103A - Coordination and collaboration: Key factors in the success of the Brock District Plan

September 23, 2020

4:15PM - 4:30PM

As the upper-tier municipality to its 12 local municipalities, Niagara Region undertook the Brock District Plan to provide a high-level framework for planning, design, and development to transform this area into a complete community. The district covers an area around Brock University, located immediately adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment, straddling the local municipalities of St Catharines and Thorold. The regulatory framework is particularly interesting and coordination was needed to address many local, regional, and provincial policies and interests.
 
The first of its kind in the region, the Brock District Plan vision focuses on higher education as a catalyst for transitioning the area from a lower-density employment area to a higher-density mixed-use centre. The Brock District Plan sets out seven key frameworks for achieving its vision and builds on the district’s existing assets. We have seen many positive outcomes of the Brock District Plan since its 2016 endorsement. Today, new multi-use paths connect the area, the International Plaza provides enhanced open space to all, construction for the Canada Summer Games 2021 is well underway, and the St. David’s Road/Hwy 406 interchange has been improved for active transportation.
 
Through the ongoing implementation and monitoring of the Brock District Plan, we continue to promote collaboration and build relationships. The success of the plan requires all partners to work together to ensure decisions achieve the intent of the shared vision. The resulting work will contribute to the positive image and brand of both Brock University and Niagara Region and will attract new investment and new people and encourage development and revitalization.
 

Speakers