Regent Park Revitalization Study - University of Torontofaculty.geog.utoronto.ca/Rankin/CourseOutlines/GGR361H1S_files/Grp... · Regent Park Revitalization Study By: Peter Chung Allan

Regent Park Regent Park Revitalization StudyRevitalization Study

By: Peter ChungBy: Peter ChungAllan ChowAllan ChowMelissa LawlessMelissa LawlessLorena MagallanesLorena Magallanes

IntroductionIntroductionRegent Park is one of the oldest Regent Park is one of the oldest housing developments in Canada.housing developments in Canada.

It is home to 7,500 residents in It is home to 7,500 residents in 2,087 units over the 70 acre 2,087 units over the 70 acre superblocksuperblock..

Development is geared towards low Development is geared towards low income residents.income residents.

Location of Regent ParkLocation of Regent Park

Map.jpg

Map.jpgMap.jpg

History of Regent ParkHistory of Regent ParkBuilt in the 1940Built in the 1940’’s and s and 5050’’s to replace slums.s to replace slums.

The buildings are now The buildings are now obsolete and in serious obsolete and in serious disrepair.disrepair.

Existing through streets Existing through streets were closed off to create were closed off to create a a ““Garden Community.Garden Community.””

History of Regent ParkHistory of Regent ParkLack of through streets isolates the Lack of through streets isolates the area from the rest of the city.area from the rest of the city.

This isolation has created an unsafe This isolation has created an unsafe environment for its residents.environment for its residents.

High Levels of CrimeHigh Levels of Crime

Lack of Police ServicesLack of Police Services

This Has Led To:This Has Led To:

History of Regent ParkHistory of Regent ParkLack of typical services.Lack of typical services.Serviced by one convenience store and one Serviced by one convenience store and one laundromatlaundromat. . Building scheme acts as a gated community for Building scheme acts as a gated community for the poor.the poor.

Redevelopment PlanRedevelopment Plan

Redevelopment PlanRedevelopment PlanAims to create a Aims to create a diversity of building diversity of building types similar to a types similar to a typical typical neighbourhood.neighbourhood.

A variety of mixed A variety of mixed use, mixed income, use, mixed income, housing types will be housing types will be created.created.

Redevelopment PlanRedevelopment Plan

Reintroduces Reintroduces original street original street networks.networks.

Will give Will give residents: residents: ““Eyes on the Eyes on the StreetStreet””

DEBATEDEBATEThe plan will create a successful healthy The plan will create a successful healthy neighbourhood.neighbourhood.

IT WILL HELP:IT WILL HELP:End StigmaEnd StigmaImprove safety and policingImprove safety and policingProvide more facilities, amenities and Provide more facilities, amenities and services and employment opportunitiesservices and employment opportunitiesEnrich diversity Enrich diversity –– through housing, through housing, incomes and cultureincomes and cultureImprove units/buildingsImprove units/buildings

DEBATEDEBATE

CONCERNS:CONCERNS:Not enough public Not enough public housing unitshousing unitsPrivatization and Privatization and GentrificationGentrificationDisplacement of lower Displacement of lower income familiesincome familiesRelocation during Relocation during phasingphasing

The redevelopment will NOT help the The redevelopment will NOT help the current situation of the residents.current situation of the residents.

OUR ARGUMENTOUR ARGUMENTThe redevelopment plan was born out of a The redevelopment plan was born out of a vision vision –– coming from the residents. coming from the residents.

The redevelopment will:The redevelopment will:help prevent crimehelp prevent crimehelp improve safetyhelp improve safetyend stigmatization end stigmatization create a healthy, diverse and vibrant create a healthy, diverse and vibrant community. community.

SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONSCommunity should be fully engaged in Community should be fully engaged in

every step of the processevery step of the processTCHC should explore the opportunity to TCHC should explore the opportunity to

create non profit and cocreate non profit and co--op housingop housingUse the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood as Use the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood as

an examplean example

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

1. In your opinion, can social problems such as 1. In your opinion, can social problems such as crime and drugs be solved by changes to the crime and drugs be solved by changes to the buildings and layout?buildings and layout?

2. There is no question that renovation of 2. There is no question that renovation of Regent Park's housing is long overdue. Regent Park's housing is long overdue. However, do you think that However, do you think that privitizationprivitization will help will help create gentrification and make Regent Park look create gentrification and make Regent Park look like the surrounding like the surrounding neighbourhoodsneighbourhoods??

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

4. The4. The Regent Park redevelopment is Regent Park redevelopment is framed by the idea of community building, framed by the idea of community building, can you see there being a strong can you see there being a strong community in the new development?community in the new development?

5.5. Overall do you think the new Overall do you think the new revitalization plan will be a success?revitalization plan will be a success?