The built-up part of the…

The built-up part of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area has a significantly lower average population density than most large world cities. Many main streets and avenues have only single or two-storey structures, even along high-density transit corridors or around higher-order transit stations. In this context, there is ample opportunity to create housing within the built-up area without encroaching on the Greenbelt or expanding municipal boundaries. With some creativity and relaxed zoning, and by encouraging the construction of 4-8 storey apartment budlings along main streets (as in many world cities, especially in Europe), expected population growth can be accommodated.

Opening up portions of the Greenbelt to development only creates further spatial expansion of the metropolitan area, lengthening commute times and adding to our negative environmental footprint. The areas proposed do not have good transit access and are unlikely to, given their location and poor connectivity to the existing and proposed higher order transit network. It would create a regrettable legacy for many generations to come.