Forty years of Urban Strategies means four decades of ambitious clients, productive collaborations and places changed for the better. Since 1986, the firm has brought planning and design together to help communities and institutions imagine their future and establish how to achieve it.
On September 24, 2026 clients, consultants, former staff and current Strategists gathered to celebrate that shared achievement. Our event was held in the newly redeveloped Mirvish Village – one of our award winning projects. The anniversary recognized the relationships behind the work and the contributions of generations of people who have shaped the practice.
From Toronto’s waterfront to campuses, neighbourhoods and cities internationally, our work establishes a larger vision and guides the decisions that make change possible. Our long-standing relationships have allowed us to contribute as plans become streets, parks, homes and places of learning and care. Each assignment has added to the experience we bring to the next.
This article series celebrates that work through five themes: People, Places, Process, Ideas and Culture. It considers the people who carry the practice forward, the methods and ideas that inform our work, the culture that supports collaboration, and explores places we have touched.
The future brings urgent questions about housing, climate resilience, infrastructure and the responsibilities of growth. Four decades of practice provide a strong foundation for addressing them with curiosity, sound judgment and optimism. As Urban Strategies enters its next decade, we look forward to working with clients, communities and collaborators to turn new ambitions into better urban places.
