Notice of M.Arch. Thesis Defence (Spring 2015)

James Strong

Of the thesis entitled:NO MAN’S LAND :deconstructing the company camp in Canada’sOil Sands

Abstract:

For nearlyfifty years, commercial development in the Canadian Oil Sands has been thegenerator of a population explosion in northern Alberta.Oil sector workers seeking stable employmentand high wages have been drawn to the regionfor decades; often with theintention of re-settling permanently (or semi-permanently) in local communitiesnear industrial activities.Thesepopulation increases have long been the driver of urban (and sub-urban)development in FortMcMurray; which has grown to become a fully functioningindustrial town of nearly 100 thousand permanent residents.

While manyconsider Fort McMurray a paragon of the contemporary ‘single industry’ (orcompany) town, an exclusive academic focus on ‘city-building’ has failed toacknowledge the increasing relevance of the company work camp inaccommodatingperpetual population increases.Indeed,statistical and demographic data – gathered by the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo – has revealed a trend prioritizing the deployment of company camps inlieu of permanentimprovements to the existing urban construct.

Overwhelmingly,the camp has been characterized as the natural consequence of industrialexpansion: as resource extraction operations advance farther into the Canadianhinterland, the centripetal urban model (i.e. Fort McMurray) isrenderedincreasingly obsolete.The expandingindustrial footprint hasnecessitatedan alternateextra-urbanproject.This assumption - that the campis inevitable - has severely limited the ongoing public discourse surroundingcontemporaryworking accommodations, and has contributed to a perception of thecamp as ‘benign’ or ‘passive’ when – in fact – the opposite is true.

This thesis aimsto assess the current scope and scale of camp deployment through a carefulaccounting of individual accommodations sites while simultaneously exploringthe organizational prerogatives of camp deployment.The camp – asextra-urban paradigm – is linked to an explicit economic agendawhich has successfully institutionalized a ‘nomadic,’ ‘transient,’ or otherwise‘precarious’ working regime on what is arguably Canada’s most significantindustrial project.

The examining committee is as follows:

Supervisor:

Committee Members:

ɱ, University of ݮƵ

ղԲԾ, University of ݮƵ

Robert Jan Van Pelt,University of ݮƵ

External Reader:

Dr. Angela Carter, University ofݮƵ


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows:


The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.


The Defence Examination will take place:


Friday, May 1, 2015 9:30AM ARC 2026

A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.

Back to defences

Sundus Shaikh

Of the thesis entitled:Cultural Connectivity :Designas a method to facilitate cultural exchangewithintheGerrardBazaar

Abstract:

As immigrants choose to reside within thesuburbs and the city undergoes rapid geographical change, Toronto’s ethnicenclaves are facing significant transformation in terms of their neighbourhooddemographics, economic conditions and function. The Gerrard Bazaar is a primeexample of an ethnic retail strip that is struggling with a changing identityand day-to-day role, as the South Asian population gradually reduces within thearea, while young, non-South Asian families continue to move in. Once athriving Indo-Pakistani retail destination, theethnic enclave has witnessedsignificant economic decline leading to fluctuating levels of urban vacancy.Among the many South Asian shops, there lies an increasing presence ofmainstream coffee shops and specialty stores that have replaced declining SouthAsian retailenterprises over time. Various social and business organizationsare also situated along the strip, yet a significant number of their efforts toregenerate the enclave, operate in an isolated manner. There also remains acultural divide within the area as well as a general lack ofsolidarity amongthe merchants and organizations within the bazaar.

This thesis suggests that the key to revivingthe Bazaar as well as other declining ethnic enclaves, lies in promoting newnetworks of “cultural exchange” in which architecture and urban design can be afacilitator of new interactions and symbiotic relationships among differentorganizations and individuals. It comprises of a demographic, historic,architectural and spatial analysis as well as in-depth human research thatstudies how visitors and inhabitants of the Gerrard Bazaar perceive the ethnicenclave, and what culture means to them. Thesediscovered studies and personalinsights influence the design process and are meant to serve as a new techniqueby which one can study the notion of culture and how it informs architectureand urban interventions. Thus, the focus of thesis is on the method by whicharchitectureand design is produced, in response to the lack of culturalexchange.

The way in which this method translatesresearch into design, is by the formulation of a manual of “design strategies”that serves as a template for the design intervention. This manual is appliedto three different sites within the Gerrard Bazaar, for three types of uniquedesignproposals - A re-activated plaza, an adaptively re-used square and are-imagined senior’s residential complex. These proposals are not meant to“freeze” the changes that are taking place within the Gerrard Bazaar, butrather, respond to the gentrification in a positive manner andacknowledge thedemographic trend that is transpiring within the neighbourhood.

It is envisionedthat these new interventions would act as catalysts in fostering a new sense ofcommunity and revitalizing the day-to-day life of the neighbourhood. Inaddition, they would serve to optimize the existing functions and events of theethnic enclave and act as anchorpoints along the strip. Moreover, the presenceof these interventions and the changes that they bring, are meant to help thebazaar pave the path to a new identity where its cultural heritage is sharedand promoted, yet its demographic and cultural transition are acknowledged andintegrated.

The examining committee is as follows: