Edited by: Veronika Potylitsina
In Toronto, just as in any city, the metropolitan must find his or her way through a labyrinth of civilians, streets, and structures. With such an overwhelming multifold of possibilities, wayfinding tools are a must. Google Maps, for example, has been my saving grace on numerous occasions—even after four years of living in Toronto. Because I get disoriented and distracted quite easily whilst traveling on foot, this wayfinding tool offers the consistent reassurance that, ‘Even when all hope is lost, Google Maps will always have my back.’ To make matters all the more intricately puzzling, students of University of Toronto, St. George must find their way to class in a city (the university campus) which exists within another city (Toronto). This mise-en-abyme experience has enough names, buildings, room numbers, and floors to make your head spin! New and returning students, alike, may turn to signs, maps, receptionists, and passers-by for this spatial guidance. We run from one class to the next, from the cafeteria to the student lounge, from office hours to residence—the constant hustle-and-bustle of a student demands wayfinding tools to give some sense of direction. However, they detract from the beautiful architecture, and rich history, of the University of Toronto campus (and Toronto in general). How can we make note of nearby cultural and historical sites when our focus is entirely on finding the right routes? In other words, through what means will we take time from our hustling lives to take a historical wayfinding journey of Toronto?
The Toronto in Time app, available for download on iOS or Android devices (and with a website equivalent), was first launched in 2011, as part of the overall series, “Cities in Time” (i.e. see also Vancouver in Time). The app allows for simple and effective exploration of Torontonian history. Through an interactive, technological means, the user learns about notable structures and events of the city. When first accessing the app, it directly navigates you to the ‘Areas’ page. To clarify, what this means is that Toronto in Time acts as a database of short articles, which involve historical events, people, structures, and so on. This information is organized in two different collections, for the user to discover, select, and investigate: ‘Areas’ (i.e. Downtown, Scarborough, Toronto Islands) and ‘Themes’ (i.e. Sport & Leisure, Innovation, First Peoples). Then click on a story to learn more! I suggest you check out the following curious features: ‘Then/Now’ images, pre-established walking trails/tours, and a GPS-connected map—with regards to the third feature, the red markers signify sites with an associated article in the app. Learn and explore more here.
Although there is yet to be a University of Toronto themed trail, I have explored some of the sites residing in/as part of and near the campus: Soldiers’ Tower, Hart House, Queen’s Park, University College, Philosopher’s Walk, and Coach House Institute/McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology. As University of Toronto students, these are fascinating venues we take for granted. We have the opportunity to, say, visit the University College quad, register for a dance class at Hart House, or detour through Philosopher’s Walk to arrive at class on time. In other words, students—including myself—are recognizant of the overall beauty of the university campus; yet, each individual site (and its truly unique story) tends to, more generally, help set the scene for a school with a long-standing, and celebrated, culture and history. For example, I learned that Philosopher’s Walk was once home to Taddle Creek and McCaul’s Pond; Hart House served as an all-male student activities hub until 1972; University College burned down in 1890.
It is true that the University of Toronto can be a solitary experience for many students. This app, however, has encouraged me to engage with the community and actively explore my surroundings; I connected to a past U of T, adding layers of understanding to its present state. The narratives of various sites and structures came to ‘animated’ life—literally (through the app) and figuratively. As we live and learn in a technologically protean society, the app interests and engages, whilst simultaneously educating. The Toronto in Time user need not take a great deal of time out of their hustling day; this app works as an extension of your day, your movement, and your adventures around Toronto.