Munk in the City is an ongoing experiential learning initiative organized by the Urban Policy Lab that brings Munk School students out of the classroom and into the community to see first-hand the challenges faced by residents across Toronto, and consider the urban policy solutions that can address these issues.
On September 2nd, 2024, the Urban Policy Lab arranged a walking tour for MPP students and alumni exploring the connections between public policy, community history, immigration, and urban dynamics in Kensington Market. The walk took place on a drizzly afternoon, providing participants with an intimate look at the Market’s vibrant history amidst Toronto’s urban growth. The tour was led by Alexander Carter, one of the Lab’s graduate fellows, who emphasized the critical role of immigration in shaping Kensington’s cultural and physical landscape, informing current urban policy considerations.
The tour began at St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Church and the No. 8 Hose Station, both originally constructed with support from the Denison family, who once owned the land. Alexander explained how Robert Denison, after inheriting the property in 1853, quickly subdivided the estate into individual plots suitable for building homes, selling them predominantly to immigrants. This subdivision transformed the area into a densely populated residential community, where homes gradually evolved into businesses, contributing significantly to Kensington Market’s urban fabric and cultural diversity.
Afterwards, Alexander led the group down Augusta Avenue, first stopping at Sonya’s Parkette, highlighting how Kensington Market honors influential community members such as Sonya Lunansky, the owner of what is now Augusta Fruit Market. Further along Augusta Avenue, Alexander brought the group to the former Nathanael Institute, now St. Stephen’s Community House, which occupied the site until 1962. He described its transformation from an Anglican mission initially targeting the Jewish community into a thriving community centre for local youth of all ethnicities in the neighborhood, symbolizing Kensington’s cultural integration and social cohesion.
As the group proceeded, they gathered around Bellevue Square Park at the center of the Market. Alexander led a discussion about Kensington’s Indigenous roots and the lasting impacts of successive waves of Jewish, Portuguese, and other immigrant communities. He highlighted how these communities shaped the neighborhood’s cultural landscape. Alexander also discussed the iconic television show “King of Kensington” as a reflection of the area’s multicultural identity and Canadian ethos. Before continuing, Alexander highlighted the challenges facing the Market today and reflected upon the role of community-led initiatives like the Kensington Market Community Land Trust, emphasizing local efforts to protect the market’s unique character from commercial pressures.
Alexander Carter leads a tour of Kensington Market for the Urban Policy Lab
Along Kensington Avenue, Alexander highlighted how Victorian homes were transformed into vibrant storefronts, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of Kensington’s immigrant communities. He drew attention to how these adaptations created a distinctive urban landscape, prompting reflections on contemporary planning issues such as zoning flexibility, cultural preservation, and community identity. Jewish residents initially sold kosher meat and Eastern European goods from pushcarts, gradually converting their homes into storefronts, often with informal extensions challenging zoning rules. This adaptation shaped Kensington Market’s unique identity. Alexander emphasized how such historical transformations inform contemporary urban policy discussions on inclusivity, heritage preservation, and community resilience.
