Regent Park

For other places with the same name, see Regent's Park (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 43°39′42″N 79°21′54″W / 43.66167°N 79.36500°W / 43.66167; -79.36500

Regent Park
Neighbourhood

Looking down Dundas St. East in May 2008.

Location of Regent Park within Toronto
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
City Toronto
Redeveloped ca 1940s

Regent Park is a neighbourhood located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, built in the late 1940s as a public housing project. The project is managed by Toronto Community Housing. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east, Shuter Street to the south, and Parliament Street to the west.

Regent Park's residential dwellings, prior to the ongoing redevelopment, were entirely social housing, and covered all of the 69 acres (280,000 m²) which comprise the community. The Toronto neighbourhood, formerly known as Cabbagetown, was razed in the process of creating Regent Park; the nickname Cabbagetown is now applied to the historical, upscale area north of the housing project.

History

Regent Park, and adjoining areas of the Old City's eastend, were home to some of Toronto's historic slum districts in the early 1900s. Most residents of the area were poor and working-class people of British and Irish descent, along with smaller numbers of continental European Jewish and Balkan immigrants. Concern over crime and social problems in the area, as well as substandard housing, led to plans for affordable housing during the Second World War.[1] These plans came to fruition soon after the end of the war, when the Regent Park North public housing project was approved in 1947. Families began to move into Regent Park North in 1949, but construction continued into the 1950s. The last families moved into Regent Park North in 1957. In subsequent years, more public housing units were built in Toronto, including Regent Park South, which was completed in 1960.

Although Regent Park was originally designed to alleviate the area's substandard housing, crime, and social problems, these issues soon reemerged. By the mid-1960s, for example, there were complaints about the housing projects falling into a state of disrepair. Changes to the Canadian immigration system in the 1960s led to an influx of multicultural and multiethnic immigrants into the country. Some of these people, including immigrants from the Caribbean, China, and Southeast Asia, settled in Regent Park in the 1960s and 1970s, changing the ethnic and racial composition of the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the area continued to have a reputation of crime. In the first decade of the 21st century a new redevelopment plan for Regent Park was implemented. This plan called for Regent Park to be redeveloped as a mixed-income neighbourhood. Because of the area's proximity to the downtown core, it is potentially high value real estate.

According to the 2006 census for census tract 0030.00, Regent Park had a high visible minority population. Upwards to 1145 black people, 815 South Asian, 365 Chinese, and 100 Latin American people. In 2011, those numbers had changed. By the 2011 National Household Survey census, there were now 565 Black people, 495 South Asian, 325 Chinese and 105 Latin American people. It is important to recognize the significance of the decline of the visible minority populations in Regent Park from the 2006 census to the 2011 NHS census.

In Regent Park, the median in income in 2006 and 2011 was $40,000 to $49,999, although there was a decrease in this income range as compared to 2006. In comparison to Ontario, it is evident that the median income in Regent Park for 2006 and 2011 is higher than the median income in Ontario for 2006 and 2011. Although the population for Regent Park decreased in 2011 from 2006, the fact that there was an increase in the visible minority population in 2011 followed by a decrease in the average income (of $40, 000 to $49,000) and higher ($50,000 to $59,999), may suggest that visible minorities are having difficulty finding, or sustaining well-paying jobs. The fact that there is an increase in the mode income of $30,000 to $39,999 from 2006 to 2011, and an increase in visible minorities in 2011 compared to 2006, may suggest that visible minorities in Regent Park are being paid lower (on average), which is problematic because this indicates that certain individuals are lacking equal opportunities to resources.

    Redevelopment

    Progress of redevelopment in August 2008
    A banner indicating construction on phase 3 of the revitalization plan in May 2014
    Regent Park in winter.

