403: Transit Oriented Development: An Integrated Vision for Healthy Growth

October 01, 2019

4:00PM - 5:00PM

How do planners and architects bring together multiple stakeholders around an Integrated Transit-Oriented Development vision?
 
In the next 25 years, the Greater Golden Horseshoe will increase from 9 to 14 million people. To support this growth, the Province of Ontario announced a $28 billion regional transit plan and introduced a suite of land-use policy changes designed to encourage density around transit. In addition, Metrolinx recently announced a new “Market Driven Strategy” to facilitate land value capture from significant infrastructure investments, thereby signalling to the development industry that there is an unprecedented opportunity for transit-oriented development in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
 
Integrated Transit-Oriented Development (ITOD), also known as Joint Development and Rail Overbuild, is a transit delivery mechanism that is used in many jurisdictions around the world. As Ontario starts to implement ITOD across the Provincial transit network, it is important for planners and architects to understand the benefits and challenges of this development model, including how to bring together multiple stakeholders around an ITOD design vision.
 
This presentation will feature case studies within urban and urbanizing areas across the GTHA and discuss planning and design strategies employed to address site specific characteristics. In particular, there will be an in-depth discussion of 327 Royal York – a development site adjacent to the Mimico GO station in Toronto – as an inaugural project that proves it’s possible to achieve an integrated mixed-use development with transit infrastructure. The success of this project relied on forging partnerships between Metrolinx, the City, and the Developer to unlock opportunities for better growth. The Mimico GO station is located just two stops west of Toronto’s Union station, providing quick and unfettered access to the City. The site at 327 Royal York has been sitting vacant for years and Mimico GO is in need of significant upgrades. 
 
The presentation will discuss the process that landowners, planners and architects undertook to bring together multiple stakeholders around an ITOD development, backed by an engagement strategy, business case, and phasing plan. The result is a project that will redefine how we revitalize underutilized land across Ontario through a seamless integration between an expanded mobility hub, new housing and community amenities, a ‘green’ public realm, and a dynamic mixed-use development.
 

Speakers