Race, Space and Place: Exploring Toronto’s Regent Park from a Marxist Perspective

Regent Park, a multi ethnic immigrant community situated in the centre of downtown Toronto, is the poorest neighbourhood in Canada. Using the spatial triadic theory of French Marxist Henri Lefebvre, Vanessa Rosa’s reformulation of his theory and Sherene Razack’s concept of “Place becomes Race”, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Regent Park has become a racially produced space through spatial practice, representations of space and representational spaces. In addition to Lefebvre, the writings of Frederick Engels, Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci and David Harvey will also be examined to put into context the historical significance of the existence of Regent Park in a capitalist society. This paper will analyze why Regent Park was built, who developed it, and who were the original residents. And the conclusion, that Regent Park was produced as a marginalized and racialized space within the periphery of the center, will be discussed.

Race, Space and Place: Exploring Toronto’s Regent Park from a Marxist Perspective

Regent Park, a multi ethnic immigrant community situated in the centre of downtown Toronto, is the poorest neighbourhood in Canada. Using the spatial triadic theory of French Marxist Henri Lefebvre, Vanessa Rosa’s reformulation of his theory and Sherene Razack’s concept of “Place becomes Race”, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Regent Park has become a racially produced space through spatial practice, representations of space and representational spaces. In addition to Lefebvre, the writings of Frederick Engels, Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci and David Harvey will also be examined to put into context the historical significance of the existence of Regent Park in a capitalist society. This paper will analyze why Regent Park was built, who developed it, and who were the original residents. And the conclusion, that Regent Park was produced as a marginalized and racialized space within the periphery of the center, will be discussed.

Justice and the planning process: how far have we come and where are we going?

Justice is a context-dependent, multi-faceted concept that has historically been associated with planning theory. In this paper, the literature surrounding the concept of justice will be explored to understand where the concept of justice has come from, how it has evolved, and how it can be applied to the planning process. In addition, how justice interacts with other critical concepts, such as the law, morality, and ethics, as well as its ability to function within the institutional context will also be assessed. The concept of justice is be applied to the planning process as it occurs in planning practice in an attempt to bridge the theory-practice gap that exists in planning. Using Fainstein’s concept of justice, with her three criteria of equity, diversity, and democracy, the planning process of the two redevelopments of Regent Park is assessed through the lens of justice in an attempt to apply theories of justice to planning practice.

The Myth of Master Planning: More than Urban Design: a Comparative Analysis of the Master-Planned Affordable Housing Developments Stuyvesant Town and Regent Park

This paper explores the role of urban planning policy, urban housing policy, and urban design on master planning. Though master planning as a concept has historically been tied to urban design, this paper argues that this notion is fundamentally flawed, and that urban planning policy and housing policy play an equally important role. This topic is explored through a case study analysis of Stuyvesant Town and Regent Park, master-planned affordable housing projects in New York City and Toronto, Ontario. With a focus on process, policy, and design, this paper will discuss how interpretations of master planning in New York and Toronto influenced the development of both housing projects. A comparative analysis of both projects highlights the multi-faceted nature of master planning, and demonstrate the importance of urban planning policy, housing policy, and urban design ideologies to master planning.

The Myth of Master Planning: More than Urban Design: a Comparative Analysis of the Master-Planned Affordable Housing Developments Stuyvesant Town and Regent Park

This paper explores the role of urban planning policy, urban housing policy, and urban design on master planning. Though master planning as a concept has historically been tied to urban design, this paper argues that this notion is fundamentally flawed, and that urban planning policy and housing policy play an equally important role. This topic is explored through a case study analysis of Stuyvesant Town and Regent Park, master-planned affordable housing projects in New York City and Toronto, Ontario. With a focus on process, policy, and design, this paper will discuss how interpretations of master planning in New York and Toronto influenced the development of both housing projects. A comparative analysis of both projects highlights the multi-faceted nature of master planning, and demonstrate the importance of urban planning policy, housing policy, and urban design ideologies to master planning.