    More than a half-century old, the Regent Park projects were aging rapidly and in need of costly repairs. The city government developed a plan to demolish and rebuild Regent Park over the next many years, with the first phase having started fall 2005. The addition of market units on site will double the number of units in Regent Park. Former street patterns will be restored and housing will be designed to reflect that of adjacent neighbourhoods (including Cabbagetown and Corktown), in order to end Regent Park's physical isolation from the rest of the city.

    In support of the Clean and Beautiful City campaign by former Toronto Mayor David Miller,[2] and to further the goal of renewing architecture in all Toronto Community Housing projects, an architectural competition was held for the design of the first apartment building in the complex. Toronto-based architectsAlliance was selected winner of the competition, with a modern glass point tower set on top of a red-brick podium structure in their proposal.[3] While phase two had not yet been completed, the third stage of the revitalization plan, began on May 2014 which will include newer or updated facilities. The revitalization plan has five phases.[1]

    Evolution from a transitional community to a residential community

    Regent Park was originally designed as a transitional community. It was to house people experiencing financial difficulties, or socioeconomic adjustment support. Most residents were on social assistance, and working residents paid rent proportional to their income (average total income of individuals in 2010 was $38714).[4] In the last two decades Regent Park has also become an immigrant community, as immigrants facing difficulties settling in Canada end up living there. Thus, the community is always viewed and administrated as a transitional community. This contributed to the concentration of a socially marginalized population, and various social ills of Regent Park. In particular, a transitional community failed to generate the awareness, interest, and commitment of its residents to invest in the development and sustainability of a higher quality of life.

    Community groups and service agencies

    Various community groups have been highly active in promoting a positive sense of community and community representation, and in pursuing a higher quality of life. Salvation Army 614 fosters community and its mission is to show the love of Jesus Christ with those in the community. Through service and youth programs. Another such organization is Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre, which "uses media technology as a tool to employ young people, enhance resiliency, bridge information gaps, increase civic engagement, promote health and effect positive change." Pathways to Education is a program of the Regent Park Community Health Centre that promotes "individual health and the health of the community by addressing the two principal social determinants of health: education and income." Moreover, there are various cultural associations such as Regent Park Tamil Cultural Association, which aim to promote intra and inter cultural development and exchange, and to foster a healthier community.

    Politics

    Canada consists of 308 electoral districts, and Regent Park is located in the Toronto Centre riding. For city administration, each district is divided into two city wards. Regent Park is located in Ward 28.

    Regent Park Political Representation
    People Representatives in Government Member of Toronto City Council Pam McConnell
    Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Glen Murray
    Member of (Federal) Parliament (MP) [[Bill Morneau<ref>http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/ParlInfo/compilations/houseofcommons/memberbypostalcode.aspx?Menu=HOC&PostalCode=M5A0C2</ref>]]

    In 2002 Toronto City Councillors recognized the need for increased tenant participation in the day-to-day management of housing. As a result, TCHC initiated the Tenant Participation System[5] The first election for TPS was held in 2003, and a subsequent election was held in 2006. The tenant representatives were volunteers representing a constant number of adjacent units. Overall the formal mechanism set up to give tenants voice in the day-to-day management of the Regent Park had a positive impact. For instance, lighting in Regent Park has improved as a direct result of the TPS representatives requests. However, the mechanism developed for the whole of Toronto’s various housing communities need to adopt to local conditions in order to meet the needs of the Regent Park residents more effectively.

    Community facilities

    Transportation

    Regent Park is served by several Toronto Transit Commission streetcar routes: 501, 505, 506; as well as the "65 Parliament" bus. The streetcars provide quick access to the Yonge subway line.

    The Don Valley Parkway is a major highway that runs to the east of the neighbourhood.

    Emergency services

    The Toronto Fire Services station 325 is Regent Park's fire station, and located at 475 Dundas Street East.[6] The Toronto Police Service – 51 Division is responsible for the community.[7] It was once located in the community at 30 Regent Street, and it has now moved to nearby 51 Parliament Street. Paramedics serving the Regent Park area are deployed from Toronto Emergency Medical Services Station 40. Station 40 is an Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support station staffed with Level II (Advanced Care Paramedic) and Level I (Primary Care Paramedic) crews located at 58 Richmond Street East.

