Assembling Spaces A Case Study on the Process of Producing True North Square, Winnipeg MB by: Evan D. Sinclair A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF CITY PLANNING Department of City Planning Faculty of Architecture University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright © 2018 Evan D. Sinclair Abstract The production of urban space is increasingly influenced by concepts, techniques, and practices circulating between cities. While this phenomenon has been criticized for its potential to disregard local context, it has also been commended for its potential to introduce tried and tested concepts. In examining the process of producing True North Square, a mixed-use development in downtown Winnipeg, this case study explores how knowledge was mobilized from other North American cities and, in turn, re-assembled in the context of privately-owned public space. Using document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and a context study as the primary research methods, this thesis recommends that planners, architects, and developers mobilizing knowledge from other cities should put more emphasis on processual factors – including principles behind decision making, contextual influences, and responses of local users – as opposed to the physical outputs. In doing so, the study also identifies relevant lessons for producing flexible and contextually appropriate privately-owned public spaces, as well as approaches for their subsequent management. I Acknowledgements First of all, I would like to sincerely thank all of the interview participants who took the time to speak with me and share their passion for downtown Winnipeg, without whom this research would not have been possible. As well, I would like to express my gratitude to True North Real Estate Development for supporting my undertaking of this case study, which opened up a variety of new possibilities and exciting directions. Of course, thank you to my advisor, Dr. Richard Milgrom for helping me to develop my ideas and encouraging me to see this research through, as well as my committee members Dr. Jeremy Németh and Dr. Aaron Moore for their consistent support. Further, I would like to express my appreciation to all of the faculty members within the Department of City Planning, who patiently listened to my presentations and provided an abundance of thoughtful feedback. I must also acknowledge the generous financial support I was provided throughout my studies and, in some cases, specifically to complete this major degree project: SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Masters; Manitoba Graduate Scholarship; Dean David Witty Urban Design Scholarship; and the Corrigill Scholarship. Not only did this support provide me with the opportunity to remain focused on this thesis, but it validated the importance of the subject matter and overarching intent as well. Importantly, I need to articulate my admiration for fellow MDP Club members Lissie Rappaport and Michael Blatz, who were more helpful than they know. Thank you both for keeping me motivated and making time for those much needed beer breaks. Finally, I would like to extend a most genuine thanks to all of my friends, family members, and colleagues who were so patient with me throughout this program. In particular, thank you Katie Godfrey, Andrew Budyk, Tom Janzen, and Bob Somers for your ongoing help and unwavering trust. II Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... I Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... II List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. VI List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. V Chapter 1.0 – Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Case Study Background ............................................................................................. 3 1.2 Purpose .................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 10 1.4 Research Significance .............................................................................................. 11 1.5 Chapter Structure ..................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2.0 – Literature Review and Theoretical Framework ............................................... 13 2.1 Defining the Right to the City .................................................................................... 14 2.2 Privately-Owned Public Space ................................................................................. 17 2.3 Public Policy and Urban Development ..................................................................... 21 2.4 Mobilizing the City ..................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1 Defining and Advancing Policy Transfer .................................................... 25 2.4.2 Process and Actors .................................................................................... 27 2.4.3 Critiques of Policy Transfer ........................................................................ 30 2.4.4 Benefits of Knowledge Mobilization ........................................................... 31 2.4.5 Knowledge Mobilization and Spatial Assemblage ..................................... 32 2.5 Summary .................................................................................................................. 34 Chapter 3.0 – Methods .............................................................................................................. 36 3.1 Research Strategy .................................................................................................... 36 3.1.1 Case Study Context ................................................................................... 37 3.2 Data Collection ......................................................................................................... 38 3.2.1 Context Study ............................................................................................ 38 3.2.2 Document Analysis .................................................................................... 39 3.2.3 Semi-Structured Interviews ........................................................................ 39 3.3 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ 40 3.3.1 Content Analysis and Coding ..................................................................... 41 3.4 Biases and Limitations .............................................................................................. 41 Chapter 4.0 – Planning Policy and Regulatory Context......................................................... 44 4.1 The City of Winnipeg Charter Act ............................................................................. 44 4.2 OurWinnipeg ............................................................................................................. 46 4.3 Complete Communities Direction Strategy ............................................................... 47 4.4 Downtown Zoning By-law No. 100/2004 .................................................................. 48 4.5 Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Urban Design Advisory Committee ......... 49 4.6 The SHED Plan ........................................................................................................ 51 4.7 Summary .................................................................................................................. 53 Chapter 5.0 – Site Context ........................................................................................................ 55 5.1 Site Area ................................................................................................................... 55 5.2 Demographics ........................................................................................................... 59 5.3 Land Use .................................................................................................................. 62 5.4 Site Circulation .......................................................................................................... 64 III Chapter 6.0 – Analysis of the Process of Producing True North Square ............................ 67 6.1 Discovering the Precedents ...................................................................................... 67 6.1.1 Maple Leaf Square – Toronto, Ontario ...................................................... 68 6.1.2 L.A. LIVE – Los Angeles, California ........................................................... 69 6.1.3 Power and Light District – Kansas City, Missouri ...................................... 70 6.1.4 Key Commonalities Between Precedents .................................................. 71 6.1.5 Unprecedented Plans ................................................................................ 72 6.2 Creating