, resources, and support they need to help create change.
        VISUAL IDENTITY
        Creating a cohesive visual identity system for BSTO was essential in supporting its’ ethos of accessibility. It was crucial to remove distractions that could impact the user experience, therefore the interface is fairly minimal, making information easier to navigate and understand. The modern, brutalist-inspired aesthetic reinforces clarity and professionalism, enabling users to access reports, advocacy tools, and resources effortlessly.

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        @j4s9ine
        LAST UPDATEDFebruary 2025 OFFICEPlanet Earth (Toronto)