What We Do > Awards & Clients

Awards & Clients

USI staff accepting an award

Awards & Recognition

We are proud to have been recognized with many coveted honours and awards for our leadership and excellence from industry organizations.

2021 – Present

2011 – 2020

2001 – 2010

  • 2010Ontario Professional Planners Award for Excellence, PlanningThe Plan for Kerr Village, Oakville
  • 2010U.S. International Film & Video Festival Award, Certificate for Creative ExcellenceVaughan Official Plan
  • 2010Canadian Society of Landscape Architects National Honour Award, Planning & AnalysisCity of Ottawa
  • 2010Society of American Architects Medallion of Honor for Design ExcellenceBrooklyn Bridge Park Master Plan
  • 2010Society of American Registered Architects (SARA), Medallion of HonourBrooklyn Bridge Park Master Plan
  • 2009Canadian Institute of Planners Award, Neighbourhood Planning – Honourable MentionBridgepoint Health Master Plan
  • 2009Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence, Planning StudiesBrantford Downtown Vision & Masterplan
  • 2009Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Award for Communications and Public EducationVaughan Official Plan
  • 2009Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Planning Studies/Reports AwardCity of Ottawa
  • 2009Heart & Stroke Foundation Healthy Communities AwardCity of Ottawa
  • 2009Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence, Transportation & InfrastructureThe Big Move Regional Transportation Plan
  • 2009Canadian Institute of Planners Awards of ExcellenceCornell University Campus Master Plan
  • 2009American Planning Association, New York State Chapter, Award of Excellence for Comprehensive PlanningCornell University Campus Master Plan
  • 2009Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Award – Regional HonourCornell University Campus Master Plan
  • 2008Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence for Neighbourhood PlanningSaint Paul Corridor and Station Area Plans
  • 2008Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Excellence for Planning in Urban DesignSt. Louis Gateway Mall Park Plan
  • 2008Toronto Design Exchange Award of Excellence in Urban DesignCornell University Campus Master Plan
  • 2008Canadian Institute of Planners International Grand Prize for ExcellenceThe Queenston Secondary Plan, Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • 2007American Planning Association, Minnesota Chapter, Honor AwardSaint Paul Corridor and Station Area Plans
  • 2007Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Award for ExcellenceUniversity of Ottawa Master Plan
  • 2007Greater Toronto Homebuilders/Urban Development Institute Low Rise Project of the YearDon Mount Court Redevelopment
  • 2007American Planning Association, Daniel Burnham AwardGrowth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
  • 2007Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Leonard Gertler Award of DistinctionGrowth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
  • 2007Canadian Institute of Planners Awards for Planning Excellence in International DevelopmentLower Don Vally Vision & Master Plan, Sheffield
  • 2007American Planning Association, Public Outreach AwardYoungstown Ohio Vision
  • 2006London Planning Award, Waterfront RenewalLondon Docklands
  • 2006Grand Prize, EPA Phoenix AwardKendall Square Research Park (Cambridge)
  • 2006Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Award for Planning and AnalysisCity of Ottawa
  • 2006Canadian Institute of Planners, Award for Excellence in Downtown PlanningCity of Ottawa
  • 2005Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence in International DevelopmentLondon Docklands
  • 2005Waterfront Center Honor AwardLondon Docklands
  • 2005American Planning Association, New York Upstate Chapter, Outstanding Planning AwardNiagara Falls Strategic Master Plan
  • 2005City of Toronto Urban Design Award for Visions & Masterplans – Honourable MentionCentre for Addiction & Mental Health
  • 2004Canadian Institute of Planners Paul Bedford Award for Planning ExcellenceSaint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan and Implementation Strategy
  • 2004Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Excellence in Planning AwardCentre for Addiction & Mental Health
  • 2004Canadian Institute of Planners Paul Bedford Award for Planning ExcellenceCentre for Addiction & Mental Health
  • 2004American Society of Landscape Architects, Award of Excellence for Planning and AnalysisCity of Ottawa
  • 2003Congress for New Urbanism Charter AwardSarasota 2050 (with Glatting Jackson)
  • 2003Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Award for Planning ExcellenceArt Gallery of Ontario 
  • 2003Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Award for Planning ExcellenceBrock University
  • 2002Canadian Institute of Planners Peter Bloodoff Award for Planning ExcellenceToronto Waterfront Revitalization
  • 2001Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Central District Outstanding Planning Award & Provincial Professional Merit AwardReinvesting in Toronto: What the Competition is Doing
  • 2001Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Excellence in Planning AwardCentre for Addiction & Mental Health
  • 2001City of Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Award of ExcellenceUniversity of Toronto
  • 2001Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, National and Regional Merit AwardUniversity of Toronto
  • 2001American Planning Association, Outstanding Planning Award for a Special Community InitiativeThe Learning Corridor, Harford, Connecticut
  • 2001American Planning Association, South Carolina Chapter, Outstanding Planning Project AwardCharleston Downtown Plan

