Projects

Regent Park Revitalization – Phases 4 & 5

Transforming community through the final phases of redevelopment.

The ask: Bousfields was retained to develop a new vision for, and advance, the final phases of the Regent Park Revitalization. The goal was to re-imagine the development plans for these lands, incorporating a broader variety of land uses and community spaces, and achieving significant increases in residential density.

Website
www.rp4and5.ca
Collaborator
Karakusevic Carson Architects
Monumental
ERA Architects
PFS Studio
Client
Toronto Community Housing
Tridel
Location
325 Gerrard Street East, Toronto

Tags:

  • Planning
  • Urban Design
  • Community Engagement

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Team Members

Partner

Partner, Urban Design

Partner

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Images

The Challenge

This master planning initiative will transform the final remaining blocks of 1950s-era social housing in north Regent Park into a vibrant mixed-use community. The project will deliver new TCHC-operated rent-geared-to-income and affordable housing, market housing, commercial and retail uses, community and cultural facilities, and a new Toronto Public Library branch.

Led by Bousfields in partnership with Karakusevic Carson Architects, the ReSet Team was selected by TCHC and Tridel to create a new vision for Phases 4 and 5 through an integrated design process supported by extensive community engagement, as well as to secure the planning approvals to allow for the implementation of the new vision.

Our Solution

Bousfields played a leading role in the planning, urban design, project management, and community engagement for the project. The team prepared key planning documents, including the planning justification report, zoning by-law amendment, and zoning matrix, while coordinating a multidisciplinary consultant team across three time zones. As urban design lead, Bousfields developed conceptual site plans, massing studies, shadow analyses, zoning reviews, 3D visualizations, and Urban Design Guidelines for Phases 4 and 5. The firm also delivered an extensive community engagement program in Regent Park, working with local residents, organizations, and Project Coordinators through workshops, public meetings/Open Houses, school visits, surveys, and online outreach.

The Outcome

The rezoning application for Regent Park Phases 4 and 5 was submitted in April 2022, approved by Toronto City Council in July 2023, and finalized in December 2023 following the dismissal of a third-party appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. The approved vision significantly increased development potential, delivering more than 60% additional residential gross floor area and the number of housing units, including new affordable homes. Allowable building heights increased from 22- to 39-storeys, while increases to non-residential space allow for the accommodation of a wider mix of uses, community facilities, and a new library branch. The plan also introduced new public open spaces and strengthened connections between Regent Park and Cabbagetown.

Regent Park Revitalization – Phases 4 & 5

Toronto Community Housing and Tridel

Address: 325 Gerrard Street East, Toronto

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Emma West

Partner

Planning
416-947-9744x266
ewest@bousfields.ca

Emma is a Partner at Bousfields, having joined the firm in 2015 with eighteen years of experience in urban and environmental planning for the public and private sector clients. Emma has led a broad range of community-building projects in downtown, suburban and rural locations.  As a Registered Professional Planner, her portfolio of work includes projects at all scales from regional plans to site-specific development approvals across Canada and in the Middle East.  Emma has acted as an expert witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal.  In addition to residential and mixed-use developments, Emma has a particular focus on approvals for colleges, universities and health care projects as well as large-scale affordable housing projects.  Emma focuses on collaborative problem solving in her work. She is an active leader in the Urban Land Institute having held and continuing to hold positions locally, in the Americas and globally. 

Projects Include:

Caroline Kim

Partner, Urban Design

Design
416-947-9744x249
ckim@bousfields.ca

Caroline offers a unique perspective to community building, including residential, commercial and mixed use developments.  A licensed Architect with a Master’s Degree in Urban Design and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, her experience in development review at the City of Toronto, combined with her management role for Waterfront Toronto on the Quayside plan, means that Caroline has a unique perspective on development in downtown Toronto and its waterfront. Caroline has provided her expertise to a wide range of development projects, master plans, precinct plans, secondary plans and urban design studies and guidelines for a variety of scales and locations.  Caroline has provided evidence as an expert witness at OLT and is a member of the Mississauga Urban Design Advisory Panel.

Projects Include:

Jocelyn Deeks

Partner

Community Engagement
416-947-9744x284
jdeeks@bousfields.ca

Jocelyn Deeks is a Partner at Bousfields and leads the Community Engagement practice. Jocelyn is a Registered Professional Planner and brings several years of experience working at the intersection of planning, development, and community engagement in the public and private sectors. She has developed and executed stakeholder engagement strategies for some of the GTA’s most complex and challenging development projects. Jocelyn also has experience developing strategic plans for Ontario municipalities.

Jocelyn has a Master in Planning (M.Pl) degree from Queen’s University.  She is a member of the Ontario Professional Planning Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners. She is a regular presenter at conferences including those hosted by the International Association of Public Participation and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, speaks on panels, and enjoys sharing ideas with peers on podcasts. 

Projects Include:

Allison Chewter

Senior Associate

Planning
416-947-9744x402
achewter@bousfields.ca

Allison is a Senior Associate at Bousfields, having joined the firm in February 2017 with a broad range of experience in land use planning, development approvals, land acquisition and feasibility analysis. Allison graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2014 and holds a Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning, with a specialization in land development and urban design. At Bousfields, Allison is involved in a variety of land use planning matters and development projects throughout Toronto, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area.

She is actively involved in the management of various development applications and regularly prepares planning rationale reports and associated studies for Official Plan amendment and rezoning applications, as well as supporting materials for minor variance, consent and site plan approval applications. Allison further applies her knowledge of Ontario’s land use planning system in the preparation of highest and best use reports and the preparation of evidence for expropriation hearings.

Projects Include:

Anna Wynveen

Senior Associate

Planning
416-947-9744x245
awynveen@bousfields.ca

Anna has extensive experience guiding projects and clients through the municipal planning approvals process. Since joining Bousfields, Anna has gained a reputation for her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. She fosters collaboration and builds relationships with both municipal staff and project teams to steer complex projects towards a common goal.

Anna is involved in a wide range of planning projects in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including the preparation of planning rationale reports and other supporting materials for development applications. She also has deputed before the Committee of Adjustment, has presented at community meetings and statutory public meetings, and has prepared evidence for hearings at the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Anna joined Bousfields in 2015 and became an Associate with the firm in 2020. Anna holds a Master of Science degree in Planning from the University of Toronto. She previously earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in history from the University of Western Ontario. Anna is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is a Registered Professional Planner in the Province of Ontario.

Projects Include:

Simone Hodgson

Senior Associate

Community Engagement
416-947-9744x236
shodgson@bousfields.ca

Simone is a Senior Associate at Bousfields and a key member of Bousfields’ Community Engagement Practice. Simone develops, manages, and implements community and stakeholder engagement strategies for private and public sector clients with projects across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Simone is experienced in spearheading and facilitating engagement and communication approaches at a range of scales and using a variety of methods. She is an expert in virtual engagement, including how to use project websites, social media, and other creative means to reach broader and more diverse audiences. Drawing from her experience, Simone aims to generate dynamic approaches to engagement that spark meaningful and constructive dialogue, as well as inspire those who may not traditionally participate to do so.

Simone holds a Master in Urban Planning (MUP) degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design. She has presented at a number of conferences, including the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) North American Conference, Public x Design Conference, and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) Annual Conference. She also holds a Certificate from IAP2 in Foundations in Public Participation.

Projects Include: