Glossaries

Sometimes the terminology and acronyms used by planners, politicians, developers and others may seem quite unintelligible at first – almost a whole different language. To help you navigate, we’ve compiled some of the best glossaries. If you have found others, let us know!

Development & Planning

• Glossary of Terms – City of Toronto Development Guide -(from the Planning and Development Department, City of Toronto)
• Glossary – City of Toronto Official Plan & Guidelines/Design Guidelines – a concise glossary of architectural and planning terms commonly used in the Official Plan
• City Builder Glossary – from Evergreen (of the Evergreen Brickworks) – a glossary of terms commonly used in discussions of sustainable building
• Glossary – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – all terms in this glossary are from The Living City Policies for Planning and Development in the Watersheds of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (LCP).
• Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan Definitions – a glossary of terms used in the Province of Ontario’s growth plan for the GGH.
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Definitions – a glossary of terms used in the Province of Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement on land use planning
• Glossary of Environmental Assessment terms – Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Website
• Glossary of Acronyms – Neptis Foundation, who conduct and disseminate nonpartisan research, analysis and mapping related to the design and function of Canadian urban regions.
• Growing Cities Glossary – Neptis Foundation
• Your Glossary of City Council Terms – Torontoist
• Glossary from Practice Essentials for Administrative Tribunals (PDF) prepared by the Ombudsman Saskatchewan: Refer to this Glossary for an explanation of terms used by Tribunals (Committee of Adjustment, TLAB, OMB). This glossary is part of Practice Essentials for Administrative Tribunals.

Acronyms