Shauna Brail
Biographic Data
| ID | 373018 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Shauna Brail |
| GIVEN NAMES | Shauna |
| FAMILY NAME | Brail |
| SIGNATURE | BRAIL S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Toronto |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7022-3475 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 28 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Institutional insights for smart cities and urban innovation: Lessons from building data dashboards
Urban innovation in the smart city: Technologies, transformations and new regimes of governance
Adaptive governance, hybrid temporary urbanism, and outdoor spaces: Post-pandemic legacies in New York and Toronto
This paper reflects on the development and evolution of hybrid forms of temporary urbanism, as well as the post-pandemic legacies of adaptive governance. Informed by 34 interviews with municipal, community, and business association leaders, it contributes to debates about emergency urbanism and the politics and governance of public health associated with the adaptation of streets and sidewalks in New York City and Toronto. We find that the initia…
Progress in Placemaking
Placemaking – a concept, methodology and planning tool used to shape and reshape public spaces1 – is an enduring element of urban planning. One of the earliest scholarly mentions of placemaking app
From ride hailing to food hailing: Understanding on-demand food delivery through platform urbanism and urban policy in Canadian cities
Cities, Covid-19, and counting
The COVID-19 pandemic had immediate and potentially long-lasting impacts on cities. Yet, the ability to assess, monitor, and analyze the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic has been stymied by data challenges. The pandemic elevated the need for, and reliance on, a wide range of data sources. We discuss four data challenges related to understanding the impact of the pandemic on cities. First, we explore how shifts in public policy and the decisio…
Rebuilding Public Housing in Regent Park: The Shifting Dynamics of Financialized Redevelopment Models
This article examines the redevelopment of Toronto’s Regent Park, a neighborhood formerly comprised exclusively of public housing. Since 2006, it has been undergoing a transformation into a mixed income neighborhood. Through interviews and document analysis, the paper traces the complex and changing development agreements as redevelopment progresses, highlighting the state’s entrepreneurial efforts and the dynamic nature of urban planning and pol…
Covid-19 and the Future of Urban Policy and Planning
The pandemic has brought major disruptions to cities, particularly in patterns of work and transportation. Predictions of the death of downtowns may have been premature, but urban planners are rethinking the traditional central business district, transit systems, public spaces, and other key features of city life as many office workers remain slow to return to old routines. As they face the prospect of lower tax revenues, governments will have a …
Impacts and implications for the post-Covid city: The case of Toronto
Since the onset of COVID-19, scholars have questioned whether the pandemic will alter the fundamentals propelling the growth of global cities. Using a case study of Toronto, the paper examines and analyses changes impacting the city because of the pandemic, with a focus on work, mobility and housing. In assessing pandemic-related disruption, it outlines the experiences of the early phases of recovery and expectations of continued uncertainty. Mov…
Governance matters: Regulating ride hailing platforms in Canada's largest city‐regions
While scholars acknowledge the important role played by regulators in managing ride hailing and its impacts on cities, few studies have explored the implications for developing ride hailing regulations at different levels of governance. This paper examines regulatory approaches to ride hailing in Canada's three largest metropolitan regions: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Though united by a national border, these three regions are subject to un…
Patterns amidst the turmoil: Covid-19 and cities
Covid-19, urban economic resilience and the pandemic pivot: Toronto’s restaurant scene
Restaurants, fundamental to Toronto’s urban and cultural economy, experienced significant disruption because of extended closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We examine data harvested from Yelp Business Search Endpoint on restaurant openings and closures in Toronto between May 2020 and May 2021. Our analysis shows that, despite expectations to the contrary, more restaurants opened than closed during this time. Geographically, similar numbers of…
Urban Science: Integrated Theory from the First Cities to Sustainable Metropolises
World cities of ride-hailing
Drawing on an original database created to assess the early emergence of a disruptive industry, this paper analyzes the urban economic geography of eleven ride-hailing firms, each with a market valuation in excess of $1 billion. The paper investigates the locations of headquarters and secondary offices, exploring patterns and drawing connections to the literatures on world cities, innovation, and agglomeration. The paper concludes that ride-haili…
Community leadership and engagement after the mix: The transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park
The CAD$1 billion transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood from Canada’s largest public housing site to a mixed income community is likely to inform the next several decades of public housing redevelopment policy both nationally and internationally. This paper focuses on the process and impacts of large-scale redevelopment, in the context of attempts to build a physically and socially inclusive neighbourhood incorporating non-market …
Promoting innovation locally: Municipal regulation as barrier or boost
This paper examines a seemingly abrupt series of shifts that have the potential to completely transform cities as a direct result of a rising digital economy. It takes into account the convergence of research from three areas of study: (a) urban concentrations of innovative activities, (b) the platform economy, and (c) municipal regulation. A case study discussion about the role of municipal regulation in ride-hailing, with particular emphasis on…
Experiencing the city: Urban Studies students and service learning
Service-learning represents a method of learning in which students learn through volunteering, while at the same time being asked to reflect on their experiences and tie together experience with classroom-based material, thereby developing their learning through service activities. This paper explores the role and value of service learning in Urban Studies and is based on a review of student reflective journals written following a service-learnin…
The Productive Role of 'Quality of Place: A Case Study of Fashion Designers in Toronto
Within the urban economic development literature, there has been considerable debate concerning the role of 'quality of place' in attracting and retaining talent. Arguments have been polarized, however, between those suggesting that quality of place plays a key role in urban growth, and those arguing that jobs and production networks are more important. In this paper we reconcile the debates by emphasizing the productive function of quality of pl…
World cities of ride-hailing
Drawing on an original database created to assess the early emergence of a disruptive industry, this paper analyzes the urban economic geography of eleven ride-hailing firms, each with a market valuation in excess of $1 billion. The paper investigates the locations of headquarters and secondary offices, exploring patterns and drawing connections to the literatures on world cities, innovation, and agglomeration. The paper concludes that ride-haili…
The Productive Role of 'Quality of Place: A Case Study of Fashion Designers in Toronto
Within the urban economic development literature, there has been considerable debate concerning the role of 'quality of place' in attracting and retaining talent. Arguments have been polarized, however, between those suggesting that quality of place plays a key role in urban growth, and those arguing that jobs and production networks are more important. In this paper we reconcile the debates by emphasizing the productive function of quality of pl…
Promoting innovation locally: Municipal regulation as barrier or boost
This paper examines a seemingly abrupt series of shifts that have the potential to completely transform cities as a direct result of a rising digital economy. It takes into account the convergence of research from three areas of study: (a) urban concentrations of innovative activities, (b) the platform economy, and (c) municipal regulation. A case study discussion about the role of municipal regulation in ride-hailing, with particular emphasis on…
Impacts and implications for the post-Covid city: The case of Toronto
Since the onset of COVID-19, scholars have questioned whether the pandemic will alter the fundamentals propelling the growth of global cities. Using a case study of Toronto, the paper examines and analyses changes impacting the city because of the pandemic, with a focus on work, mobility and housing. In assessing pandemic-related disruption, it outlines the experiences of the early phases of recovery and expectations of continued uncertainty. Mov…
Governance matters: Regulating ride hailing platforms in Canada's largest city‐regions
While scholars acknowledge the important role played by regulators in managing ride hailing and its impacts on cities, few studies have explored the implications for developing ride hailing regulations at different levels of governance. This paper examines regulatory approaches to ride hailing in Canada's three largest metropolitan regions: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Though united by a national border, these three regions are subject to un…
Community leadership and engagement after the mix: The transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park
The CAD$1 billion transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood from Canada’s largest public housing site to a mixed income community is likely to inform the next several decades of public housing redevelopment policy both nationally and internationally. This paper focuses on the process and impacts of large-scale redevelopment, in the context of attempts to build a physically and socially inclusive neighbourhood incorporating non-market …
Experiencing the city: Urban Studies students and service learning
Service-learning represents a method of learning in which students learn through volunteering, while at the same time being asked to reflect on their experiences and tie together experience with classroom-based material, thereby developing their learning through service activities. This paper explores the role and value of service learning in Urban Studies and is based on a review of student reflective journals written following a service-learnin…
Covid-19, urban economic resilience and the pandemic pivot: Toronto’s restaurant scene
Restaurants, fundamental to Toronto’s urban and cultural economy, experienced significant disruption because of extended closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We examine data harvested from Yelp Business Search Endpoint on restaurant openings and closures in Toronto between May 2020 and May 2021. Our analysis shows that, despite expectations to the contrary, more restaurants opened than closed during this time. Geographically, similar numbers of…
The Productive Role of 'Quality of Place: A Case Study of Fashion Designers in Toronto
Within the urban economic development literature, there has been considerable debate concerning the role of 'quality of place' in attracting and retaining talent. Arguments have been polarized, however, between those suggesting that quality of place plays a key role in urban growth, and those arguing that jobs and production networks are more important. In this paper we reconcile the debates by emphasizing the productive function of quality of pl…
Experiencing the city: Urban Studies students and service learning
Service-learning represents a method of learning in which students learn through volunteering, while at the same time being asked to reflect on their experiences and tie together experience with classroom-based material, thereby developing their learning through service activities. This paper explores the role and value of service learning in Urban Studies and is based on a review of student reflective journals written following a service-learnin…
Community leadership and engagement after the mix: The transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park
The CAD$1 billion transformation of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood from Canada’s largest public housing site to a mixed income community is likely to inform the next several decades of public housing redevelopment policy both nationally and internationally. This paper focuses on the process and impacts of large-scale redevelopment, in the context of attempts to build a physically and socially inclusive neighbourhood incorporating non-market …
Promoting innovation locally: Municipal regulation as barrier or boost
This paper examines a seemingly abrupt series of shifts that have the potential to completely transform cities as a direct result of a rising digital economy. It takes into account the convergence of research from three areas of study: (a) urban concentrations of innovative activities, (b) the platform economy, and (c) municipal regulation. A case study discussion about the role of municipal regulation in ride-hailing, with particular emphasis on…
Urban Science: Integrated Theory from the First Cities to Sustainable Metropolises
World cities of ride-hailing
Drawing on an original database created to assess the early emergence of a disruptive industry, this paper analyzes the urban economic geography of eleven ride-hailing firms, each with a market valuation in excess of $1 billion. The paper investigates the locations of headquarters and secondary offices, exploring patterns and drawing connections to the literatures on world cities, innovation, and agglomeration. The paper concludes that ride-haili…
Patterns amidst the turmoil: Covid-19 and cities
Covid-19, urban economic resilience and the pandemic pivot: Toronto’s restaurant scene
Restaurants, fundamental to Toronto’s urban and cultural economy, experienced significant disruption because of extended closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We examine data harvested from Yelp Business Search Endpoint on restaurant openings and closures in Toronto between May 2020 and May 2021. Our analysis shows that, despite expectations to the contrary, more restaurants opened than closed during this time. Geographically, similar numbers of…
Covid-19 and the Future of Urban Policy and Planning
The pandemic has brought major disruptions to cities, particularly in patterns of work and transportation. Predictions of the death of downtowns may have been premature, but urban planners are rethinking the traditional central business district, transit systems, public spaces, and other key features of city life as many office workers remain slow to return to old routines. As they face the prospect of lower tax revenues, governments will have a …
Impacts and implications for the post-Covid city: The case of Toronto
Since the onset of COVID-19, scholars have questioned whether the pandemic will alter the fundamentals propelling the growth of global cities. Using a case study of Toronto, the paper examines and analyses changes impacting the city because of the pandemic, with a focus on work, mobility and housing. In assessing pandemic-related disruption, it outlines the experiences of the early phases of recovery and expectations of continued uncertainty. Mov…
Governance matters: Regulating ride hailing platforms in Canada's largest city‐regions
While scholars acknowledge the important role played by regulators in managing ride hailing and its impacts on cities, few studies have explored the implications for developing ride hailing regulations at different levels of governance. This paper examines regulatory approaches to ride hailing in Canada's three largest metropolitan regions: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Though united by a national border, these three regions are subject to un…
Cities, Covid-19, and counting
The COVID-19 pandemic had immediate and potentially long-lasting impacts on cities. Yet, the ability to assess, monitor, and analyze the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic has been stymied by data challenges. The pandemic elevated the need for, and reliance on, a wide range of data sources. We discuss four data challenges related to understanding the impact of the pandemic on cities. First, we explore how shifts in public policy and the decisio…
Rebuilding Public Housing in Regent Park: The Shifting Dynamics of Financialized Redevelopment Models
This article examines the redevelopment of Toronto’s Regent Park, a neighborhood formerly comprised exclusively of public housing. Since 2006, it has been undergoing a transformation into a mixed income neighborhood. Through interviews and document analysis, the paper traces the complex and changing development agreements as redevelopment progresses, highlighting the state’s entrepreneurial efforts and the dynamic nature of urban planning and pol…
Progress in Placemaking
Placemaking – a concept, methodology and planning tool used to shape and reshape public spaces1 – is an enduring element of urban planning. One of the earliest scholarly mentions of placemaking app
From ride hailing to food hailing: Understanding on-demand food delivery through platform urbanism and urban policy in Canadian cities
Institutional insights for smart cities and urban innovation: Lessons from building data dashboards
Urban innovation in the smart city: Technologies, transformations and new regimes of governance
Adaptive governance, hybrid temporary urbanism, and outdoor spaces: Post-pandemic legacies in New York and Toronto
This paper reflects on the development and evolution of hybrid forms of temporary urbanism, as well as the post-pandemic legacies of adaptive governance. Informed by 34 interviews with municipal, community, and business association leaders, it contributes to debates about emergency urbanism and the politics and governance of public health associated with the adaptation of streets and sidewalks in New York City and Toronto. We find that the initia…
Political science (11 works) · Geography (10 works) · Sociology (10 works) · Business (7 works) · Economic growth (7 works) · Economics (7 works) · Engineering (6 works) · Economic geography (5 works) · Pandemic (5 works) · Urban planning (5 works)