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WCEL
> Issues > Urban Growth and
Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part
1 > Centres of Community
Smart Bylaws Guide – Centres of Community: Channelling Development
Into Existing Neighbourhoods
The identity of most communities is tied to its town centre.
These centres usually hold prominent public features that also serve
as navigation points for the community at large. Concentrating
development in clearly defined centres strengthens this sense of
identity and makes the most of existing infrastructure while
revitalizing commercial areas. Large and small municipalities are
using this strategy to decrease long-term servicing costs and to
create vibrant mixed-use districts that have their own unique
character. This also helps to maintain small town character by
following traditional patterns of compact development.
A key component of creating centres of community that possess a
strong public image and identity is to ensure that public uses
dominate central spaces. Traditional placement of public landmarks
like parks, plazas, town squares, sculptures, fountains, city halls,
post offices, schools, libraries and churches draws people to the
core of the community. Centres act as transportation hubs where many
modes converge, and where drivers can park in one spot and access a variety
of services and shopping opportunities.
"A3 Let the centre define the community. In order to enliven
the public realm, it is important to concentrate on civic,
institutional, and commercial activity. Community centres should
accommodate a range of activities and adapt to changing needs over
time. The image above shows a boathouse/multi-purpose centre on the
waterfront. Such a facility, serving the larger community, provides
boating access to the restored waters of False Creek while still
providing flexible space for community groups and for civic
celebrations."
Sustainable Urban Landscapes: Site Design Manual
for B.C. Communities
Patrick M.Condon, Joanne Proft, Jacqueline
Teed, Sara Muir. 2002 p.56 |
Examples of BC Municipalities
Gibsons:
The public library opened in July 1996 in the centre of
Gibsons and the three residential areas that it serves. It is next
to the museum, post office, school district offices, health unit,
motor vehicle offices, and town hall, and was built on donated Town
land. The library is on the bus route and within walking or biking
distance for the majority of the users. Parking is underground. It
boasts a 67% (and growing) membership.
Kelowna:
One of the principal goals of the Kelowna OCP is to
support a pattern of integrated urban development which takes full
advantage of the existing social and physical infrastructure
including roads, sewer systems, schools, parks and recreation
facilities. Development, particularly economic development, is
encouraged in urban centres.
6.1.2 Civic Improvements. Invest civic capital in the Urban
Centres as a priority (e.g. sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, and other
infrastructure investments) in order to encourage the creation of
accessible, high quality living and working environments which are
environmentally, socially and financially sustainable and consistent
with the future land-uses shown on Map 19.1.
(Kelowna OCP Chapter
6.1.2) |
Maple Ridge:
Part of the District's downtown revitalization
involved a new state of the art library that includes a pedestrian
orientation, underground parking, and proximity to other government
and leisure services. Usage has increased by over 40% since moving
into the new building in March of 2001. In addition, in 2006
the District started encouraging high rise residential development
in the downtown core, using a financial incentive in the form of its
Revitalization
Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 6412-2006, which offers a 2-year
property tax exemption/relief for developments meeting basic
criteria, and a 4-year exemption/relief if certain optional
"green" criteria are also met. The Bylaw not only provides
a financial incentive, but sends a clear message regarding the type
of development the District is encouraging in its downtown.
Objectives of designating a Revitalization Area listed in the program
backgrounder (Schedule B) include:
- "to stimulate residential development in the downtown
core;
- to develop a better balance of live/work options in the
downtown core,
- to provide a larger base of residents to support further
commercial activities,
- to increase pedestrian traffic in the downtown area with added
residential activity, both to support local businesses and to
enhance safety,
- to attract high quality, higher density residential
development in the downtown core, and
- to encourage the use of green building technology."
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Markham, ON:
Markham is
creating a new Town Centre to act as a focus point to this rapidly
growing community. Markham will increase its resident population
from 218,000 to 348,000 in the next twenty years and has adopted a
smart growth approach to planning for a complete community. Markham
Centre is Markham's downtown core: an environmentally sustainable,
transit-friendly, attractive home for about 25,000 new residents and
17,000 employees. Plans for Markham Centre include a vibrant
walkable centre with a sense of place integrated with nature. Guided
by a Citizen Advisory Group over the past twelve years, the
development of Markham Centre is shaped by detailed
11
Guiding
Principles and Performance
Measures.
For More Information
Markham Centre
Vision (including smart growth,
transit-oriented development and public consultation) Jim Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services, Town of Markham (905) 477-7000
ext. 4875 jbaird@city.markham.on.ca
Creating Great Neighbourhoods: Density in Your Community (Local
Government Commission)
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