Lower Don Lands Precinct Plan

This waterfront revitalization initiative will transform this ageing industrial area into a complete urban community with an expected 25,000 new residents and 10,000 new jobs over the 12,000 hectares that comprise the Lower Don Lands. The area has limited transportation access points making it essential to introduce the right balance of housing, employment opportunities, entertainment, and open spaces. Also, a key element of the revised planning framework is the re-naturalization and diversion of the mouth of the Don River to address flooding issues and introduce a new watercourse and wetlands. The vision for the area builds on extensive feedback from the public, including main stakeholders and the public from surrounding communities to identify development and sustainability characteristics, including community services and facilities, as development moves forward. GPA team members’ contribution to this project was to oversee planning-related issues and work on the Precinct Plan and Zoning By-law to guide the future of the area. The planning tools were developed to ensure that built form, land uses, open spaces, public amenities, community services and housing will work cohesively together to create a whole community. This project won selection as one of the 16 founding projects of the Climate Positive Development Program of the Clinton Climate Initiative. City Council approved the Plan and Zoning By-law in August 2010.