Addressing the challenges of long-term development and creating complete, sustainable communities has been at the forefront of our discussions at Smart Density. In 2022, our commitment to creating thriving and sustainable neighbourhoods led us to initiate a collaborative effort with the University of Toronto’s School of Cities, a renowned multidisciplinary hub for urban research, education, and engagement creating new and just ways for cities and their residents to thrive. Together, we aimed to create a guidebook that showcases best practices from around the world in planning new neighbourhoods.

This collection of new neighbourhoods was carefully curated based on well-defined criteria, and illustrated with eye-catching visuals. We hope that it inspires the planning and design of resilient, sustainable, and remarkable neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond. Together, we can shape the future of our communities, one innovative neighbourhood at a time.

This guidebook is a key component of our two-part exhibition and solutions lab event titled “New Neighbourhoods: A Global Tour,” set to be held in September 2024, in Toronto. The event is organized in collaboration with the Regent Park World Urban Pavilion (the Pavilion), a joint initiative of the Urban Economy Forum Association and UN-Habitat, with support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and The Daniels Corporation. In recognition of our partnership with the Pavilion, the guidebook features Regent Park as the sole Canadian new neighbourhood included. This addition not only honours the event’s setting but also provides visitors with valuable insights into the distinctive characteristics and evolution of Regent Park.