Regan Irish & Associates
Real Estate Blog

A Guide To a Successful Urban Development of a New Community

When you’re in the business of urban planning, your goal is to lead the community’s urban development while looking into the welfare of the people and the environment. Thorough planning is essential in creating a healthy, convenient, and efficient location to work and stay. An experienced urban planner will consider an eco-friendly and sustainable method that minimizes the risk of calamities and fosters longevity. With the emerging trends of big-box redevelopment, experiential commerce, and cohabitation, innovative approaches that cater to broader design elements are essential.

 

Roles of urban planners

 

Becoming an urban planner is just like any other job that will require a bachelor’s degree with a significant amount of related experience in public policy, planning, and other relevant endeavors. These people will work for the community to prioritize their best interests. However, the job gets challenging when factors like land use, resources, transportation, and economic development get in their way while planning the urban development.

 

Some of the typical requisites in their plans include creating green areas for the community, assessing vehicular trends, and applying transportation initiatives to meet residents’ needs, implement affordable living arrangements, and plan for new architectural buildings in the community. Thus, an urban planner should be equipped with classroom knowledge and considerable experience in planning and community service activities.

urban planner

Create progressive design

 

Whether it is meant for a new community area or extending the neighborhood to an original plan, one will limit themselves to what is only feasible for today. When you plan for a project, it focuses on the future objectives and the society’s goals. Begin to contemplate if the design concept is for the past, present, or future. When you’re steering towards the past and present, you will miss a lot of opportunities. Shift your perspective to a modern and more progressive plan since this will be crucial in shaping the future.

 

Look at the long-term benefits

 

Think big rather than looking at snippets of tomorrow, when you’re planning for the future. Generally, in urban planning, the time frame will involve two decades or so to finish a project and consider other elements like income projections and population growth. But remember, these are all forecasts. This results in crafting critical decisions and plans about a particular population rate that, at times, neglect to look into actual growth and the reason for such growth in that specific community. Instead of making a blueprint based on meeting the projections, shift to creating a sustainable design.

 

Look into all elements involved

 

In urban development, it should consider major employers like industrial companies, academic institutions, and local government while also factoring the tourism and other relevant businesses. Collaboration between charity organizations, firms, and nonprofit groups must be welcomed. An experienced urban planner should present development opportunities for small-time enterprises while developing innovation among companies and keeping the artistic sectors that provide cultural advantages to the community. The initial steps to this strategy are assessing and studying the environment’s recent condition and making an actionable plan to fulfill all these objectives.

 

Urban planning can be challenging when looking at it as a client or a community member. There are just several things involved and so many factors to incorporate in a single plan. And these goals must be for the long-term and not just for today. But as you gain experience in every project you handle, your skills in creating a master plan will develop. Consider every plan you make as a major contribution to the society you’re living in right now while also considering that it will also benefit your future kids.

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FALL MARKET KICKOFF: September 2025 Real Estate Market Update

As summer winds down, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate market is shifting once again—this time with an important boost from the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate cut. On September 17, 2025, the Bank lowered its policy interest rate to 2.5%, marking a significant move that is expected to reinvigorate buying activity across the region.

Market Snapshot: August 2025 (TRREB) 📊

According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), August brought encouraging signs of stability:

  • Sales: 6,232 transactions across the GTA, a 4.6% increase from August 2024.
  • New Listings: 13,119, down slightly year-over-year, helping balance supply.
  • Average Selling Price: $982,880, nearly flat compared to last year (+0.4%).
  • Trend: Balanced conditions are giving both buyers and sellers room to maneuver, with the recent rate cut expected to stimulate fall demand.

City & Regional Highlights

Toronto 🏙️

Toronto continues to see steady demand for condos and townhomes, appealing to buyers looking for affordability in the core. Detached homes are moving more cautiously, but price stability suggests confidence returning to the market.

Mississauga 🌆

Mississauga remains a buyer-friendly market, especially in the detached and semi-detached segments. With borrowing costs easing, families upsizing or relocating may find strong value in the fall.

