Addressing the challenges of long-term development and creating complete, sustainable communities has been at the forefront of our discussions in the Greater Toronto Area for many years. 

Master planning is a complex, long-term process that requires foresight and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. What looks promising on paper can take decades to fully develop, and the realities of time often shift the course of even the most well-intentioned plans.

To explore the lessons learned from neighbourhoods that were once visionary master plans themselves, our industry can look back at their original goals and compare them to the built realities. 

Smart Density, together with the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, explored exactly that, and now you can visit a new exhibition which displays our findings.

Through a curated collection of new global neighbourhoods, we identified examples that prioritize mixed-use developments, transit infrastructure and sustainability principles. The exhibition will showcase these projects, illustrating how cities worldwide are tackling the issues of growth, sustainability, and urban design.

The exhibition will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., between September 16 and November 8, 2024 at the World Urban Pavilion at Regent Park, Powered by Daniels, located at 660 Dundas St. E., Toronto.

Here are the 10 neighbourhoods from around the world that began as ambitious master plans and now offer valuable insights into creating sustainable, adaptable communities.

Canary Wharf, London

This 71-acre neighbourhood is a prime example of brownfield regeneration, transforming former docks into a vibrant commercial and retail district.

Hudson Yards, New York City

Built over the Hudson Rail Yards, this 28-acre neighbourhood showcases bold engineering and urban vision, with plans for residential, commercial and cultural spaces.

Merwede, Utrecht

Merwede is an ambitious car-free community where 12,000 residents will live with only one parking space for every three households, prioritizing sustainability.

Inner Nordhavn, Copenhagen

Part of a 500-acre transformation of an industrial port, Inner Nordhavn is designed as a five-minute neighbourhood, focused on walkability and mixed-use spaces.

Seestadt Aspern, Vienna

This 593-acre neighbourhood on a former airfield aims to house 25,000 residents and create over 20,000 jobs, blending housing and employment opportunities.

Quartier Vauban, Freiburg

This 101-acre development is known for its collaborative decision-making process, creating an environmentally conscious, traffic-calmed neighbourhood.

HafenCity, Hamburg

As Europe’s largest inner-city development, HafenCity spans 388 acres and aims to host 16,000 residents, providing a model for mixed-use urban waterfront districts.

Seaport Square, Boston

This 23-acre development aims to transform underutilized land into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood in South Boston, integrating sustainable practices.

Banpo-dong, Seoul

This redevelopment in Seoul reimagines a post-war housing project into a mixed-use, high-density neighbourhood with a public realm focused on pedestrian-scale streets.

Regent Park, Toronto

Canada’s largest revitalization project, Regent Park transforms a 69-acre public housing complex into a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use community.