A modified map of Toronto showing descriptions superimposed over downtown neighbourhoods is generating quite a backlash from locals, but its creator is speaking out over the deluge of angry comments.

X user Lily in the City shared a work-in-progress map of Toronto on September 9, labelling downtown neighbourhoods with brief descriptions in place of the names of various areas.

However, it was an update to the project in early October that set off a firestorm of comments and quote tweets slamming the project.

update https://t.co/9NcPfVvvm0 pic.twitter.com/FYDpC4Cxpi

— Lily in the City (@Lily_PolisStan) October 4, 2024

Among the names added for neighbourhoods, the map notes the "condo d*ck measuring contest" that is the Bloor-Yorkville skyline and even sneaks a dig at blogTO into the Entertainment District.

Not everyone was feeling these broad generalizations about local neighbourhoods, and clapped back at the post on X.

"This map reads like a child from Oakville who just moved into their U of T dorm six weeks ago," writes one commenter, suggesting the map's creator should "try visiting the city outside of the downtown subway loop, darling."

Multiple people dragged radio-friendly Hamilton band The Arkells into the conversation with comments like "useful map for people who listen to The Arkells and The Beaches," and "map created for 905ers who loveeee The Arkells."

While some subtly called out the map's lack of representation with digs at 905ers, others were more pointed in their criticism.

One user wrote, "here's the thing: if you do these stupid little maps and don't include anything north of Bloor, east of the DVP or anything remotely ethnic, I don't respect you," a comment that has been well-received with over 900 likes as of writing.

Lily defends the work in a statement to blogTO, arguing that "most negative responses come from people believing that the map is finished, and I'm simply ignoring the east end, Midtown, the Junction, etc."

"I get why people are defensive about that since downtown gets so much attention, but I do live south of Bloor, so I just started with what I'm closest to and branched out."

"Other responses were a lot more hostile though, such as accusing me of being from Hamilton or Barrie, saying that I just moved into a U of T dorm last month, etc. Others accused me of racism by not including Scarborough, or by labelling Chinatown as '70-year-old Chinese ladies.'"

Lily argues that commenters "just took a jokey stereotypes map far too seriously, but misinterpretations like that are pretty common on X."

As for the future of the controversial map, Lily tells blogTO, "I'm going to keep working on the map until it's fully filled in, it's just a fun project for me."

""In short: I was just doing this for fun, people should chill," Lily says.