Zhixi Cecilia Zhuang - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Zhixi Cecilia Zhuang
Town planning review, Jun 24, 2024
Today's immigrants to Canada are increasingly and directly settling into suburban areas of major ... more Today's immigrants to Canada are increasingly and directly settling into suburban areas of major cities; a trend that has resulted in new retail opportunities: suburban ethnic shopping centres are a growing phenomenon in areas with major immigrant settlement. This paper discusses the development and retrofitting processes of three suburban Chinese shopping malls in the Toronto area. The paper explores how these malls successfully regenerated areas once affected by business decline and how they can act as a catalyst to develop a new urban form that makes the suburban landscape less uniform and more sustainable. Various perspectives from key players involved in ethnic retail activities and developments were collected, including surveys with entrepreneurs and shoppers, and semi-structured interviews with city councillors, city planners, developers, and an architect. The paper suggests that municipalities could invest in established ethnic retail places as an innovative means of "retrofitting suburbia."
The ethnic retail phenomenon is a highly recognizable symbol of Canada's multiculturalism. Howeve... more The ethnic retail phenomenon is a highly recognizable symbol of Canada's multiculturalism. However, very little research has examined how 'ethnicity' is reflected through physical retail spaces or how a neighbourhood's ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed through ethnic retail spaces. Interviews and surveys with key informants in four ethnic retail neighbourhoods in Toronto, Canada revealed the dynamics of changing ethnic retail landscapes, how ethnicity may be physically manifested, and the complex meanings behind architectural or structural changes. The results can inform municipalities about the importance of appropriate public policies in the areas of urban design, neighbourhood identity, and economic development to help enhance the flourishing ethnic landscapes.
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Cana... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Canada's largest metropolitan regions. One notable phenomenon is the rise of ethnic retail strips and centers as physical markers of increasing multiculturalism. The dynamics of ethnic retailing pose various opportunities and challenges for municipalities; yet, our knowledge of its complexities is limited and current literature on multicultural planning offers little useful guidance in planning practice. This study examines three retail strips in the inner city of Toronto, namely East Chinatown, the Gerrard India Bazaar, and Corso Italia, and one suburban Asian theme mall, the Pacific Mall in the City of Markham in an attempt to identify the role of urban planning in responding to the rise of ethnic retail neighbourhoods. The findings of the four cases indicate that urban planners have been unable to intervene actively in ethnic retail and direct its development and growth. The planning legislative structure and the lack of policy support hinder planners' capacity to be proactive. Planners cannot work alone to build multicultural cities. This paper concludes on the importance of municipal intervention and interdepartmental collaboration as useful implications for multicultural planning practice.
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Wellbeing, Space and Society, Apr 25, 2023
Smaller cities are seeking to attract and retain migrants (e.g. immigrants, refugees, and tempora... more Smaller cities are seeking to attract and retain migrants (e.g. immigrants, refugees, and temporary foreign workers) for population and economic growth yet may lack the physical and social infrastructure to support settlement and integration. More empirical research is needed to reveal how migrants navigate and experience smaller cities on a daily basis, and to what extent these places are conducive to retaining and supporting the wellbeing (e.g., quality of life and sense of belonging) of migrants. This study utilizes the concept of ‘Third Places’ to gain a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the wellbeing of migrants in smaller cities. Interviews with migrants living in smaller cities across Canada were conducted. The findings reveal that third places play an essential role in shaping migrants’ lived experiences in smaller cities and have an impact on their wellbeing when considering the opportunity for social interaction, and accessibility to ethnocultural amenities (e.g. food and retail), social services, and nature. We propose the imperative of investigating and improving third places as social infrastructure may benefit local and migrant populations in smaller cities and help foster community cohesion.
Academy of Management Proceedings
Recent waves of global migration have led to profound social, cultural, economic, political, phys... more Recent waves of global migration have led to profound social, cultural, economic, political, physical, and environmental effects in metropolitan regions of major immigrant settlement. As noted in the World Migration Report, more scholars are exploring the relationship between migrants and cities.1 Cities play an important role in the processes of immigrant settlement and integration. Not only do they serve as reception areas for newcomers to live, work, learn, play, and socialize like other city inhabitants; they are also important places for building diverse, inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities in the long term. It has become imperative for municipalities to understand the dynamics and complexity of the global migration phenomenon and tackle the challenges and opportunities it presents locally. This report presents the key takeaways from Toronto’s planning practices as part of the Building Inclusive Cities initiative.
