CFD + Wind Tunnel Assessments for Planning, Zoning, OPA, ZBA, and SPA Submissions
Gnobi Consulting Inc. provides industry-leading Pedestrian Wind Studies for development applications across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Our team combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Wind Tunnel Testing, and microclimate engineering expertise to evaluate pedestrian comfort and safety for new developments.
Our assessments support all required planning submissions, including:
Site Plan Applications (SPA)
Official Plan Amendments (OPA)
Zoning By-Law Amendments (ZBA)
Urban Design Studies
Tall Building Guidelines Compliance
Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) proceedings
Toronto’s planning department requires a pedestrian wind assessment for developments that may modify wind flow at grade or on elevated amenity spaces, including:
Mid-rise and high-rise buildings
Large podium configurations
Tower additions
Major renovations
New mixed-use developments
Institutional and commercial projects
A properly executed wind study ensures the design promotes comfortable, safe, and functional outdoor spaces for residents, visitors, and the public.
1. CFD Modelling
We perform detailed CFD simulations using industry-standard models to assess wind speeds at sensitive locations:
Main entrances
Building corners
Sidewalks and pathways
Outdoor amenity terraces
Rooftop areas
Transit stops
Retail frontages
Landscaped zones
Outputs include:
Wind speed contours
Seasonal comfort exceedance maps
Identification of hotspots
Localized wind mitigation requirements
For complex or tall developments, we provide Wind Tunnel Testing through accredited facilities.
This method offers highly accurate pedestrian-level measurements and supports major planning applications and OLT hearings.
We evaluate pedestrian wind comfort using the wind criteria specified in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the municipality in which the study is being conducted. Each city or region may have its own comfort thresholds and classification system—for example:
City of Toronto Pedestrian Level Wind Study Terms of Reference
City of Mississauga Wind Study Requirements
City of Vaughan Wind Guidelines
City of Markham, Richmond Hill, and other GTA municipalities
Although many criteria are similar, each municipality may require specific seasonal thresholds, exceedance limits, or comfort categories.
Typical comfort categories include:
Sitting
Standing
Strolling
Walking
We provide practical, architectural, and landscape-based solutions:
Canopies & overhangs
Wind screens
Corner features
Podium adjustments
Vertical fins
Recessed entrances
Landscaping enhancements
Parapet height adjustments
Localized shielding elements
All mitigation strategies are tailored to maintain design intent while achieving required comfort performance.
1178 Royal York Road, Toronto — CFD Pedestrian Wind Study
2600 Don Mills Road, Toronto — Wind Tunnel Study
Avenue & Balmoral, Toronto — CFD Pedestrian Wind Study
325 Kingston Road, Pickering — CFD Pedestrian Wind Study
130 Doughton Road, Vaughan — CFD Pedestrian Wind Study
137 Steeles Avenue West, Brampton — Wind Tunnel Study
6605 Hurontario Street, Brampton — CFD Pedestrian Wind Study
Our wind study reports include:
Full CFD simulation or Wind Tunnel Test results
Seasonal comfort maps
Hotspot identification
Mitigation recommendations
Compliance statements for planning
Revised assessments after design changes
Coordination-ready figures for Urban Design submissions
We work with clients in:
Toronto
Mississauga
Brampton
Vaughan
Markham
Richmond Hill
Etobicoke
Scarborough
North York
Pickering
Oshawa
Burlington
Hamilton
We deliver fast turnaround, accurate results, and planning-ready reports.
Contact us today to request a proposal:
📧 contact@gnobiconsulting.com
📞 (226) 343-0728
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