Sustainable Urban Development

SUDA recently mailed and e-mailed letters to stakeholders of urban development in Ontario (builders, municipalities, and others) to bring their attention to the importance of sustainable urban development. As you know, the way our towns and cities grow and develop has a profound effect on our environmental, economic and social well-being. Places to Grow legislation and the Provincial Policy Statements have taken the first steps towards a sustainable future.

However, the result of the new official plans of municipalities in the GTHA and elsewhere will be very high consumption levels for energy, land, water and material resources, and steep increases in travel by automobile, even though the plans conform to provincial legislation. It is also unfortunate that the requirement for all new greenfield development to be at a minimum of 50 residents and jobs per gross hectare is being used by municipalities as a maximum target, when unfortunately, that is not much better than the 44-45 that the suburban city of Mississauga is at today. Better results are needed.

To discuss this issue or find out more, contact John Stillich at mail@suda.ca or call 416-400-0553.