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Since 2005 7,200 square kilometres of land has been protected from development by provincial Greenbelt legislation, inhibiting urban sprawl while ensuring the preservation of rural landscapes found on the outer edges of the Golden Horseshoe area. Ten years after the introduction of the Greenbelt, Toronto's real estate market has been subject to a profound shift away from suburban subdivision style housing and towards high-density living, resulting in more urban infill development, more verticality, and less sprawl. These changes in how our region grows are best displayed in a time-lapse video created from satellite imagery where the virtual halt of Toronto's northern expansion can be clearly seen from 2005 onwards.
The Government of Ontario is now reviewing the Greenbelt Plan, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the Niagara Escarpment Plan to assess the effectiveness of the plans so far and to improve the management of urban development and protection of the natural environment while supporting economic development into the future. To that end, a series of Town Hall meetings will be held across the region, giving residents the chance to voice their opinions and concerns.
The first meeting in the 416 will be on Monday, March 30 at the Toronto Reference Library, Bram and Bluma Appel Salon. An open house will be held from 6 to 7 PM, followed by an overview presentation and table discussions from 7 to 9 PM.
A full list of the planned town hall meetings, plus more information including background materials and other ways to participate can be seen by visiting ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview.
What is your take on the various development management and environmental protection plans for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area? Leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.
