Reimagining suburbs is one thing, but Peel Region is actively redesigning the sprawl west of Toronto by adhering to 21st century urban planning principles
Reimagining suburbs is one thing, but Peel Region is actively redesigning the sprawl west of Toronto by adhering to 21st century urban planning principles.
In particular, Peel has put emphasis on residents’ health.
“For Canadians, the typical suburbs they live in today are focused on separate uses and low density—you keep your home life separate from everything,” Lawrence Loh, associate medical officer of health for Peel Public Health. “Low density takes up a bigger chunk of space and, while it’s said to be the Canadian dream, it creates more automobile traffic. What we’re working on here at Peel, and encouraging other folks to think about, is how to retrofit.”
That involves creating a more cohesive communities by encouraging more physical activity, “where, hopefully, they live, work and play,” added Loh. “They can have access to different uses with a much more manageable human side.”
Council in Peel Region drew up the Healthy Development Assessment last year and hasn’t wasted time studying the ways in which development of all kinds impact the health of people who live and work there. One aspect Peel Region has looked at is narrower roads that, in effect, create more pedestrian-friendly milieus.
“It has a whole list of components around active transport, greenspace and making sure they’re part of proposed developments rather than just looking at zoning and building a certain way,” said Loh. “It’s also about amenity space to make sure people can get the most out of where they live.”
The timing couldn’t be better. As more Toronto residents grapple with affordability issues and move out of the core to the GTA’s fringes, initiatives like the Healthy Development Assessment might make the compromise of moving more palatable.
“My typical client starts from downtown and expands their search,” said Daniel Johanis, a mortgage broker with Rock Capital Investments. “Going to the outskirts of the city is a compromise largely based on affordability, but I’m noticing clients are gravitating towards condos that are built up around mixed-use areas. There’s more of a push towards neighbourhoods that have more amenities that are livable and walkable.”