Canada and International Affairs
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada’s metropo... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada’s metropolitan regions with two major consequences: increasing ethnocultural diversity and growing concentrations of immigrants in metropolitan areas. These changes have presented unprecedented challenges and opportunities to local municipalities, who have no jurisdictional authority over federal immigration policies, but are nevertheless responsible for the provision of services and social and physical infrastructure to facilitate and support immigrant settlement and integration. This chapter discusses the multifaceted challenges faced by local municipal planning systems in various forms, from housing, transportation, retailing, places of worship, to placemaking in the public realm and community-building. Municipalities should consider meaningful and community- and equity-based approaches to engage immigrants and support inclusive community-building. It is ultimately the integration of immigrants into Canada’s multicultural society, not their mere presence, that builds and strengthens a nation.
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 2022
Purpose The stay-at-home orders were necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 but have worsene... more Purpose The stay-at-home orders were necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 but have worsened social isolation and loneliness among older persons. Strategies to maintain social connections have been proposed. It is unclear if the reported experiences of social isolation and loneliness are comparable for older immigrants and if the proposed strategies are relevant to this vulnerable population. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Design/methodology/approach This scoping review addressed two questions: What evidence exists on the experience of social isolation and loneliness in older immigrants? What strategies can be beneficial to keep older immigrants socially connected during the COVID-19 pandemic? The search for relevant articles was done in several databases covering the scientific and gray literature, using keywords that reflect the diversity of terminology referring to the main concepts (isolation and loneliness) and target population (older immigrants). Discus...
<jats:p>Ethnic retail neighbourhoods in the Toronto area are not only indicators of Canada&... more <jats:p>Ethnic retail neighbourhoods in the Toronto area are not only indicators of Canada's ethnocultural diversity, but also important social places where ethnic businesses have made longlasting physical impressions on urban landscapes. This paper aims to investigate the social, economic, and physical processes of the making of ethnic retail places and the role of ethnic entrepreneurs in these processes. It explores three ethnic retail strips in Toronto's inner city targeting the Chinese, South Asian, and Italian business communities. Key informant interviews, shopper intercept surveys, and field observations were conducted. The findings reveal profound inter-group differences, and demonstrate that ethnic entrepreneurs are the driving force behind the social, economic, and physical processes of neighbourhood transformation. These findings will help bridge research gaps associated with the spatial and physical aspects of ethnic entrepreneurship and offer empirical knowledge for municipalities.</jats:p>
This study explores the evolution of the neighbourhood commercial landscape in Toronto. First, we... more This study explores the evolution of the neighbourhood commercial landscape in Toronto. First, we review the major character and historical changes of Toronto’s commercial landscape, most notably Queen Street and Kensington Market; how they emerged and how they continue to exist today. We then explore present day trends of neighbourhood commercial development. We discuss how to retain main street commerce (benefits, threats, and the role of Business Improvement Areas). We also investigate the challenge and success of growing new tower-based businesses in Toronto (looking to Regent Park and Thorncliffe Park as examples). Next, we look to the future of retail, exploring innovative business approaches from Toronto and elsewhere, including models such as shared spaces, pop-up retailing, mixed use light industrial, and small-space curation. Based on the insight from the literature, best practices, business performance, site observations, and interviews with key informants, we identify ac...
Town Planning Review, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic compelled decision makers to enforce strict physical distancing and isolati... more The COVID-19 pandemic compelled decision makers to enforce strict physical distancing and isolation measures in order to 'flatten the curve' and contain the spread of the communicable disease These public-health measures have instigated a global conversation amongst urbanists, planners and policy makers about the future of cities in general, and the implications of the pandemic for urban density and the use of public space in particular However, absent from this worldwide discussion have been explicit considerations of how to integrate equity and inclusion into these post-COVID-19 urban futures More specifically, there is a paucity of dialogue on city building and recovery from the perspective of minority groups, and little consideration of how to engage with diverse communities and leverage their knowledge for more equitable and inclusive recovery in local communities COVID-19 has notably exacerbated urban inequalities among marginalized groups, including racial and religio...
