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Regent Park Revitalization

- jeeff - Sunday, November 26th, 2006 : goo

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image 17412

www.regentparkplan.ca/

regent park in toronto is canada's oldest and largest community housing project. it is home to a tight-knit community of new immigrants and other low-income residents, but it has also suffered from a number of problems like violence, drugs, and prostitution. the city has decided to tackle these problems, rooted in poverty and social isolation, by redeveloping the neighbourhood.

regent park consists of two sections, north and south, split by dundas street east. the north (circa 1940s) was designed along british "garden city" ideals to encourage low rise development, limit car use, and provide "modern" living arrangements. the south (circa 1950s) contains more high rises. both were considered slum clearance projects, which is an interesting point. they were designed with seemingly good intentions, and yet here we are again. will it work this time?

the new neighbourhood is planned according to new urbanist ideas - mixed-income, mixed-use neighbourhoods, mid-rise buildings studded with taller ones. the new development will include the same number of affordable housing units, also known as rent-geared-to-income units. one big change will be the street layout. people said the existing layout cuts the neighbourhood off from the city. take a look for yourself, and check out the planned solution (from the 'regent park revitalization study'):

image 17416

image 17417

the full study is here: www.regentparkplan.ca/pdfs/revitalization/revitalization_study_full.pdf

i went there today and took some photos of the neighbourhood as it exists now.

image 17413

image 17414

image 17415

the first part to be demolished is in the north section, near dundas and parliament. this is what the remaining buildings look like:

image 17418

image 17419

then i crossed to the south section to take photos of some :

image 17420

image 17421

image 17422

image 17423

image 17424

as i took photos a guy got out of his car and asked me if i was a cop. i said no, and that i was just interested in the murals. he said to watch out, because people would think i was a cop, and told me to have a good day. he also pointed me toward another mural. as i left the neighbourhood i passed one more sign of the times:

image 17425


This article has been viewed 6700 times in the last 57 months


chiamattt: 26th Nov 2006 - 03:21 GMT

it is rather sad when someone tells you to watch out because people might think you are a cop.

Mike Jones: 1st Dec 2006 - 16:29 GMT

I like the photo of the people lounging on the grass. Hopefully that's what it will really turn out like.

anon (localhost): 11th Dec 2006 - 22:16 GMT

The Toronto Free Gallery is having a screening of NFB movies dealing with Regent Park. http://publicspace.ca/streetstoscreens.htm

TB: 24th Dec 2006 - 21:47 GMT

I use to live out on the northside of regent park...and now that its slowly being broken down is totally wrong...i still got homeis out there..and that shit is wrong...they tearing down tha hood..save regent park on da real'

Deb: 21st Jan 2007 - 00:01 GMT

Very well done.

I was raised at River & Dundas throughout the 60's & mid 70's. I can't help but follow the changes that are happening; it's like a part of it is always in the blood, I guess.

You did a great job and I loved your pictures as well. Funny, I remember the windows being changed, as well as the balcony railings. They used to be more like a railing with green, plastic covering over the outside; I should have a picture somewhere. Anyway...obviously I enjoyed it.

Thanks,

Deb

anon (exterior.flemingc.on.ca): 15th May 2007 - 15:39 GMT

i am doin a history reaserch paper in college about regent park
alot of the sites i have found have helped termendously this site inpiticular had alot of little things to fit all the pieces together but always lookin for more

Janelle: 4th Dec 2007 - 21:45 GMT

Jeeff,

Would it be possible to get an update on this? It's been over a year since this post, and I was wondering if you might have any up-to-date photographs available, or at least some follow-up information?

Thank you!

jeeff: 3rd Feb 2008 - 22:40 GMT

janelle,

thanks for the suggestion. i'll try to post an update in the future, and i'll put a link in the comments here.

Katybee, London: 3rd Mar 2008 - 21:01 GMT

My Grandma was born in Sackville st,in 1922. I'm trying to find out what the area was like then. Any ideas?

jeeff: 5th Aug 2008 - 22:48 GMT

for janelle and whoever else was interested in updates, here's a new article on the redevelopment.

jeeff: 5th Aug 2008 - 22:51 GMT

and this is far too late, but if katybee is still around, check out the novel cabbagetown by hugh garner.

Mike's little sister: 9th Oct 2008 - 17:17 GMT

I grew up in Regent Park, almost 18 years there, and left in 1981. I am far away and only have been told about the revitalization.

Lot of sadness and a lot of happiness found too.

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