Investigating the North York Centre’s Influence on East Willowdale
Noise Impact Analysis — Methodology
As part of Park & Willow Urban Studio’s ongoing research into livability and environmental comfort in intensifying urban cores, this project examines the potential noise impacts of major intersections located within and near the North York Centre Secondary Plan Area. The aim is to understand how sound generated in this mixed-use, high-density zone may extend into the surrounding neighborhood, particularly East Willowdale.
Data Collection
Noise data was collected using the Decibel X mobile application, which provides real-time, approximate measurements of ambient sound levels in decibels (dB). A series of intersections within and adjacent to North York Centre were selected based on their urban form, transit activity, and potential to contribute to background noise.
For each location:
Measurements were taken during AM Peak and PM Peak periods on weekdays to reflect typical commuter and traffic activity.
Each session lasted approximately 2–3 minutes, allowing the app to capture variability in passing vehicles, buses, and other street-level noise sources.
The primary metric recorded was the Average Sound Level a time-averaged decibel value that accounts for fluctuations in sound.
Peak decibel values were noted as supplementary context but were not used for mapping or buffer analysis.
Observational notes were taken in the field, documenting contextual factors such as nearby transit stops, construction activity, or unique site conditions that may have influenced readings.
Data Processing and Mapping
To spatially interpret the potential impact of noise on the surrounding neighborhood:
Intersections were classified into three groups based on their average decibel level:
Group 1 (70–75 dB)
Group 2 (75–80 dB)
Group 3 (80+ dB)
The distances for each group were as follows:
70–75 dB: Buffers at 20m, 40m, 80m
75–80 dB: Buffers at 25m, 50m, 100m
80+ dB: Buffers at 30m, 60m, 120m
These distances were adapted from the acoustic principle that sound intensity decreases by approximately 6 dB with each doubling of distance (the Inverse Square Law). However, to better visualize the reach of noise into the surrounding urban fabric particularly residential blocks the buffer zones were intentionally expanded beyond pure acoustic modeling to provide more meaningful spatial insight.
Each buffer zone represents a generalized zone of influence, with the innermost ring reflecting the highest exposure, and outer rings showing reduced but still perceptible noise presence.
Limitations and Considerations
As a self-directed project using field-based mobile tools, several limitations must be acknowledged:
Environmental conditions such as wind, temperature, humidity, and surface materials were not measured or controlled.
Built environment factors, including tall buildings that reflect or absorb sound, vegetation, and pavement types, were not included in the buffer modeling.
The data represents short-term field samples, not long-term monitored averages or seasonal variations.
The Decibel X app, while widely used for environmental field research, does not replace certified sound meters or lab-calibrated instruments.
Noise buffers were constructed using Euclidean (straight-line) distance, not accounting for the actual directionality or obstructions in sound propagation.
Data collection was limited to weekdays, excluding possible variations during weekends or special events.
These limitations are acknowledged openly to present the results with transparency. The intention is not to provide exact noise boundaries, but to support early-stage analysis, spatial thinking, and potential policy conversations around comfort and environmental quality in the North York Centre area.
Findings and Interpretations
The data collected across twelve intersections in and around the North York Centre Secondary Plan Area shows a consistent presence of elevated noise levels during both AM and PM peak periods. Intersections directly along Yonge Street, particularly at major crossings such as Sheppard, Elmwood, and Doris, recorded the highest average decibel values — often exceeding 80 dB during at least one peak time.
In contrast, intersections located slightly off the main corridor, such as those along Doris Avenue, generally showed lower noise levels, though most still exceeded 70 dB. While some intersections demonstrated slightly higher readings during the AM peak (e.g., Doris & Church), others showed elevated levels in the PM (e.g., Yonge & Doris), reflecting localized differences in traffic and transit activity.
Overall, the dataset suggests measurable variation between locations and times of day, with certain intersections emerging as persistent high-noise zones in both peak periods.
Conclusion and Reflections
This project began with the expectation that the intensification of the North York Centre Secondary Plan area would have a strong and potentially disruptive noise impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods like East Willowdale. That assumption reflects a broader concern often held in suburban communities in Toronto: that large-scale development will inevitably erode the quiet, stable character of established neighborhoods.
However, the results of this analysis offered a different perspective. The data collected during peak commuting hours revealed that, while noise levels are elevated in key intersections along Yonge Street, their influence fades rapidly as one moves into the neighborhood interior. In most cases, the levels measured were not particularly disruptive or harmful, even in areas expected to be most affected.
One possible explanation lies in the design of the surrounding urban environment. The presence of parks, street trees, landscaped buffers, and well-positioned high-rise buildings may be playing a significant role in absorbing, reflecting, or containing sound. The careful layout of towers, mid-rise buildings, and open spaces in North York Centre likely helps minimize the reach of environmental noise into adjacent residential zones. These elements aren’t just passive features they reflect a planning approach that anticipates impact and integrates mitigation.
While this study is based on limited, short-term field data, it challenges the assumption that all intensification leads to environmental disruption. In this case, the combination of thoughtful planning, open space integration, and vertical form appears to be working in East Willowdale’s favor. Small-scale, field-based urban analysis like this can provide valuable insights that bridge the gap between policy assumptions and everyday urban experience.