Oakville 🌳

Luxury demand in Oakville is regaining traction. The combination of limited inventory and lower financing costs positions this market for an active fall season, especially for executive homes and lakefront properties.

Burlington 🌊

Burlington continues to attract buyers migrating west from Toronto. The city’s blend of affordability, lifestyle, and community feel has kept prices steady and competitive.

Muskoka 🛶

Cottage country remains strong, with buyers eyeing investment properties and second homes. While activity softened slightly through the summer, the rate drop could encourage more buyers to act before year-end.

What This Means for Buyers & Sellers

With interest rates now at their lowest level in two years, affordability is improving across the GTA and Muskoka. Buyers who were waiting on the sidelines are expected to re-enter the market this fall, while sellers may benefit from increased competition for well-priced homes.


At Regan Irish & Associates, we specialize in helping clients navigate market shifts with confidence. Whether you’re buying a luxury home, selling a family property, or investing in Muskoka, our market insight and negotiation expertise ensure you get the best results.

📍 1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5
📞 905.842.7677

🌐 Visit reganirish.com——

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August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update | Regan Irish

The August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update reflects renewed momentum and affordability in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, and Muskoka. Thanks to steady interest rates and appealing home prices, July proved surprisingly dynamic. Let’s dig into the numbers and what they mean for you.


Interest Rates Remain Stable — Affordability Fueling Activity

In July 2025, the Bank of Canada maintained its key rate at 2.75%, its third consecutive pause. With lower borrowing costs now more accessible, affordability is encouraging a wave of renewed buyer activity.


GTA Market Overview: Sales Surge, Prices Slightly Dip

  • Home Sales: 6,100+ transactions region-wide, marking a 10.9% increase YoY and the strongest July since 2021.
  • Month-over-Month: Seasonally adjusted sales rose 13% from June to approximately 5,744 units, the biggest monthly gain in nine months.
  • New Listings: Up 5.7% YoY, totaling 17,613 new offers.
  • Price Trends:
    • The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark fell 5.4% YoY.
    • The average GTA selling price dropped 5.5% YoY to around $1,051,719.
    • Word on the street indicates the HPI drifted slightly lower—about $979,000, down 0.2% from June.

What It Adds Up To: Buyers are back in force—sales are outpacing new listings while prices softened, creating renewed market opportunities.


City Highlights

Toronto

A more balanced landscape—but some segments remain soft. Condos and detached homes see inventory rising; semis are steadier.

Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington & Muskoka

While TRREB doesn’t break down by city in these reports, regional trends suggest:

  • Mississauga & Burlington: Strong rise in listings and dipping average prices give buyers leverage.
  • Oakville: Stability in demand for luxury keeps discounts modest.
  • Muskoka: Continued strong interest in sub-$2M waterfront properties should benefit from broader GTA momentum.

What This Means for You

  • For Buyers:
    Renewed affordability, rising inventory, and favorable interest rates make August a prime time to move.
  • For Sellers:
    A more balanced market—strategic pricing and quick response will be key to success.
  • For Investors & Cottage Buyers:
    Strong July sales in the GTA point to increasing investor interest; Muskoka remains a high-value lifestyle and investment destination.

Work With the GTA Real Estate Experts

Whether you’re planning to buy a Muskoka cottage, invest in a luxurious Oakville property, or explore options across Toronto, Mississauga, or Burlington, now is the time to act.

Regan Irish & Associates specializes in luxury, resale, and investment properties across the GTA and Muskoka. Our market insight and negotiation skills help you get the best results—whether buying, selling, or investing.

📍 1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5
📞 905.842.7677
🌐 Visit reganirish.com

💼 Let’s make today’s market your opportunity—contact us today!

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Ultimate Guide to Downsizing Your Home in Canada

Downsizing is on the rise across Canada, with more homeowners seeking simpler, more affordable living. This guide explores why and when to downsize, how to plan the move, and what to consider when choosing your next home.