The Science-Based Archetype comprises employment in establishments in engineering, scientific research and development services, testing laboratories, surveying, and medical equipment and supplies manufacturing.[1] As of 2016, this Archetype represented 65,000 jobs in the GGH. This is a fast-growth Archetype, adding more than 12,000 jobs since 2006, a 23 percent increase.
Table 14: Science-Based Archetype Employment GGH 2006 and 2016
| 2006 | 2016 | Change | % Change |
Science-Based | 52,950 | 64,980 | 12,030 | 22.7 |
Archetypes total | 1,481,595 | 1,459,825 | -21,770 | -1.5 |
Total GGH core employment | 2,300,015 | 2,375,465 | 75,450 | 3.3 |
Total GGH employment | 3,437,935 | 3,710,915 | 272,980 | 7.9 |
Science-based firms are frequently found in suburban locations, especially suburban office parks.[2] In the GGH, concentrations are found in all five of the regional SKIDs (though to a lesser degree in Waterloo). But the GGH also has a significant concentration of Science-Based employment in Downtown Toronto, no doubt representing the presence of large consulting firms, as well as research and development facilities.
As Gregory Spencer notes, Science-based firms locate in suburban office parks because they tend to be larger, multinational, and developing proprietary products.[3] Their production and innovation processes tend to be in-house, rather than inter-firm, thus they rely to a lesser extent on external connections through their urban environment. As well, they can draw upon a skilled labour force in the surrounding suburban residential areas.
The geography of employment change for this Archetype is primarily one of growth, with some areas of job loss. Growth has clustered in Downtown Toronto, as well as the Markham, Airport, and Meadowvale SKIDs, although the other two SKIDs also have some areas of job loss. Other areas of growth include Toronto's inner suburbs, especially at the Highway 427 and QEW interchange, and the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401 interchange. (See Maps 17 and 18.)
Map 17: Science-Based Archetype Employment, GGH, 2016
Map 18: Science-Based Archetype Employment Change, 2006-2016
[1] This Archetype includes employment in NAICS 5413, Architectural, engineering and related services. Although the dominant types of occupation in this industry are engineering and science-related, it also includes architecture and landscape design.
[2] Spencer, "Knowledge neighbourhoods," 2015.
[3] Ibid.