TRACK 1, DAY 1
Building Capacity to Scale up GI Implementation for a More Resilient Toronto
Yusra Sani, Niloufar Mohajerani, and Adriana Gomez, City of Toronto
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Hall A
ABSTRACT
The presentation will provide an overview on how the City of Toronto is working on a training curriculum and tools to build capacity across the capital delivery Divisions of the City of Toronto to design and build Green Infrastructure (GI) within the road Right-of-Way (ROW).
Implementation of GI is recognized by City Council as an initiative that can help with building resiliency by managing stormwater, reducing the heat island effect, improving air quality and many other benefits such as health and well being. To be effective, GI facilities must be installed in sufficient numbers and at strategic locations across the City.
This presentation describes how the City initiated the Green Streets program from development of standard drawings, guidelines and GI pilot projects to a transition phase where design and construction trainings and tools are provided to staff so that GI can be implemented as part of capital projects for a more resilient ROW.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Yusra Sani, City of Toronto
Yusra Sani is a Project Manager at the City of Toronto. She has her B. Eng. in Civil Engineering. She works with the Stormwater Management Unit, with a focus on Green Infrastructure. Yusra is currently working on supporting the City by implementing Green Infrastructure in the ROW. Her current project has up to 20 locations across Toronto in which GI will be constructed, along with other stormwater management techniques.
Nilou Mohajerani, City of Toronto
Nilou Mohajerani is a Senior Engineer at the City of Toronto. She is a chemical engineer and has her professional engineering license. She works with the Stormwater Management Unit, with a focus on Green Infrastructure. She has worked for the City for over 12 years and has delivered several successful GI projects.
Adriana Gomez, City of Toronto
Adriana Gomez, P.Eng., RPP., is currently leading the design and construction of 23 LID projects within the Right of Way across Toronto. She is also leading the development of LID Design and Inspection Guides and Training Materials to build the capacity of City staff in LID delivery.
Previously, as a Supervisor, Sustainable Communities at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), she led the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Action Program (SNAP) across York, Peel, Toronto and Durham. Through SNAP, she led the development and implementation of climate resilience and mitigation plans in 11 neighbourhoods. The comprehensive plans included public realm greening and renewal, as well as home and tower retrofit programs, and green force development.