Urban Strategies Inc.

Congratulations to the Curtner Class of 2026! 🎉 Over the past 8 months, this incredible cohort of 30 mid Career Professionals came together around the theme of Meeting the Moment - Leading on Opportunity, engaging in powerful sessions, inspiring speakers, and meaningful dialogue. Your curiosity, commitment, and connections made this journey truly special. We can’t wait to see what you do next! Congratulations to this year's participants! Eman Sabour, Mona Al-Sharari, Walied Khogali Ali, Hannah Brown, Tina Dadgostar, Natasha D'Souza, Anna Edwards, Jake Golvin, Jackie Sui Gu, PMP, Mehedi K., @Johnpaul Loiacono, Alexander Manojlovich, Christopher McIntosh, Ruchir Mehrotra, Lara Muldoon, Jack Neal, Peter Pantalone, Julie Scott, P.Eng., Faraz Shapourzadeh, Prianka Smita, Dani Saad, James DiPaolo, Graham Spittal, OAA, Carla Tsang, Victoria Webster, P.Eng, Shannon Woods, Sasitha Athukorala Thank you to BDP Quadrangle! And a big thank you to our Dean Gregg Lintern!! More information on the program: https://lnkd.in/eNw8ZghZ

Great conversation with Ruchita Bansal, of SheCityIndia, on how to turn planning into city building

An exciting step forward for Quayside took place on April 29, 2026.   The Quayside project was brought before the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel, an independent group of leading architects, urban designers, and landscape professionals who provide expert feedback on major public realm and development proposals. The panel unanimously approved several key aspects of the project: Urban Strategies Inc. Quayside Urban Design Guidelines SLA detailed design for the Quayside public realm and Community Forest Henning Larsen Building 1B, featuring affordable and market rental and a private daycare  Teeple Architects and Studio Ormonde’s Block 1C, featuring three City-owned affordable rental buildings with at-grade retail and a community hub Allies and Morrison Building 2, featuring market rental Quayside will be a world-class complete community with phase 1 of the project bringing 1,650 units including 550 affordable homes and abundant green space.    We’re encouraged by the momentum and excited to continue advancing the vision for Quayside as it progresses through it's next stages of development.

Vancouver Community College (VCC) has high-density, transit-oriented development ambitions for the future of its main campus on East Broadway. Thank you Daily Hive for sharing the opportunity for community input on this Urban Strategies Inc. led plan. https://lnkd.in/eBtJ6zeJ

On April 29, the Quayside project had a busy day at Toronto’s Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel, which unanimously approved several key aspects of the project:  Urban Strategies Inc. Quayside Urban Design Guidelines SLA's detailed public realm design for the Quayside and its Community Forest Henning Larsen's Building 1B, featuring affordable and market rental and a private daycare  Teeple Architects Block 1C, featuring three City-owned affordable rental buildings with at-grade retail and a community hub with retail input from Paola Marques Allies and Morrison’s Building 2, featuring market rental and a TTC substation. This powerhouse design team is advancing detailed design of buildings and public spaces to realize Quayside’s first phase of development, which will feature 563 affordable rental units, 1,170 purpose-built rental units, retail and community spaces along Queens Quay, a daycare, and attractive amenities, including SLA designed community forest. The project is planned to be a zero-fossil-fuel, energy-efficient, and inclusive community that meets Waterfront Toronto’s Green Building Requirements and GaGBC Zero Carbon Building standards.  SPA resubmissions are coming soon! Since 2021, the Urban Strategies Inc. team, including me, Benjamin Hoff, Anne Benaroya, and Andrew Toth, has been pleased to support the Dream and Great Gulf team through the complex planning approval process for this transformative multi-phase development, alongside a large project team including architectsAlliance, SLA, Two Row Architects, Henning Larsen, Allies and Morrison, BA Consulting Group Ltd., RWDI, Goodmans LLP, Arcadis, Purpose Building Inc. and many others. And the approvals wouldn't be possible without the City of Toronto Planning team and the Waterfront Secretariat. The Waterfront DRP approval marks a crucial step towards realizing the Quayside vision. This vision combines affordable and market-rate housing, retail spaces, open spaces and community amenities to create a sustainable, accessible community for all.

Urban Strategies Inc. has been working on behalf of Vancouver Community College (VCC) to support the City of Vancouver's process to create new planning policy for the VCC Broadway Campus. The first phase of engagement is underway, and the City wants to hear from you. You can provide your feedback here: https://lnkd.in/gnB5Q3Uz

On April 29, the Quayside project had a busy day at Toronto’s Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel, which unanimously approved several key aspects of the project:  Urban Strategies Inc. Quayside Urban Design Guidelines SLA's detailed public realm design for the Quayside and its Community Forest Henning Larsen's Building 1B, featuring affordable and market rental and a private daycare  Teeple Architects Block 1C, featuring three City-owned affordable rental buildings with at-grade retail and a community hub with retail input from Paola Marques Allies and Morrison’s Building 2, featuring market rental and a TTC substation. This powerhouse design team is advancing detailed design of buildings and public spaces to realize Quayside’s first phase of development, which will feature 563 affordable rental units, 1,170 purpose-built rental units, retail and community spaces along Queens Quay, a daycare, and attractive amenities, including SLA designed community forest. The project is planned to be a zero-fossil-fuel, energy-efficient, and inclusive community that meets Waterfront Toronto’s Green Building Requirements and GaGBC Zero Carbon Building standards.  SPA resubmissions are coming soon! Since 2021, the Urban Strategies Inc. team, including me, Benjamin Hoff, Anne Benaroya, and Andrew Toth, has been pleased to support the Dream and Great Gulf team through the complex planning approval process for this transformative multi-phase development, alongside a large project team including architectsAlliance, SLA, Two Row Architects, Henning Larsen, Allies and Morrison, BA Consulting Group Ltd., RWDI, Goodmans LLP, Arcadis, Purpose Building Inc. and many others. And the approvals wouldn't be possible without the City of Toronto Planning team and the Waterfront Secretariat. The Waterfront DRP approval marks a crucial step towards realizing the Quayside vision. This vision combines affordable and market-rate housing, retail spaces, open spaces and community amenities to create a sustainable, accessible community for all.

We recently hosted a dialogue with new The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada RAIC | L'Institut royal d'architecture du Canada IRAC Fellows Michel Trocme and Eric Turcotte, exploring everything from architecture school and mentorship to #resilience, public life, and collaboration across disciplines. The the real work of an urbanist is helping people navigate change, reconcile competing priorities, and build shared visions for #cities. It is especially meaningful to celebrate two urbanists being inducted into the RAIC College of Fellows, a recognition traditionally associated with #architects and #building design. Their fellowships reflect the importance of #urbanism, #publicspace, and #interdisciplinary thinking in shaping the future of our #communities, in #Canada and internationally. #Congratulations again to Michel and Eric on this well-deserved honour! Read our recap of the conversation here: https://lnkd.in/e7Bfv8Ti

Next week, Strategist and Canadian Institute of Planners Fellow Melanie Hare will be part of a panel speaking at the University of Waterloo School of Planning next week on the #Canada2100. Co-panelists include Glenn Miller, Daniel Leeming and Paul Bedford and Dr. Katherine Perrott. https://lnkd.in/eWDCctHu