Bousfields supports our clients early in their decision-making process regarding the acquisition or the sale of land. We prepare due diligence analysis, working with our Urban Design team to prepare massing scenarios and site configuration plans that provide an understanding of what is permitted on the site and what could be achieved through a municipal approvals process. We apply a similar process to support clients undergoing a site selection process so that they can find sites that best meet their needs. Our depth of knowledge means that we provide practical advice on what is possible on a site.
Working as part of a team, our approach to the planning applications process is comprehensive. We provide a professional impartial opinion in planning rationale justification, analyze the context of the proposal through an urban design brief and/or block context plan, provide a summary of the applicable community services and facilities, prepare housing issues reports, and prepare drafts of the applicable instruments including Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments.
Policy review is a critical aspect of our work at Bousfields. We analyze and interpret emerging planning policies and regulations released by municipalities and engage in the preparation of new policies and regulations, ensuring that our clients are well-informed and positioned to make educated decisions about their projects. We stay up-to-date on changes to policies and regulations to provide the most current advice.
Bousfields has long been recognized as being one of the foremost firms for community and subdivision design. From our early work on the planning and development of the Erin Mills Community, we are now responsible for the master planning of many new greenfield and infill communities throughout Ontario.
We create communication channels between clients and community members through stakeholder and public engagement sessions, workshops, open houses, urban design charrettes, visioning sessions, and surveys. We also create dedicated project websites that feature highlights, FAQs, and application materials that provide clarity and a view to the big picture.
Bousfields has a well-respected and dedicated team of experts who provide evidence before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). Our deep understanding of the planning system provides objective, evidence-based analysis to support our clients’ cases.
Project management is a core aspect of our work. We assist our clients with application submission and processing. Our comprehensive project management services ensure that our clients’ projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards of quality. We work closely with our clients throughout the project life cycle, providing regular updates and ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged and informed.
Types of projects that we do:
We have extensive experience in residential and mixed use land use planning and development approvals, providing expert advice and support to our clients in the public and private sectors. Our mixed use work includes a range of building typologies and scales, from tall and mid-rise buildings to low-rise neighbourhoods and from infill developments to large-scale master plans. We work closely with our clients to help them navigate the complex planning and development process, from initial feasibility studies to final approvals.
Bousfields offers comprehensive commercial and employment land use services to our clients in the public and private sectors. We provide expert guidance and support across zoning regulations and land use policies, with consideration for land use compatibility, helping our clients to achieve their development goals.
Bousfields has secured planning approvals for a wide variety of institutional land uses, including schools, post-secondary institutions, community health centres, hospitals, community and recreational facilities and long-term care facilities. We have also participated as part of multi-disciplinary teams in the preparation of master plans for large institutions, including publicly led public-private partnerships.
“We have sessions with urban designers and community engagement specialists where we provide the policy element, they provide their design opinion and thoughts on engagement strategies. We review each other’s work and share consistency throughout the process. That’s something that I can say sets us apart.”
✨Always a highlight of our year: the Bousfields Holiday Party!
Special thank you to: 🗓️Our Goodworks Committee for all the behind the scenes planning 📍 Our venue @waterworksto for hosting us in your awesome space, and 🍽️ @fooddudes for the delicious food
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Big shoutout and thank you to our incredible interns Alley Poon, Myah Sachedina, and Leo Bridgewater wrapped up their internship experiences with us this past week!
Here are some key takeaways they noted from their time with us:
“My eight-month co-op at Bousfields has been everything I hoped for in a final internship! It’s been such a pleasure getting to know everyone, both on Team Lennox and across the firm, and to be part of an environment that values knowledge-sharing and building connections with one another beyond work. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who took the time to teach, support, and get to know me throughout my internship. I’ve been able to reach goals I’d been working towards for a long time, and I truly appreciate the experience. I hope to see everyone again in the future!” - Alley Poon
“My time at Bousfields has been extremely memorable and has helped me grow not only as an individual, but also as a planner. I am very grateful for the team of planners who taught, coached, and believed in me throughout the past 8 months. I’m proud of the goals I’ve accomplished during this time and the hard work that went into achieving them. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey; I’m excited to see where the rest of it takes me.” - Myah Sachedina
“The eight months I have spent with Bousfields has been an extremely memorable experience. Everyone across the firm makes an incredible effort to ensure interns can thrive and challenge themselves throughout the various facets of the industry. It was incredible to work together this year, and I thank everyone across the firm for their support.” - Leo Bridgewater
Over the past couple of weeks, Bousfielders participated in some fun holiday events organized by our Goodworks and DEI Committees:
1. The Bousville Gingerbread Competition, with ‘Raise the Roost’ taking top prize, followed by GIMBY (Gingerbread in my Backyard), and Gingerdale.
