We are problem solvers who can help achieve successful outcomes for the full range of urban opportunities.
Urban Strategies® has always balanced public and private sector work and taken a strategic approach to city building.
What we do:
- Master Planning
- Urban Design Guidelines
- Urban Transportation
- Downtown Revitalization
- Visioning
- Regional Growth Management
- Waterfront Master Planning
- Sustainable Community Planning and Design
- Engagement / Consultation
- Campus Planning (colleges, hospitals, institutions)
- Parks and Open Space Planning
- Green Cities
- City Management / Smart Cities
- Brownfield Regeneration
- New Community Plans
- Community Planning
- Due Diligence
- Development Strategy and Approvals
- Mid-sized City Strategies
- Plans of Subdivision
- Policy Analysis
- Competition Management
- Model Making
- 3D Renderings and Animation
- Shadow Studies
- Site Analysis & Regulatory Review
- Expert Testimony
- Zoning By-Laws & Official Plans
To inquire about working with Urban Strategies on a project, please contact Mary Castel, our Marketing Director.
How we’re different:
We are focused exclusively on communities, cities and regions of all sizes. Individually, we each have a passion for different aspects of city-building, such as TOD, planning policy, campuses, waterfronts, public engagement — but these are overlapping interests. We work to put them together.
Tackling complex issues
Cities are complicated. We lead complex projects in cities all over the world. Clients benefit from fresh eyes and understanding of global best practices, with no preconceived approach or end solutions envisioned. We try and make the complicated simple.
What we don’t do:
We are strategists first. While our staff includes architects and landscape architects, we do not practice architecture or landscape architecture. Our focus on the larger strategic picture means we can see the forest for the trees. Our plans identify a set of city-building elements that collectively and incrementally work together to catalyze change.
Acknowledgement:
Urban Strategies would like to acknowledge that we are hosted on the lands of Huron-Wendat, Petun, Seneca, Mississaugas of the Credit, Erie, Neutral, Haudenosaunee, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh (Squamish), and Selí̓lw̓ itulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations on which we learn, work and meet every day. As a firm, we believe it is important for us to acknowledge these lands, their history and the enduring legacy of all First Nations, Metis and Inuit people – particularly given how the work that we do is so closely connected to the land. We think it is important for all of us, now more than ever, to recognize, reflect on, and challenge the role that settler colonialism plays in how our communities are planned, built and governed.
History
Since the beginning our goals have been to work hard, have fun, and create better urban environments.
What started as a small partnership in 1986 has grown over three decades, into a firm with 65+ staff and an international portfolio. Read about our evolving leadership.
The firm planted some of the first seeds of the ongoing urban renaissance in North America and the UK with groundbreaking studies on downtown living, intensification and urban regeneration. We also guided many landmark developments in Toronto and beyond. Today, Urban Strategies® continues to build on its international reputation as it takes on a diversity of urban challenges across North America and abroad.
Awards & Recognition
Since its founding in 1986, Urban Strategies has been recognized with over 100 awards from local, national and international organizations.
