Nathan Phillips Square Research Proposal

Paper Summary:

This paper represents a proposal for research concerning issues to be addressed in the current re-design process for Nathan Phillips Square, the setting for Toronto's City Hall and an iconic work of modern urban architecture. The paper points out that this redesign process is in response to a consensus that has been reached by city politicians and leading civic officials that the existing design of the square was not only flawed in its multiple revisions over time since the original construction, but also no longer reflects the urban vision of 21st century Toronto. The paper concludes that qualitative research methods used to gain insights into the views of neighbours of the space towards the redesign project would be invaluable in determining who would be likely users of the space, how should it operate within the Toronto community, and the most important design elements of the project.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Methods
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"It is clear that in carrying out this research into the redesign of Nathan Phillips Square it would be necessary to consult with a diverse range of stakeholders. One major insight from the literature review is that often one research method is inadequate to fully explore all of the issues involved in a project as complex and politically and socially sensitive as the redesign of Toronto's icon Nathan Phillips Square. Three methods would be particularly effective given the nature of the project: ethnographic/participant analysis, qualitative interviewing, and focus groups."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bryman, Alan and Teevan, James. Social Research Methods Canadian Edition. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
• City of Toronto. Nathan Phillips Square: Design Competition Brief. CS&P Architects. October 20, 2006.
• Feffer, Andrew. "Showdown in Center City: Staging Redevelopment and Citizenship in Bicentennial Philadelphia." Journal of Urban History. 30.6(2004): 791-825.
• Gendall, John. "Beacon Signals the Arrival of Revived Public Space." Architectural Record. 194.10 (2006).
• Hume, Christopher. "Four Downtown Visions." The Toronto Star. February 21, 2007.

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