Justice and the planning process: how far have we come and where are we going?

Justice is a context-dependent, multi-faceted concept that has historically been associated with planning theory. In this paper, the literature surrounding the concept of justice will be explored to understand where the concept of justice has come from, how it has evolved, and how it can be applied to the planning process. In addition, how justice interacts with other critical concepts, such as the law, morality, and ethics, as well as its ability to function within the institutional context will also be assessed. The concept of justice is be applied to the planning process as it occurs in planning practice in an attempt to bridge the theory-practice gap that exists in planning. Using Fainstein’s concept of justice, with her three criteria of equity, diversity, and democracy, the planning process of the two redevelopments of Regent Park is assessed through the lens of justice in an attempt to apply theories of justice to planning practice.

Using Credit Scores to Predict and Analyze Areas of Gentrification and Urban Development in Toronto, Canada - a Geo-Spatial Approach

This study examines the use of financial well-being indicators such as credit scores to identify gentrification. This study is a response to the redevelopment of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto through gentrification. This study also explores both theoretical and analytical frameworks outlined in literature to identify correlations between financial wellbeing indicators and gentrification. Comparing the observations in this study to areas experience gentrification such as Regent Park revealed large implications that gentrification is largely associated with financial wellbeing. The study also found that the average credit scores in the City of Toronto seem to be increasing. The analysis determined that the credit score changes reflected the development in the Regent Park development zone. Key words: Gentrification, credit scores, spatial analysis, urban development

Using Credit Scores to Predict and Analyze Areas of Gentrification and Urban Development in Toronto, Canada - a Geo-Spatial Approach

This study examines the use of financial well-being indicators such as credit scores to identify gentrification. This study is a response to the redevelopment of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto through gentrification. This study also explores both theoretical and analytical frameworks outlined in literature to identify correlations between financial wellbeing indicators and gentrification. Comparing the observations in this study to areas experience gentrification such as Regent Park revealed large implications that gentrification is largely associated with financial wellbeing. The study also found that the average credit scores in the City of Toronto seem to be increasing. The analysis determined that the credit score changes reflected the development in the Regent Park development zone. Key words: Gentrification, credit scores, spatial analysis, urban development

A new look at Korean Canadians and the immigrant experience in Toronto as explored in Canadian media: CBC’s Kim’s Convenience

CBC’s Kim’s Convenience (2016) is a play by Ins Choi that was adapted into a TV show in October 2016. This show focuses on a Korean–Canadian family and their convenience store situated locally in Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario. The show speaks to the immigrant experience and life in Canada as described through first generation parents, and second-generation Korean Canadian children. This MRP will analyze the ways in which stereotypes are presented in Kim’s Convenience to subvert naturalized dominant negative discourses and tropes of racialized bodies, while simultaneously being used as a tool to produce counternarratives. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a methodological tool, this paper will explore the use of stereotypes in the portrayal of racialized accents, intergenerational conflicts, intercultural relationships, and the use of Regent Park as a setting for the show.

A new look at Korean Canadians and the immigrant experience in Toronto as explored in Canadian media: CBC’s Kim’s Convenience

CBC’s Kim’s Convenience (2016) is a play by Ins Choi that was adapted into a TV show in October 2016. This show focuses on a Korean–Canadian family and their convenience store situated locally in Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario. The show speaks to the immigrant experience and life in Canada as described through first generation parents, and second-generation Korean Canadian children. This MRP will analyze the ways in which stereotypes are presented in Kim’s Convenience to subvert naturalized dominant negative discourses and tropes of racialized bodies, while simultaneously being used as a tool to produce counternarratives. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a methodological tool, this paper will explore the use of stereotypes in the portrayal of racialized accents, intergenerational conflicts, intercultural relationships, and the use of Regent Park as a setting for the show.