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2022
World Architecture Festival(WAF) Future Project Award in Master Planning
Downsview
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2022
Heritage Toronto Awards in Built Heritage, Adaptive Reuse
Waterworks
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2022
AIA Canada Citation: Urban Design
Mirvish Village
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2021
Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence, Master Planning
Punggol Town Master Plan
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2021
Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence, Master Planning
Alexandra Park Revitalization Master Plan
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2021
Urban Land Institute Americas Awards for Excellence, Master Planning
Alexandra Park Revitalization Master Plan
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2021
Michigan Association of Planning Outstanding Economic Development and Planning Award, Planning and Analysis
East Warren Cadieux Framework Plan
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2021
Michigan Association of Landscape Architects Merit Award Planning and Analysis, Planning and Analysis
East Warren Cadieux Framework Plan
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2020
Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Merit: Healthy Communities
Port Credit West Village (Brightwater)
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2019
Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence, Urban Design
Mirvish Village
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2018
SCUP Excellence In Planning for an Existing Campus (Merit)
Princeton University Campus Plan
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2018
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Barbados Physical Development Plan Amendment
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2018
Canadian Institute of Planners Merit Award
Growing Up: Planning for Children in New Vertical Communities
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2017
Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence, Recreation Planning
Britannia Farm Master Plan Refresh
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2017
Alberta Professional Planner Institute Award of Planning Merit
Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Growth Plan
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2017
Canadian Institute of Planning Excellence in Urban Design
Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Growth Plan
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2016
Royal Canadian Architectural Institute Certificate of Merit, Urban Design Plans
University of Ottawa Campus Master Plan
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2016
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects National Award of Excellence for Planning & Analysis
University of Ottawa Campus Master Plan
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2015
Ottawa Urban Design Award of Merit: Visions and Master Plans
University of Ottawa Campus Master Plan
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2015
City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Merit, Private Buildings in Context – Mid-Rise Category
B Street Condominium Development
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2015
Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of Excellence in Urban Design
Queen's University Campus Master Plan
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2014
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award for Excellence in Planning: Urban/Community Design
Humbertown Master Plan
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2014
Canadian Urban Institute Brownie Awards - REBUILD Excellence in Project Development: Building Scale
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare
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2014
Waterfront Center - Excellence on the Waterfront Awards
Punggol: The Sustainable Waterfront Town in the Tropics
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2014
Alberta Professional Planners Institute Award of Merit
McKernan-Belgravia Station Area Redevelopment Plan
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2014
Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Awards
Special Categories - Bidadari Estate Master Plan
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2014
Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of Excellence Merit Award in Sustainable Mobility Transportation & Infrastructure
Complete Streets for Niagara
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2014
Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of Excellence Neighbourhood Planning
Alexandra Park Revitalization Plan
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2014
Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of Excellence City & Regional Planning
Waterloo Region Central Transit Corridor
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2014
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada National Urban Design Awards Certificate of Merit Urban Design Plans
Region of Waterloo Central Transit Corridor – Community Building Strategy
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2014
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Regional Merit Award
Orillia Downtown & Waterfront Revitalization Plan
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2013
Canadian Architect Award of Excellence
Casey House Municipal Approvals
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2013
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award for Excellence in Planning: Municipal Statutory Planning Studies, Reports & Documents
Downtown Guelph Secondary Plan
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2013
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award for Excellence in Planning: Research/New Directions
Downtown Toronto Tall Buildings Study
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2013
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award for Excellence in Planning:Urban and Community Design
University of Guelph Campus Master Plan
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2013
Canadian Institute of Planning Excellence Merit Awards Rural/Small Town Planning
Orillia Downtown Tomorrow
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2013
Canadian Institute of Planners Planning Excellence Merit Awards Urban Design
Eglinton Crosstown Design Framework
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2012
Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence in Planning Publications
Transit-Supportive Guidelines for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation
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2012
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award of Excellence Communications/Public Education
