103 - Major Transit Station Areas: From Policy to Reality

October 06, 2021

10:15AM - 11:15AM

Major transit station areas (MTSAs) are set to transform cities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). By tying minimum density targets directly to the lands around new transit infrastructure, the policy is poised to integrate land use and transportation policies at a scale and granularity not seen before. Peel Region has led the way, as one of the first upper-tier municipalities to delineate MTSA boundaries as part of their regional official plan review. This process will be repeated across the GGH, and other municipalities can benefit from Peel’s experience.
 
The panel for this session includes a mix of regional staff (Joy Simms and Duran Wedderburn) and consultants (Sean Hertel and Paul Kulig) responsible for Peel Region’s MTSA study. The session focuses on the economic development and sustainability theme and explores topics including:
 
Coordinating the strategic needs of upper- and lower-tier municipalities;
Developing a comprehensive evaluation process to identify and prioritize potential MTSAs that includes land use, physical, environmental, mobility, community, and strategic considerations;
Planning for intensification that responds to context, community vision, and market demands;
Integrating enough flexibility in the intensification policies to anticipate changing market conditions, modes of living, and employment, while protecting natural environments and existing community assets;
Responding to the new realities of working from home and what that means for office demand and projections; and
Ensuring all MTSAs, regardless of immediate potential for intensification, are supported by a well-designed, healthy, and safe public realm that supports public transit and active mobility.

Speakers