Toronto’s ethnic retail clusters have not only sprouted across the inner city but have also speck... more Toronto’s ethnic retail clusters have not only sprouted across the inner city but have also speckled suburban landscapes. Driven by the increasing settlement of contemporary immigrants in the suburbs, ethnic businesses and ethnic economies have flourished and become the catalyst for neighborhood change and suburban retrofitting. Research has demonstrated that the development of immigrant entrepreneurship has contributed to social cohesion and economic vitality. What remains unexplored is the role of ethnic businesses in influencing space, (re)defining place, and (re)shaping community. Furthermore, little is known about how ethnic entrepreneurs interact with other key players in city- and community-building processes and affect policy development, or vice versa. This chapter explores eight urban ethnic enclaves in the inner city of Toronto based on existing studies and eight Chinese and South Asian retail clusters in Toronto’s suburbs through extensive field research and interviews a...
Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 2013
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Cana... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Canada’s largest metropolitan regions. One notable phenomenon is the rise of ethnic retail strips and centers as physical markers of increasing multiculturalism. The dynamics of ethnic retailing pose various opportunities and challenges for municipalities; yet, our knowledge of its complexities is limited and current literature on multicultural planning offers little useful guidance in planning practice. This study examines three retail strips in the inner city of Toronto, namely East Chinatown, the Gerrard India Bazaar, and Corso Italia, and one suburban Asian theme mall, the Pacific Mall in the City of Markham in an attempt to identify the role of urban planning in responding to the rise of ethnic retail neighbourhoods. The findings of the four cases indicate that urban planners have been unable to intervene actively in ethnic retail and direct its development and growth. The planning legi...
Abstract: The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada... more Abstract: The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada's metropolitan regions. One of the significant markers of this change are ethnic retail activities that manifest in ethnic shopping strips and centres. The dynamics of ethnic ...
Town planning review, Jun 24, 2024
Today's immigrants to Canada are increasingly and directly settling into suburban areas of major ... more Today's immigrants to Canada are increasingly and directly settling into suburban areas of major cities; a trend that has resulted in new retail opportunities: suburban ethnic shopping centres are a growing phenomenon in areas with major immigrant settlement. This paper discusses the development and retrofitting processes of three suburban Chinese shopping malls in the Toronto area. The paper explores how these malls successfully regenerated areas once affected by business decline and how they can act as a catalyst to develop a new urban form that makes the suburban landscape less uniform and more sustainable. Various perspectives from key players involved in ethnic retail activities and developments were collected, including surveys with entrepreneurs and shoppers, and semi-structured interviews with city councillors, city planners, developers, and an architect. The paper suggests that municipalities could invest in established ethnic retail places as an innovative means of "retrofitting suburbia."
The ethnic retail phenomenon is a highly recognizable symbol of Canada's multiculturalism. Howeve... more The ethnic retail phenomenon is a highly recognizable symbol of Canada's multiculturalism. However, very little research has examined how 'ethnicity' is reflected through physical retail spaces or how a neighbourhood's ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed through ethnic retail spaces. Interviews and surveys with key informants in four ethnic retail neighbourhoods in Toronto, Canada revealed the dynamics of changing ethnic retail landscapes, how ethnicity may be physically manifested, and the complex meanings behind architectural or structural changes. The results can inform municipalities about the importance of appropriate public policies in the areas of urban design, neighbourhood identity, and economic development to help enhance the flourishing ethnic landscapes.
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Cana... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Canada's largest metropolitan regions. One notable phenomenon is the rise of ethnic retail strips and centers as physical markers of increasing multiculturalism. The dynamics of ethnic retailing pose various opportunities and challenges for municipalities; yet, our knowledge of its complexities is limited and current literature on multicultural planning offers little useful guidance in planning practice. This study examines three retail strips in the inner city of Toronto, namely East Chinatown, the Gerrard India Bazaar, and Corso Italia, and one suburban Asian theme mall, the Pacific Mall in the City of Markham in an attempt to identify the role of urban planning in responding to the rise of ethnic retail neighbourhoods. The findings of the four cases indicate that urban planners have been unable to intervene actively in ethnic retail and direct its development and growth. The planning legislative structure and the lack of policy support hinder planners' capacity to be proactive. Planners cannot work alone to build multicultural cities. This paper concludes on the importance of municipal intervention and interdepartmental collaboration as useful implications for multicultural planning practice.