Transit-Supportive Guidelines for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation
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2012
Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Willis Award for Innovation
Plan SJ - Saint John’s New Municipal Plan, City of Saint John, NB
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2012
Canadian Institute of Planners Honourable Mention City and Regional Planning
Plan SJ - Saint John’s New Municipal Plan, City of Saint John, NB
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2012
Canadian Institute of Planners, Honourable Mention, Neighbourhood Planning
Downtown Sudbury Master Plan & Action Strategy
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2012
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Award of Merit
Public Space and Streetscape Master Plan for Etobicoke Centre
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2011
Planning Institute of British Columbia Award for Small Town & Rural Planning
Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy
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2011
Alberta Urban Municipal Association Innovator Communities Award
City of Red Deer Environmental Master Plan
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2011
Atlantic Planners Institute Award for Excellence, Physical Plan & Design
Eastern Gateway Waterfront Master Plan, Charlottetown, PEI
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2010
U.S. International Film & Video Festival Award, Certificate for Creative Excellence
Vaughan Tomorrow: A Vision for Transformation
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2010
Canadian Socienty of Landscape Architects National Honour Award in Planning & Analysis
Ottawa Escarpment Area District Plan, Ontario
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2010
Society of American Architects Medallion of Honor for Design Excellence
Brooklyn Bridge Park
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2010
Society of Registered American Architects, Medallion of Honour
Brooklyn Bridge Park
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2010
Ontario Professional Planners Award for Excellence in Planning
The Plan for Kerr Village, Oakville
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2009
Canadian Institute of Planners Award in Neighbourhood Planning - Honourable Mention
Bridgepoint Health Master Plan
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2009
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence in Planning Studies
Brantford Downtown Vision & Masterplan
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2009
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Award fro Communications and Public Education
Vaughan Tomorrow: A Vision for Transformation
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2009
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Planning Studies/Reports Award
Ottawa Escarpment Area District Plan
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2009
Heart & Stroke Foundation Healthy Communities Award
Ottawa Escarpment Area District Plan
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2009
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
The Big Move Regional Transit Plan, Metrolinx
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2009
American Planning Association New York State Chapter, Award of Excellence for Comprehensive Planning
Cornell Comprehensive Campus Master Plan
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2009
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Award - Regional Honour
Cornell Comprehensive Campus Master Plan
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2008
Design Exchange Award of Excellence in Urban Design
Cornell Comprehensive Campus Master Plan
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2008
Niagara Community Design Award for Policy and Plans
The Queenston Secondary Plan, Niagara-on-th-Lake
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2008
Urban Land Institute Global Award for Excellence
National Ballet School of Canada & Radio City
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2008
Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence for Neighbourhood Planning
The City of Saint Paul Central Corridor Development Strategy
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2008
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Excellence for Planning in Urban Design
St. Louis Gateway Mall
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2007
City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence
National Ballet School of Canada & Radio City
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2007
American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter, Honor Award
The City of Saint Paul Central Corridor Development Strategy
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2007
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Excellence
King Edward Precinct Strategy, University of Ottawa Campus Master Plan
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2007
Greater Toronto Homebuilders/Urban Development Institute Low Rise Project of the Year
Don Mount Court Redevelopment
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2007
American Planning Association Daniel Burnham Award
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
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2007
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
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2007
Canadian Institute of Planners Leonard Gertler Award of Distinction
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
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2007
Canadian Institute of Planners Award
Lower Don Vally Vision & Master Plan, Sheffield
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2007
American Planning Association Public Outreach Award
Youngstown Ohio Vision
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2004
American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence for Planning and Analysis
Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Stragegy 2020
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2006
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Award for Planning and Analysis
Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Stragegy 2020
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2006
Canadian Institute of Planners Award
Canada's Capital: Core Area Sector Plan
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2006
London Planning Award
Silvertown Quays Masterplan and Design Code
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2005
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Silvertown Quays Masterplan and Design Code
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2005
Waterfront Center Honor Award
Silvertown Quays Masterplan and Design Code
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2005