1991 – 2000

  • 2000City of Toronto Architecture and Urban Design AwardToronto Waterfront Revitalization
  • 2000American Society of Landscape Architects, Honor AwardSt. Louis Downtown Plan
  • 1999Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Provinicial Professional Merit AwardCanada Life Assurance Head Office Campus Master Plan, Toronto
  • 1999Canadian Institute of Planners International Grand Prize for Excellence Environmental Management and Land Use Planning for Sustainable DevelopmentBarbados Physical Development Plan & Barbados National Park
  • 1999American Society of Landscape Architects, Planning Honor AwardBarbados Physical Development Plan & Barbados National Park
  • 1998Ontario Provincial Planners Institute, Outstanding Planning Award, Central DistrictOakville Uptown Core, Oakville, Ontario
  • 1997Waterfront Center Top Honor for Excellence on the Waterfront AwardSaint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 1997American Planning Association, Minnesota Chapter, Distinguished Planning Project AwardSaint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 1996Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning ExcellenceMaking Choices: Guidelines for Alternative Development Standards
  • 1995Credit Valley Conservation Authority Merit AwardMontgomery Village, Orangeville, Ontario
  • 1994Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Honour Award for Planning ExcellenceEngland Peel Regional Structure Study, Ontario
  • 1994Ontario Provincial Planners Institute Honour Award for Planning ExcellenceSpeke-Garston Regeneration Plan, Liverpool
  • 1994Toronto Arts Award for Architecture and DesignUrban Strategies Inc.
  • 1993Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning ExcellenceMorrison Common Community Plan
  • 1993Architect Magazine, Progressive Architecture CitationGuidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
  • 1993American Institute of Planners Outstanding Planning AwardGuidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
  • 1993Canadian Institute of Planners Honourable Mention for Planning ExcellenceUniversity of Waterloo Campus Master Plan, Ontario
  • 1993Canadian Architect AwardFaubourg Quebec Community Plan, Montreal
  • 1992Canadian Institute of Planners, Honour AwardGuidelines for the Reurbanisation of Metropolitan Toronto
  • 1992Canadian Institute of Planners Honour AwardGuidelines for the Reurbanization of Metropolitan Toronto

Selected Clients

We are privileged to work with many wonderful clients and collaborators, creating beloved places that attract people and advance equity and sustainability.

Municipalities

  • Aberdeen City Council, Scotland
  • Belfast City Council, Ireland
  • Cardiff City Council, Wales
  • 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 Coquitlam
  • City of Cork, Northern Ireland
  • City of Corner Brook, Newfoundland
  • City of Edmonton, Alberta
  • City of Fredericton, New Brunswick
  • City of Guelph, Ontario
  • City of Hamilton, Ontario
  • City of Kitchener, Ontario
  • City of Mississauga, Ontario
  • City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
  • City of Ningbo, China
  • City of Orillia, Ontario
  • City of Ottawa, Ontario
  • City of Pickering, Ontario
  • City of Red Deer, Alberta
  • City of Regina, Saskatchewan
  • City of Rochester, New York
  • City of Salford, U.K.
  • City of St. Albert, Alberta
  • City of St. Catharines, Ontario
  • City of Saint John, New Brunswick
  • City of Saint Louis, Missouri
  • City of Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • City of Sheffield, U.K.
  • City of Toronto, Ontario
  • City of Troy, New York
  • City of Vancouver, British Columbia
  • City of Vaughan, Ontario
  • City of Youngstown, Ohio
  • Comox Valley Regional District, BC
  • Edmonton Metropolitan Region
  • Liverpool City Council, U.K.
  • Manchester City Council, U.K.
  • Municipality of Clarington, Ontario
  • Province of Prince Edward Island
  • Region of Durham, Ontario
  • Region of Halton, Ontario
  • Region of Peel, Ontario
  • Region of Waterloo, Ontario
  • Region of York, Ontario
  • Strathcona County, Alberta
  • Town of Caledon, Ontario
  • City of Markham, Ontario
  • Town of Midland, Ontario
  • Town of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
  • Town of Oakville, Ontario
  • Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario
  • Town of Stratford, Prince Edward Island

Design Review Panel & Committee Membership

  • Centre Block Ottawa
  • City of Brampton
  • City of Hamilton
  • City of Missisauga
  • City of Ottawa
  • City of Toronto
  • Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  • Toronto Waterfront Development Corporation

Governments and Agencies

  • BC Housing
  • Build Toronto
  • Canada Lands Company
  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Charlottetown Area Development Corporation
  • Detroit Greater Downtown Partnership
  • Exhibition Place, Toronto
  • Government of Barbados
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of New South Wales
  • Government of the Northwest Territories
  • Government of Puerto Rico
  • The Trust for Governors Island
  • Greater Toronto Airport Authority
  • Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority
  • Henvey Inlet First Nation
  • Infrastructure Ontario
  • Inter-American Development Bank
  • Liverpool City Council
  • Limerick City
  • Manchester Airport Group
  • Manchester City Council
  • Metrolinx
  • National Capital Commission, Ottawa
  • New East Manchester, U.K.
  • NRCan
  • Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
  • Ontario Ministry of Transportation
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada PWGSC
  • Saint John Waterfront Development Corporation
  • Singapore Housing Development Board
  • Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority
  • Surrey City Development Corporation
  • Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  • Toronto Lands Company
  • Toronto Parking Authority
  • Toronto Port Authority (CreateTO)
  • Toronto Transit Commission
  • Tssut’ina Nation
  • Vancouver Park Board
  • Waterfront Toronto