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Wellbeing, Space and Society, Apr 25, 2023
Smaller cities are seeking to attract and retain migrants (e.g. immigrants, refugees, and tempora... more Smaller cities are seeking to attract and retain migrants (e.g. immigrants, refugees, and temporary foreign workers) for population and economic growth yet may lack the physical and social infrastructure to support settlement and integration. More empirical research is needed to reveal how migrants navigate and experience smaller cities on a daily basis, and to what extent these places are conducive to retaining and supporting the wellbeing (e.g., quality of life and sense of belonging) of migrants. This study utilizes the concept of ‘Third Places’ to gain a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the wellbeing of migrants in smaller cities. Interviews with migrants living in smaller cities across Canada were conducted. The findings reveal that third places play an essential role in shaping migrants’ lived experiences in smaller cities and have an impact on their wellbeing when considering the opportunity for social interaction, and accessibility to ethnocultural amenities (e.g. food and retail), social services, and nature. We propose the imperative of investigating and improving third places as social infrastructure may benefit local and migrant populations in smaller cities and help foster community cohesion.
Academy of Management Proceedings
Recent waves of global migration have led to profound social, cultural, economic, political, phys... more Recent waves of global migration have led to profound social, cultural, economic, political, physical, and environmental effects in metropolitan regions of major immigrant settlement. As noted in the World Migration Report, more scholars are exploring the relationship between migrants and cities.1 Cities play an important role in the processes of immigrant settlement and integration. Not only do they serve as reception areas for newcomers to live, work, learn, play, and socialize like other city inhabitants; they are also important places for building diverse, inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities in the long term. It has become imperative for municipalities to understand the dynamics and complexity of the global migration phenomenon and tackle the challenges and opportunities it presents locally. This report presents the key takeaways from Toronto’s planning practices as part of the Building Inclusive Cities initiative.
Canada and International Affairs
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada’s metropo... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada’s metropolitan regions with two major consequences: increasing ethnocultural diversity and growing concentrations of immigrants in metropolitan areas. These changes have presented unprecedented challenges and opportunities to local municipalities, who have no jurisdictional authority over federal immigration policies, but are nevertheless responsible for the provision of services and social and physical infrastructure to facilitate and support immigrant settlement and integration. This chapter discusses the multifaceted challenges faced by local municipal planning systems in various forms, from housing, transportation, retailing, places of worship, to placemaking in the public realm and community-building. Municipalities should consider meaningful and community- and equity-based approaches to engage immigrants and support inclusive community-building. It is ultimately the integration of immigrants into Canada’s multicultural society, not their mere presence, that builds and strengthens a nation.
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 2022
Purpose The stay-at-home orders were necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 but have worsene... more Purpose The stay-at-home orders were necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 but have worsened social isolation and loneliness among older persons. Strategies to maintain social connections have been proposed. It is unclear if the reported experiences of social isolation and loneliness are comparable for older immigrants and if the proposed strategies are relevant to this vulnerable population. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Design/methodology/approach This scoping review addressed two questions: What evidence exists on the experience of social isolation and loneliness in older immigrants? What strategies can be beneficial to keep older immigrants socially connected during the COVID-19 pandemic? The search for relevant articles was done in several databases covering the scientific and gray literature, using keywords that reflect the diversity of terminology referring to the main concepts (isolation and loneliness) and target population (older immigrants). Discus...