American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter, Outstanding Planning Award
Niagara Falls Strategic Master Plan
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2005
City of Toronto Urban Design Award for Visions & Masterplans - Honourable Mention
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
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2004
Canadian Institute of Planners Paul Bedford Award for Planning Excellence
Saint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan and Implementation Strategy
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2004
Canadian Institute of Planners Excellence in Planning Award
CAMH Master Plan
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2004
Canadian Institute of Planners Paul Bedford Award for Planning Excellence
CAMH Master Plan
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2003
Congress for New Urbanism Charter Award
Sarasota 2050 (with Glatting Jackson)
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2003
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Transformation AGO Open House
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2003
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Brock University Campus Plan
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2002
Canadian Institute of Planners Peter Bloodoff Award for Planning Excellence
Making Waves: Principles for Building Toronto's Waterfront
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2001
Canadian Institute of Planners Central District Outstanding Planning Award & Provincial Professional Merit Award
Reinvesting in Toronto: What the Competition is Doing
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2001
Canadian Institute of Planners Excellence in Planning Award
Vision for the Redevelopment of the Queen Street Site, CAMH
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2001
City of Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Award of Excellence
University of Toronto Open Space Master Plan
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2001
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects National and Regional Merit Award
University of Toronto Open Space Master Plan
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2001
American Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award
University of Toronto Open Space Master Plan
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2000
American Planning Association Outstanding Planning Award for a Special Community Initiative
The Learning Corridor, Harford, Connecticut
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2000
City of Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Award
Toronto Waterfront Plan
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2000
American Planning Association South Carolina Chapter, Outstanding Planning Project Award
Charleston Downtown Plan
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2000
American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award
St. Louis Downtown Plan
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1999
Canadian Institute of Planners International Grand Prize for Excellence
Environmental Management and Land Use Planning for Sustainable Development, Barbados
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1999
American Society of Landscape Architects Planning Honor Award
The Barbados National Park Plan, Barbados
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1999
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Provinicial Professional Merit Award
Canada Life Assurance Head Office Campus Master Plan, Toronto
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1998
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Central District, Outstanding Planning Award
Oakville Uptown Core, Oakville, Ontario
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1997
Waterfront Center Top Honor for Excellence on the Waterfront Award
Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, St. Paul, Minnesota
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1997
American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter, Distinguished Planning Project Award
Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, St. Paul, Minnesota
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1996
Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence
Making Choices: Guidelines for Alternative Development Standards
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1995
Credit Valley Conservation Authority Merit Award
Montgomery Village, Orangeville, Ontario
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1994
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Honour Award for Planning Excellence
England Peel Regional Structure Study, Ontario
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1994
Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Honour Award for Planning Excellence
Speke-Garston Regeneration Plan, Liverpool
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1994
Toronto Arts Award for Architecture and Design
Toronto Arts Award for Architecture and Design
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1993
Canadian Institute of Planners Honourable Mention for Planning Excellence
University of Waterloo Campus Master Plan, Ontario
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1993
Canadian Architect Award
Faubourg Quebec Community Plan, Montreal
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1993
Progressive Architecture Citation
Guidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
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1993
American Institute of Planners Outstanding Planning Award
Guidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
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1992
Canadian Institute of Planners Honour Award
Guidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
Clients
Municipalities
- City of Brantford, Ontario
- City of Buffalo, New York
- City of Calgary, Alberta
- City of Charleston, South Carolina
- City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- City of Corner Brook, Newfoundland
- City of Edmonton, Alberta
- City of Guelph, Ontario
- City of Hamilton, Ontario
- City of Kingston, Ontario
- City of Kitchener, Ontario
- City of Mississauga, Ontario
- City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
- City of Ottawa, Ontario
- City of Port Colborne, Ontario
- City of Red Deer, Alberta
- City of Rochester, New York
- City of Salford, U.K.
- City of St. Catharines, Ontario
- City of Saint John, New Brunswick
- City of Saint Paul, Minnesota
- City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- City of Sheffield, U.K.
- City of Toronto, Ontario
- City of Vancouver, British Columbia
- City of Vaughan, Ontario
- City of Youngstown, Ohio
- Comox Valley Regional District, BC
- Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
- Liverpool City Council, U.K.
- Manchester City Council, U.K.
