What We Do
Planning
Responsible planning understands and respects the relationship between people, buildings and spaces.
Urban Design
Art meets science to sculpt outdoor space and strike a balance between built and natural forms. GSP Group Urban Designers add character and charm to urban areas by shaping buildings, streets, villages and cities into memorable places.
Landscape Architecture
Knowing the elements needed to achieve outstanding solutions. Striking the essential balance between form and function, efficiency and pleasure, built and natural environments.
Cemetery Planning and Design
GSP Group acquired Hilton Landmarks, specializing in cemetery planning and design, to expand our role supporting municipalities as they prepare for long-term cemetery sustainability.
Our Services
PLANNING
Official Plan and Zoning By-law Reviews
Master Plans
Community and Secondary Plans
Municipal Planning Advisory Services
Site Planning
Subdivision and Condominium Plans
Urban and Rural Development Approvals
Development Feasibility and Optimal Use Studies
CPTED Analysis and Design
LEED Neighbourhood Design
Community Improvement Plans
Project Management
Public Consultation and Facilitation
Expert Testimony
Expropriation and Compensation Studies
Planning Justification Reports
Recreational Master Planning
URBAN DESIGN
Design Guidelines
Master Plans
Heritage Conservation Plans
Height and Massing Studies
Community Improvement Studies
Streetscape and Public Realm Plans
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Parks, Recreation and Trails Planning and Design
Cemetery Planning and Design
Streetscape
Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Campus Outdoor Spaces
Site Plan Approval
Vegetation and Tree Management Plans
Contract Administration
Construction Administration
Site Inspection
CEMETERY PLANNING AND DESIGN
Land Needs Analysis
Business Analysis
Feasibility Studies
Master Plans
Detailed Design
Perpetual Care Fund Analysis
Ground Penetrating Radar
Client Testimonials
It has been my experience that GSP Group is always very thorough and logical, attentive to detail, knowledgeable, responsive and very professional. In addition, I would note GSP Group has been our planning consultant for almost three years and that experience has been only positive.
As a school board, we have little experience in developing lands on this scale (18 acres) and have depended upon the professional advice and planning services of GSP to guide and support us in this complicated project.
The consultants listened to the community and recorded their input accurately and in detail. The consultants incorporated in detail the views of the community in their (Downtown Thorold Streetscape Master Plan) report. The concept drawings which were displayed are excellent.
We were running into problems with our planning applications, so we contacted GSP Group. With their experience and guidance, they were able to put together the right team to address issues and successfully attain the necessary approvals. GSP Group won me over with their knowledge and resolution of issues in the complexities of approvals so that I could get on with my passion for making beer and kettle chips from farm products grown locally.
Awards
Community Design Award for Hunt Club Estates
The Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians presented GSP Group Senior Designer Steve Loughran, CPT, with a Community Design Award for his work on the Hunt Club Estates Neighbourhood mixed-use community in Cambridge. Based on input from stakeholders and the public, Steve prepared a draft plan of subdivision, zoning schedules, severance sketches, trail plans, detailed concept plans, and 3D models. His 3D visualizations helped resolve issues and reach consensus toward changing land use policy and zoning. Details are available here.... Read More
Barton-Tiffany Earns Urban Design Award for Excellence
GSP Group and its design team received a Hamilton Urban Design Award for Excellence in Community Planning for a study of the Barton-Tiffany downtown neighbourhood. The study involved consultation looking at opportunities for ways to regenerate the West Harbour area. The jury noted the innovative approach knits the former industrial area into the fabric of the surrounding community through streets and public spaces. “The jury praises the balanced approach of promoting a modest scale of development that will not siphon up density within one area. The study envisions a low-rise and mid-rise form of mixed use, transit oriented development planned around a network of high... Read More
Distinction for Downtown Thorold Design
The Downtown Thorold Streetscape Master Plan led by GSP Group received a Niagara Community Design Awards honourable mention. The plan recommends improvements to accessibility, pedestrian infrastructure and consideration of a new linear open space through the downtown. The Review Committee described this project as an inspiration for other communities. The plan builds on recent private developments and considers how public space can support further investment, re-investment and intensification within the core.... Read More
Sustainability
GSP Group supports sustainable development through our designs, land use and policy work, and community engagement. Whenever possible, we incorporate low impact design into landscape projects, support alternative energy generation initiatives, promote transit-oriented development, and encourage sustainable policy directives.
We also have to do our part.
In November 2016, GSP Group joined the Regional Sustainability Initiative. This is the flagship program of Sustainable Waterloo Region. It helps businesses establish and maintain sustainable practices to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
GSP Group is at the “building” stage of the program. We are researching and recording current practices to understand how we impact our carbon footprint. To do this, we established a Green Team which meets regularly to promote and implement sustainable actions in the office. We no longer buy single-use water bottles. We encourage litterless lunches. We are printing less. And, we are walking, cycling and using public transit to commute.
We have more work to do, and look forward to moving ahead in the program.
Professional Associations
Affiliations
Careers
Planner and Senior Planner – Kitchener Office
Teamwork is bringing GSP Group to a major milestone in 2020 as we celebrate 25 years of practice providing community planning, urban design and landscape architecture services throughout southwestern Ontario. We are looking for a Planner and Senior Planner to join our team and contribute to our passion for shaping great communities.
From our offices in downtown Kitchener and Hamilton, GSP Group serves the private and public sectors on a wide range of projects.
As a Planner in the Kitchener office, you will:
- Assist Project Managers in the preparation and management of a full range of planning applications including Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, Draft Plans of Subdivision and Condominiums, Site Plans, Severances and Minor Variances;
- Assist Project Managers with research, planning policy analysis, report writing, application preparation and submission and community engagement in support of development proposals and municipal planning services and projects;
- Assist Project Managers with long-range planning studies and land use plans such as official plans, secondary plans and comprehensive zoning by-laws and the provision of municipal planning services;
- Make presentations to councils, committees and community groups and have strong written, oral and presentation skills;
- Have a degree in Urban Planning or related discipline, and (eligibility for) membership in OPPI / CIP, with relevant work experience in planning;
- Have excellent analytical, communication and organizational skills with attention to detail;
- Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint and Excel;
- Possess a valid driver’s licence and the ability to supply your own personal vehicle.
As a Senior Planner in the Kitchener office, you will additionally have strong project management and leadership skills and experience with community consultation, with a full membership in OPPI / CIP. Urban design skills and experience including the review and application of design guidelines in development projects and the preparation of urban design briefs or guidelines would be an asset.
GSP Group is a great place to work. We have a dynamic team of professionals committed to creating great places, and doing so in a collegial, professional environment. We are an employee-owned firm and offer competitive salaries and benefits.
Qualified applicants are invited to send a cover letter and resume in confidence to gsp@gspgroup.ca, or to GSP Group Inc., 72 Victoria Street South, Suite 201, Kitchener, ON N2G 4Y9. We would like to hear from you by January 31, 2020.
We thank all those who submit applications however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.