The local governance of culture-led regeneration projects: a comparison between Montreal and Toronto

Abstract

This article analyses culture-led regeneration processes in the context of two case studies. We analyse the roles of urban stakeholders and the adaptation of regeneration strategies in two different local planning cultures: Toronto and Montreal. The two regeneration projects analysed are the redevelopment of the Toronto Entertainment District and a real-estate project proposal within the ‘Quartier des Spectacles’ in Montreal. The analysis highlights the specific planning culture embedded in local governance, aligned with two distinct applications of the creative city concept.

Keywords:

• urban regeneration
• local governance
• creative city
• planning culture
• Canada

Notes

1. To define these professional occupations, we refer to the acronym TAPE (Technology and Innovation, Arts and Culture, Professionals and Management, Education).

2. Snowball sampling (or chain referral sampling) is a non-probability sampling technique that is used by researchers to identify potential subjects in studies where subjects are hard to locate.

3. Can be obtained from the author.

4. We broke down the transcription according to our themes, and we then proceeded to a thematic and categorical analysis to measure the frequency of recurring ideas within our pre-determined themes (local governance, impacts on economic development, community empowerment). Based on the assumption that a theme cited frequently by interviewees is significant in terms of the transfer of themes into practice, we assessed our data as such (Quivy and Van Campenhoudt 1995, 232).

5. In the context of Quebec, the French word ‘revitalisation’ is a preferred term than ‘régénération’.

6. The City of Toronto also hired the firm in 2005 to conduct a comprehensive review of the King-Spadina Secondary Plan (our interviews).