2. The First Stop on our BOU Gourmand Series: I’m a Little Hot Crab, where we tried Singaporean chili crab, widely regarded as Singapore’s national seafood dish.
What a great way to start the holiday season off with our Bousfielder family!
Bousfields is proud to be part of a team alongside KPMB Architects, PFS Studio, BA Consulting Group Ltd., Lithos Group Inc., Purpose Building Inc. working on the revitalization of Swansea Mews for Toronto Community Housing. The vision for the revitalization is to create a community that fosters strong connections, growth, identity, and sustainability.
As part of the vision, TCHC will be adding: more affordable housing, higher-quality homes, new community space and amenities, and more open space with improved connections. Visit the link in our bio to learn more!
Images provided by KPMB
Last week, Bousfielders who are involved in the redevelopment of 1-7 Yonge Street, were invited to attend the 100th Floor concrete pouring of the Phase 2 landmark building. This is the first 100 storey building in Canada and we are proud to be a part of the applicant’s Team! Photographed is Partner Kate Cooper celebrating with Founder and CEO of Pinnacle International, Mike De Cotiis, on the 100th Floor. The building will rise to 106 storeys in the coming months.
Bousfields was a proud table sponsor at last night’s @uwpat Annual Dinner. It’s always great to spend an evening with fellow industry colleagues. Thank you to the team of organizers, including our very own @uofwaterloo alum, Melissa Greco!
Go Jays Go!
Bousfielders celebrated the @bluejays last weekend on the road to their American League East Division Title win - and will be rooting them on in their playoff run!
#BlueJays #WANTITALL
Today is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day. It is a day to recognize and reflect on the impacts of the Canadian Residential School System. At the same time, it is a day to celebrate the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their ongoing efforts to revive their cultures and languages.
Our DEI Committee organized a reading and guided discussion at both the Toronto and Hamilton offices, where we read and discussed a chapter from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass”, a book on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, culture, and teachings. It gave Bousfielders the time and space to pause and reflect on their own impact as individuals and professionals, as well as on ways we can progress Reconciliation efforts.
🏆A huge congratulations to the Regent Park Phase 4 & 5 Project Team for winning one of this year’s coveted @ontarioplanners PlanON Vision Awards of Excellence!
Comprising the final two phases of the Regent Park Revitalization, the creation of a new vision for Phases 4 & 5 was initiated through a development partnership between @torontohousing and @tridelcommunities and led by an international, interdisciplinary team led locally by the planners, urban designers and community engagement specialists at Bousfields Inc. Located at the north end of the evolving Regent Park neighbourhood, Phases 4 & 5 represented the final opportunity to maximize the use of this public land for the purposes of providing much needed market and affordable housing, as well as significant community benefits.
Be sure to check out the link in bio to learn more about the team behind the project, as well as the rest of incredible 2025 PlanON Award winners!
Earlier this month, we hosted our annual Values Day, where staff come together for an interactive afternoon focusing on the 5 Bousfields Values: Integrity, Respect, Shared Knowledge, Leadership and Excellence. Thank you to all who helped organize this amazing event, it was a great team building experience and gave us the chance to reconnect with colleagues, learn and have some fun!
We’re happy to announce that another great baseball season has come to an end with the Marlins taking home the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball League championship last weekend! Bousfields couldn’t be more proud to sponsor this amazing team along with the Bantam Champions, The Eagles! Congrats!! @toronto_playgrounds_baseball
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Terry Fox walk/run this past weekend and who donated in support of cancer research! Bousfielders had a lovely walk and run on Sunday at High Park and exceeded the fundraising goal and raised $1,255!