    Housing

    The majority of the buildings in Regent Park are owned and operated by Toronto Community Housing the public low income housing administrator in Toronto. Regent Park is the "Community Housing Unit 27" managed by TCHC, and its manager is Ade Davies.[8]

    Most units are low rise apartment units bounded by Gerrard Street, Parliament Street, Dundas Street and River Street. The units are three storey brick buildings with central balconies.

    On the south side of Dundas Street the housing consists of five high rise apartment towers with two storey townhomes on the east and west sides.

    Child care

    Regent Park has a very young population. The Regent Park Child Care Centre at St Bartholomew's Church cares for infants and toddlers.[9]

    Schools and libraries

    Regent Park is served by two public libraries. The Toronto Public Library Parliament branch is located at the corner of Gerrard and Parliament streets, and houses a special local history archive about Regent Park. The other nearby library is the Riverdale branch located at the junction of Gerrard Street and Broadview Avenue.

    There are two Toronto District School Board schools located within the neighbourhood:

    Social issues

    Regent Park is characterized by a high rate of poverty and unemployment, and is home to an immigrant and marginalized population. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, visible minorities make up 63% of the population of Regent Park. It[4] experiences a higher rate of violence, crime, drug abuse, and social ills compared to many other Toronto communities.

    As late as 2001 the relation between some residents and police was confrontational.[10] Police face tremendous challenges in providing protection and security to the community.

    Academic study

    Aerial Photograph of Cabbagetown before redevelopment of southern half as 'Regent Park', 1942

    Regent Park has attracted the attention of various social science scholars and media. Scholar and activist Dr. Sean Purdy has written his thesis based on his research about Regent Park. His paper "Ripped Off" By the System: Housing Policy, Poverty, and Territorial Stigmatization in Regent Park Housing Project, 1951–1991 provides valuable insights about Regent Park.[11]

    The recent Regent Park Revitalization Plan is also viewed and undertaken as a pilot Canadian social re engineering effort. The federal and local governments view the plan as means to establish best practices and bench marks. Although such enthusiasm adds to the momentum of the revitalization plan, the Regent Park history warrants caution as not to repeat or reproduce the shortcomings of its past.

    In addition, Norman Rowen, Program Manager of Pathways to Education, and researcher Kevin Gosine have published research that documents the success of Pathways in improving academic achievement and reducing the high school dropout rate among Regent Park youth.

    List of academic literature

    Books about Regent Park

    Documentaries

    Notable residents

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 "Regent Park revitalization enters a new phase as tenants relocated". CBC Toronto. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
    2. ↑ SOUTHEY, TABATHA. "Reconsidering Toronto’s Regent Park: Look again – it’s where Canada works". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
    3. ↑ "architectsAlliance wins Regent Park housing competition". CanadianArchitect. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
    4. 1 2 Census, 2011
    5. ↑ Tenant Participation System http://www.torontohousing.ca/residentengagement
    6. ↑ City of Toronto: Toronto Fire Services - Fire operations
    7. ↑ Toronto Police Service :: To Serve and Protect
    8. ↑ http://www.torontohousing.ca/tenant_life/units/default.asp?load=ch27
    9. ↑ City of Toronto: Children's Services - Municipal Child Care - Regent Park Child Care Centre
    10. ↑ http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_05.17.01/news/citystate.html
    11. ↑ Sean Purdy | "Ripped Off" By the System: Housing Policy, Poverty, and Territorial Stigmatization in Regent Park Housing Project, 1951–1991 | Labour/Le Travail, 52 | The Histor...

      External links

      Wikimedia Commons has media related to Regent Park.
      		 Cabbagetown
      Moss Park South Riverdale
      		   Regent Park  
      Trefann Court
      This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, May 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.