<jats:p>Ethnic retail neighbourhoods in the Toronto area are not only indicators of Canada&... more <jats:p>Ethnic retail neighbourhoods in the Toronto area are not only indicators of Canada's ethnocultural diversity, but also important social places where ethnic businesses have made longlasting physical impressions on urban landscapes. This paper aims to investigate the social, economic, and physical processes of the making of ethnic retail places and the role of ethnic entrepreneurs in these processes. It explores three ethnic retail strips in Toronto's inner city targeting the Chinese, South Asian, and Italian business communities. Key informant interviews, shopper intercept surveys, and field observations were conducted. The findings reveal profound inter-group differences, and demonstrate that ethnic entrepreneurs are the driving force behind the social, economic, and physical processes of neighbourhood transformation. These findings will help bridge research gaps associated with the spatial and physical aspects of ethnic entrepreneurship and offer empirical knowledge for municipalities.</jats:p>
This study explores the evolution of the neighbourhood commercial landscape in Toronto. First, we... more This study explores the evolution of the neighbourhood commercial landscape in Toronto. First, we review the major character and historical changes of Toronto’s commercial landscape, most notably Queen Street and Kensington Market; how they emerged and how they continue to exist today. We then explore present day trends of neighbourhood commercial development. We discuss how to retain main street commerce (benefits, threats, and the role of Business Improvement Areas). We also investigate the challenge and success of growing new tower-based businesses in Toronto (looking to Regent Park and Thorncliffe Park as examples). Next, we look to the future of retail, exploring innovative business approaches from Toronto and elsewhere, including models such as shared spaces, pop-up retailing, mixed use light industrial, and small-space curation. Based on the insight from the literature, best practices, business performance, site observations, and interviews with key informants, we identify ac...
Town Planning Review, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic compelled decision makers to enforce strict physical distancing and isolati... more The COVID-19 pandemic compelled decision makers to enforce strict physical distancing and isolation measures in order to 'flatten the curve' and contain the spread of the communicable disease These public-health measures have instigated a global conversation amongst urbanists, planners and policy makers about the future of cities in general, and the implications of the pandemic for urban density and the use of public space in particular However, absent from this worldwide discussion have been explicit considerations of how to integrate equity and inclusion into these post-COVID-19 urban futures More specifically, there is a paucity of dialogue on city building and recovery from the perspective of minority groups, and little consideration of how to engage with diverse communities and leverage their knowledge for more equitable and inclusive recovery in local communities COVID-19 has notably exacerbated urban inequalities among marginalized groups, including racial and religio...
Toronto’s ethnic retail clusters have not only sprouted across the inner city but have also speck... more Toronto’s ethnic retail clusters have not only sprouted across the inner city but have also speckled suburban landscapes. Driven by the increasing settlement of contemporary immigrants in the suburbs, ethnic businesses and ethnic economies have flourished and become the catalyst for neighborhood change and suburban retrofitting. Research has demonstrated that the development of immigrant entrepreneurship has contributed to social cohesion and economic vitality. What remains unexplored is the role of ethnic businesses in influencing space, (re)defining place, and (re)shaping community. Furthermore, little is known about how ethnic entrepreneurs interact with other key players in city- and community-building processes and affect policy development, or vice versa. This chapter explores eight urban ethnic enclaves in the inner city of Toronto based on existing studies and eight Chinese and South Asian retail clusters in Toronto’s suburbs through extensive field research and interviews a...
Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 2013
The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Cana... more The recent waves of immigration have dramatically impacted urban landscapes and economies of Canada’s largest metropolitan regions. One notable phenomenon is the rise of ethnic retail strips and centers as physical markers of increasing multiculturalism. The dynamics of ethnic retailing pose various opportunities and challenges for municipalities; yet, our knowledge of its complexities is limited and current literature on multicultural planning offers little useful guidance in planning practice. This study examines three retail strips in the inner city of Toronto, namely East Chinatown, the Gerrard India Bazaar, and Corso Italia, and one suburban Asian theme mall, the Pacific Mall in the City of Markham in an attempt to identify the role of urban planning in responding to the rise of ethnic retail neighbourhoods. The findings of the four cases indicate that urban planners have been unable to intervene actively in ethnic retail and direct its development and growth. The planning legi...
Abstract: The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada... more Abstract: The recent waves of immigration have dramatically changed the urban landscape of Canada's metropolitan regions. One of the significant markers of this change are ethnic retail activities that manifest in ethnic shopping strips and centres. The dynamics of ethnic ...