Institutions

  • Aga Khan Development Network
  • Algonquin College, Ottawa
  • Anishnawbe Health, Toronto
  • Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Bridgepoint Active Healthcare/ Sinai Health System, Toronto
  • Brock University, St. Catharines
  • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
  • Cape Breton University
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • Centennial College, Toronto
  • 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
  • Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
  • Humber River Regional Hospital, Toronto
  • MaRS Discovery District, Toronto
  • McMaster University, Hamilton
  • Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto
  • Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
  • Nature Conservancy of Canada
  • New York Institute of Technology
  • Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health
  • Princeton University, New Jersey
  • Queen’s University, Kingston
  • Ramapo College
  • Scarborough Health Network - Centenary hospital
  • St.Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health)
  • Sheridan College, Brampton
  • SickKids Hospital, Toronto
  • Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
  • U.K. National Health Service Trust, South West London & St. George’s Mental Health, NHS Trust
  • University of British Columbia, Vancouver
  • University of Guelph
  • University of Missouri–St. Louis
  • Ontario Tech University, Oshawa
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Toronto Scarborough
  • University of Virginia
  • University of Western Ontario
  • University of Waterloo
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Manchester
  • Vancouver Island Health Authority
  • Wilfred Laurier University
  • Women’s College Hospital
  • York University

Citizens and Cooperative Groups

  • Black Artists' Network In Dialogue (BAND)
  • Casey House
  • Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto

Development Companies

  • Allied Properties
  • Amacon
  • Ballymore Properties Ltd.
  • Bentall Green Oak
  • Brookfield Properties
  • Cadillac Fairview
  • Cairn PLC
  • Canada Lands Corporation
  • Canada Quays Limited, UK
  • Canadian Tire REIT
  • Canderel Stoneridge
  • Castlepoint Numa
  • CapitaLand Corp.
  • Capital Developments
  • Choice Properties REIT
  • Claridge Homes Ottawa
  • Comer Group Ireland
  • Concord Adex Developments
  • Conor Pacific Development Inc.
  • Context Development
  • Core Development Group
  • Create
  • DCMS Realty
  • DIAMONDCORP
  • DiamondKilmer
  • Diamante Developments
  • Dream
  • Dream Kilmer Tricon
  • Elad Group
  • Fieldgate Homes
  • First Gulf
  • First Capital Realty
  • Fitzrovia
  • FRAM Building Group
  • Freed Developments
  • Fusion Homes
  • Gemterra
  • Great Gulf
  • Greenpark Homes
  • GWL Realty Advisors
  • Hazelview Investments
  • Henderson Land Development Co. (Hong Kong)
  • Hines Canada
  • Hyatt Development Corp.
  • Indwell
  • Ivanhoe Cambridge
  • Kilmer
  • King Street West Capital
  • Kolter Property Company
  • Lifetime Urban Development
  • Lormel Homes
  • Menkes Development
  • Minto Communities
  • Minto Properties
  • MOD Developments
  • MST Development Corporation
  • NEXXT Development Corp.
  • North Edge Properties
  • North Realty Ltd.
  • Oxford Properties
  • Options for Homes
  • Osmington Inc.
  • Park River Properties
  • Peterson
  • Pinnacle
  • Primaris REIT
  • QRD One Developments
  • QuadReal Property Group
  • Redcliff Realty
  • RioCan
  • Shape
  • Shiplake Development
  • Siteline Developments
  • SITQ
  • Skyline Development Inc.
  • Slate Asset Management
  • Southern Grove
  • Starlight
  • Streetcar Developments
  • Plazacorp Properties
  • Plaza Partners
  • TAS Design Build
  • Tercot Communities
  • The British Land Company
  • The Goldman Group
  • The Greyrock Group of Companies
  • The River Oaks Group Ltd.
  • Triovest
  • Verdiroc
  • We Care Group
  • Westbank
  • Westerkirk
  • Westmont

Private Corporations

  • Aetna Life Insurance Company
  • All Seniors Care Living Centres
  • Bank of Montréal
  • Bank of Nova Scotia
  • Canada Water PLC
  • Canary Wharf Ltd.
  • Capital & Counties Properties PLC
  • Countryside
  • Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd.
  • Crown Life
  • Dupont Canada Ltd.
  • ExCeL London, U.K.
  • General Motors
  • Hyatt International Ltd.
  • Maple Leaf Gardens
  • Manulife Financial
  • Rogers Communications
  • Sun Life of Canada
  • Torstar Ltd.