KingJames
Active Member
Such massive potential, hoping they can course correct and really drive development
Hamilton McMaster University Campus Master Plan | ?m | ?s | McMaster University | BDP Quadrangle
- Thread starter Paclo
- Start date
Chris R.
Senior Member
TheHonestMaple
Active Member
Seems really short sighted. That space would be ideal for an academic building, or another residence. 
Northern Light
Superstar
Seems really short sighted. That space would be ideal for an academic building, or another residence.
?
Its a regulated floodplain; you can't build residential, and even an academic building wouldn't normally be permitted, parking is permitted.
No new buildings, more or less, in the beige cloud.
They are proposing to build a new residence next to Osler which is not in the floodplain.
Looks to be about 7 acres of naturalization.
TheHonestMaple
Active Member
meh, just seems like a complete waste of space to let it turn back into a swamp
Chris R.
Senior Member
I mean, they planned to build on it, but obviously determined it wasn't worth it. McMaster has billions of dollars and decades of development space and money that would likely be better spent in infilling the existing university property.
This is also part of a large biosphere and the mention of it being used for research purposes isn't fluff as McMaster is broadening it's research and education capacity. It would do well to expand it's geography and nature focused education components. I know someone teaching geography at McMaster and they are trying to grow that area which includes naturalization and sustainable development practices for urban and non-urban areas.
This is also part of a large biosphere and the mention of it being used for research purposes isn't fluff as McMaster is broadening it's research and education capacity. It would do well to expand it's geography and nature focused education components. I know someone teaching geography at McMaster and they are trying to grow that area which includes naturalization and sustainable development practices for urban and non-urban areas.
Northern Light
Superstar
We will have to disagree. As noted above by @Chris R. McMaster doesn't lack space for new or intensified buildings.
The opportunity to meaningfully enhance a local ecosystem that is an ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) and add biodiversity and possibly research opportunities and maybe even recreational ones to campus seems like a good value to me.
Lets add, McMaster will likely create this new space, with partners, but with faculty who will get professional credit, and with graduate students who will gain invaluable experience.
TheHonestMaple
Active Member
Agree to disagree. I think using the space for academic buildings or even parking is a better use than a glorified swamp. There's plenty of that already in the area. Seems like a political decision to me.
Northern Light
Superstar
Yes.
Again, they can't build here.......its the law.
Very much disagree, clearly the environment is not an area of interest to you, sobeit, I won't try to convince you otherwise, though I would tell you dismissing its value probably doesn't help your arguments w/most readers.
Oddly Oaktree
New Member
This is great! Since storms are getting denser—in that they're dropping more water in shorter periods of time due to warmer air being able to hold more water molecules—we definitely need more places like this to naturally absorb rainfall/snowmelt and prevent flooding. Especially given that we live in the epicentre of some of the most fresh water on the planet, and that much of Hamilton was historically wetlands, removing non-permeable parking lots is such a great thing to see happening, and a true return to form for local ecosystems.
Not to mention, we're already seeing insurance companies cut protection against forest fires, we definitely don't want the same to start happening in urban centres due to increased flood risk—especially given Canadians keep their utilities in their basements. That could be a major crisis if we get a major snowfall followed by a false spring!
So in addition to the environmental, and research benefits, this is really of great benefit to everyone! ...Hopefully we could get a project like this on some brownfields in the East End!
Not to mention, we're already seeing insurance companies cut protection against forest fires, we definitely don't want the same to start happening in urban centres due to increased flood risk—especially given Canadians keep their utilities in their basements. That could be a major crisis if we get a major snowfall followed by a false spring!
So in addition to the environmental, and research benefits, this is really of great benefit to everyone! ...Hopefully we could get a project like this on some brownfields in the East End!
BrenWilson
Active Member
The political decision would be ignoring and then building on a flood zone, and would be incredibly short sighted in this day and age. What I would love to see is that little pocket of detached housing on the north west corner of cootes/main get redeveloped into a little university town. Kills me how completely unpedestrian the area around a univeristy hospital is.
Northern Light
Superstar
Agreed.
Also agreed.
I want to agree to this.............except I don't recall any SFH right at the corner, and streetview doesn't show any either........there'''s multi-res, (lowrise) a gas station and a vacant lot.
But I'm happy to agree that Main here feels very suburban.
I'd prioritize this stretch directly across Mac...........:
There's actually a coupe of patios, though they seem rather unappealing given the adjacent six-lane road and a tree-less streetscape........but all one-storey, with a plaza just beyond. Perfect for mid-rise rental, 4s streetwall, and 4 more setback, add in a tree-lined streetscape, strong retail....... there we go.
After that, I'd prioritize west along Main for another couple of blocks:
Then back east along Main, east of the University:
Hawrylyshyn
Active Member
I think he was referring to the neighbourhood behind The Pancake House and Tally Ho.
eg. Sanders Blvd, Thorndale, etc.
BrenWilson
Active Member
As mentioned refering to this "block"
Particularly as Sanders Blvd leads to the pedestrian crossing into the University. I suspect many of these houses are already student rentals due to demand, so why not develop the area to reflect the actual use. Sanders would probably made a nice car-lite pedestrian mall and be slightly more appealing than fronting businesses onto the Main St Stroad. Also given it's the LRT terminus there might be more demand for rentals there outside of student use.
Northern Light
Superstar
I take no issue w/the idea of intensifying this block in theory......though there are some nice mature trees I'd like to keep...
But....I would definitely prioritize Main and within 1-2 blocks thereof. That's how you get a transit/biking/walking culture.
The deepest part of this community (furthest from Main) is just over 500M away. At that point your starting to get into car-preferred distances.
An argument could be made for making the deepest bits a new table-top park, with a sports field and playground, a bit of nature at the edge of the valley, and then intensify gradually as you get towards Main.
Stacked townhomes/low-rise apartments then migrating to midrise by the time you're at Main.