- Municipality of Clarington, Ontario
- Region of Durham, Ontario
- Region of Halton, Ontario
- Region of Peel, Ontario
- Region of Waterloo, Ontario
- Region of York, Ontario
- Town of Caledon, Ontario
- Town of Markham, Ontario
- Town of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
- Town of Oakville, Ontario
- Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Town of Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Governments and Agencies
- Build Toronto
- Canada Lands Company
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- Charlottetown Area Development Corporation
- Connecticut Capital Region Growth Council
- Connecticut Department of Economics and Community Development
- Detroit Greater Downtown Partnership
- Exhibition Place, Toronto
- Government of the Bahamas
- Government of Barbados
- Government of Canada
- Government of Puerto Rico
- Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, New York
- Hamilton Port Authority
- Hartford Downtown Council, Connecticut
- Infrastructure Ontario
- Manchester Airport Group
- Metrolinx
- National Capital Commission, Ottawa
- New Center Area Council, Detroit
- New East Manchester, U.K.
- NRCan
- Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Province de Québec
- Saint John Waterfront Development Corporation
- Singapore Housing Development Board
- Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation
- Toronto District School Board
- Toronto Parking Authority
- Toronto Port Authority
- Toronto Transit Commission
- Waterfront Toronto
Institutions
- Aga Khan Development Network
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Bridgepoint Health, Toronto
- Brock University, St. Catharines
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
- Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
- Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland
- Gateway Foundation, St. Louis
- Georgian College, Barrie
- Gray Bruce Regional Health
- Humber River Regional Hospital, Toronto
- Kensington Health Centre, Toronto
- MaRS Discovery District, Toronto
- McMaster University, Hamilton
- Nature Conservancy of Canada
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health
- Queen’s University, Kingston
- Ramapo College
- Sheridan College, Brampton
- Toronto East General Hospital
- Trinity College, Hartford
- U.K. National Health Service Trust, South West London & St. George’s Mental Health, NHS Trust
- University of Guelph
- University of Oshawa Institute of Technology
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Western Ontario
- University of Waterloo
- University of Minnesota
- Vancouver Island Health Authority
- Wayne State University, Detroit
- Wilfred Laurier University
- Women’s College Hospital
Citizens and Cooperative Groups
- Casey House
- Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto
- Parkdale BIA
- Rexdale Sikh Sabha
Development Companies
- Allied Properties
- Amacon
- Ballymore Properties Ltd.
- Bentall Kennedy
- Brookfield Properties
- Cadillac Fairview
- Canada Lands Corporation
- Canada Quays Limited, UK
- Canderel Stoneridge
- Capital & Counties
- Celestica
- Concord Developments
- Conor Pacific Development Inc.
- DIAMONDCORP
- Diamante Developments
- First Capital Realty
- Glen Group
- Great Gulf
- Greenpark Homes
- GWL Realty Advisors
- Harhay Construction Management Ltd.
- Henderson Land Development Co. (Hong Kong)
- Hyatt Development Corp.
- Ivanhoe Cambridge
- King Street West Capital
- Kolter Property Company
- Liberty Developments
- Lifetime Urban Development
- Lormel Homes
- Menkes Development
- Metrontario Ltd.
- Minto Construction Ltd.
- NEXXT Development Corp.
- North Realty Ltd.
- Oxford Properties
- Options for Homes
- Osmington Inc.
- Pinnacle
- QRD One Developments
- Redcliff Realty
- Shiplake Development
- Siteline Developments
- Skyline Development Inc.
- Plazacorp Properties
- TAS Design Build
- The British Land Company
- The Goldman Group
- The Greyrock Group of Companies
- The River Oaks Group Ltd.
- Tridel
- Verdiroc
- Westmont
Private Corporations
- ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centres)
- Aetna Life Insurance Company
- Bank of Montréal
- Bank of Nova Scotia
- Colgate Palmolive Canada Ltd.
- Crown Life
- Dupont Canada Ltd.
- ExCeL London, U.K.
- Hyatt International Ltd.
- Idomo
- Maple Leaf Gardens
- Manulife Financial
- Rogers Communications
- Sun Life of Canada
- Torstar Ltd.
- YMCA of Greater Toronto
- Zenon Environmental Inc.