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Conference 2015

Ecological Design for Resilient Communities

October 08, 2015

1:45pm-2:45pm

Faced with requests for complex and fast-paced reviews of proposals within rapidly developing greenfield communities, major redevelopment and intensification in established urban centres, and the substantial infrastructure projects needed to service this growth, TRCA Environmental Planners are finding opportunities to enhance the resilience of new and revitalizing communities. TRCA’s Plan review teams are committed to fostering a green foundation for new development and redevelopment alike that reaps benefits for public safety, environmental regeneration, and improved urban spaces critical for both environmental and human health. Collaborative review among Planners, Engineers, Ecologists and other experts promotes creative change and innovative community design. This integrated approach complements both the natural hazard and natural heritage objectives of the PPS, while contributing to achieving Growth Plan objectives. In many situations, the growing need to restore important natural elements in burgeoning cities, such as streams and flood plains, remnant forests and wetlands, can often be the driver to re-examine typical urban design and discover innovations for development and redevelopment in an exciting, non-traditional form. Leading-edge design professionals and integrated watershed science directions are rapidly moving to set new standards for urban design incorporating fresh ideas around urban ecology, water management and outdoor built spaces. The scale of these projects can range from major urban riverway revitalization, to urban parks, downtown and neighbourhood streetscapes, greenways, signature urban places and private landscapes and rooftops. Environmental Planners are changing perspectives on the value of “green” to that of a key contributor to interconnected, multi-functional landscapes providing benefits for urban biodiversity and improved urban spaces for beauty and social activities. The public and private investment into these multi-functional urban landscapes reduces costs at many levels and produces multiple benefits for rejuvenating a healthy and attractive urban realm.

Speakers