New Production in Old Spaces: Deindustrialization and the rise of the micro-enterprise economy in Toronto’s Junction Triangle

Abstract

Pockets of deindustrialized facilities in downtown areas made redundant by the relocation of manufacturing and processing industries can provide built-form opportunities for new economic purposes. Exploratory fieldwork in Toronto’s Junction Triangle neighbourhood reveals a collection of old industrial spaces that have been reclaimed by an assortment of entrepreneurial micro-enterprises that provide replacement employment and economic value. This micro-enterprise economy is elevated by its locational advantage, serving high-end consumption goods, services, and experiences to a gentrified urban population. The mixed-method research findings serve as a case study for the protection of industrial facilities and their potential ongoing role in the urban economy.