Steven Bell Project Coordinator Cultural Office Economic Development & Culture City of Toronto

Steven Bell has a dual specialty in urban design and historic preservation planning.  In 1993, he completed his undergraduate degree in Architectural Science at Ryerson University where he undertook intensive heritage conservation and design training.  Professionally, Steven has worked for the Ontario Heritage Trust (an agency of the Government of Ontario), the City of North York and the City of Toronto in positions responsible for the care, stewardship, and preservation of significant properties and heritage districts, including publicly owned heritage assets.

Having a strong interest in city building, contextual issues, sustainable development, and traditional neighbourhood design, Mr. Bell returned to academia in 2001 to complete a Masters Degree in Urban Design at the University of Toronto.  He then joined the City of Vaughan as Senior Urban Designer, responsible for the coordination of development review, urban design research, policy and special municipal initiatives.

Throughout the years, Steven Bell has worked on a number of high profile heritage projects of varying scope and complexity.  As an urban designer, he has extensive experience in residential, employment area, mixed use and large scale commercial projects including streetscape initiatives.  He has also worked closely with the development community, professional consultants, public bodies and agencies, and interest groups on issues related to intensification, context-sensitive development and community design.   Mr. Bell has also worked in Vancouver , and recently returned to the City of Toronto , now working with the City’s Cultural Assets office as Project Coordinator.  He is a registered professional planner with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and holds full membership with the Canadian Association of Professional Heritage Consultants (CAPHC).  As a member of CAPHC, Mr. Bell is presently coordinating its 2006 AGM/Symposium entitled “Heritage Preservation In The Age of Smart Growth”.

Mr. Bell has also authored several papers, professional articles and given presentations on the history and significance of landmark heritage properties, heritage districts, and noteworthy architects throughout the Toronto area.  His latest research into the impacts of intensification and sprawl on built heritage environments focuses on design aspects, and the blending of historic preservation and urban design theory with smart growth principles, as a means to encourage  sustainable development and the preservation of culturally significant properties, heritage districts and place-making initiatives.