Creative Mixed-Use
Launched in 2019, the Creative Mixed-Use Initiative at the School of Cities helps accelerate partnerships between public, private, and not-for-profit organizations to deliver innovative, mixed-use projects.
Convening
We actively convene non-profits, government bodies, the private sector and the general public to generate ideas for partnerships. This includes our current role as the Secretariat for Social Purpose Reference Group.
Advisory Role
We provide advisory work for non-for-profit and government organizations. This includes site-specific support that integrate policy, design, and economic considerations into viable strategies. See our projects here.
Matchmaking
The future of building cities depends on forming the right partnerships. We provide matchmaking services from a wide network of professionals from all stages of social purpose we would love to connect. Please email us for inquiries.
Case Studies
We have studied creative mixed-use cases extensively, with a focus in the Toronto context. Please see our case studies page for more in-depth detail.
Creative Mixed-Use in Toronto
Toronto is a leader in the development of creative, mixed-use buildings. These buildings bring together public and private uses in creative ways, locating unexpected partners in the same facility. Many of these projects have significantly contributed to the social and economic fabric of the city, bringing affordable housing and social and community services to the forefront. Examples in the Toronto region include homeless shelters attached to condominiums and community and cultural hubs underneath residential towers.
However, buildings of this nature emerge out of complex, unpredictable processes rather than a deliberate effort. This initiative believes that through proper research, communication, and critical analyses of development policy, creative mixed-use buildings can become an accessible path for many city builders, including non-profits, developers, public bodies, and institutions.