Building in common: (re)integrating social services and community space in church redevelopment projects

Clara Shipman and Matti Siemiatycki

Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, 2024, vol. 17, issue 1, 69-88

Abstract: As an increasing number of places of worship close due to various pressures, this paper explores the opportunities and barriers to churches being redeveloped as creative mixed-use buildings that include public spaces and social services through an examination of the experience of the United Church of Canada in Toronto. Drawing on a spatial analysis of their real estate activity and key informant interviews, this paper shows how there are key opportunities to leverage church-owned land, to create partnerships with organizations from other sectors, and to foster inclusive redevelopment projects. Barriers to redevelopment include limited development expertise, that each project is unique, and the evolving relationship between church and community. As major landowners in many cities, the article reflects on the possibility of church redevelopments to provide critical spaces for social services in large metropolitan areas that are facing affordability challenges as a result of growth.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/17549175.2022.2054852

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