Starting with the simple proposition that a vision for community-building should be based on more than “housing and real estate,” the plan and principles for the vision that drove the revitalization of Toronto’s Regent Park were developed collaboratively and painstakingly over several years: the reimagined community should have connected streets and significant park space; there should be diversity in built form; residents should have opportunities for economic development and be able to pursue their education without travelling outside of the community; the redevelopment scheme should be predicated on a defensible financial plan; the strategy for tenant relocation should follow agreed upon principles of fairness and efficiency; oversight of the redevelopment should be entrepreneurial in nature and involve the private sector.
While progress has not been problem-free, the vision for Regent Park as a mixed-income community is gearing up to enter its third phase, led by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), the Daniels Corporation and many community partners. The revitalized neighbourhood boasts commercial facilities, parks, an arts and cultural centre, an aquatic centre, and the Daniels Centre of Learning which, in collaboration with George Brown College, provides learning, training and employment opportunities for residents. At the end of Phase Two, there will be upwards of 12,000 residents living in a blend of rent-geared-to-income apartments, affordable rental and home ownership units as well market housing. What are the lessons that can be learned after a decade of rebuilding and are they transferable to other parts of the city and region?
Join a panel of experts as they discuss these questions, look over the past 10 years of revitalization and towards the next phase and consider recent success stories. The event takes place on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 7:30am to 11:00am in the Cara Commons Room on the 7th floor of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, located at 55 Dundas Street West in Toronto.
The session chair is John Fox, Partner of Robins Appleby Taub LLP, and talks/panellists include the following: Developing the Vision by John Gladki, FCIP, RPP, Principal, Gladki Planning Inc.; Implementing the Plan by Remo Agostino, M.Sc.Pl., MCIP, RPP, Director of Development, The Daniels Corporation; Fulfilling the Social Contract by Tim Jones, President and CEO, Artscape and Adonis Huggins, Executive Director, Regent Park Focus; and Transferring the Knowledge by an individual from the Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
Breakfast and registration open at 7:30am, the session begins at 8:00am. The cost for members is $95 and non-member $130.
The deadline for registration is end of day on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Please register online at http://ulsregent.eventbrite.com.