Territorialisation of Public Housing: The Case of Lawrence Heights

This major paper examines the socio-spatial political process that produces public housing neighbourhoods in Toronto as dominated geographies, demarcating them - and their residents – along stark lines of class, race and poverty. It reaches beyond the imperatives of neoliberal capitalism and historically examines underlying notions of neo-colonialization. It specifically analyzes revitalization practices as a continuation of the same process, and presents Lawrence Heights Revitalization project as a form of post-war suburban extension and an urban policy of pacification. The aim of this research is to highlight the social norms underlying mainstream planning arguments and practices around public housing.