Advantages of Smart Growth

Smart Growth development offers many advantages over conventional approaches to development.

For Residents:

• Neighbourhoods that are walkable, connected and accessible to services
• Knowledge of what developments will look like from the start
• More housing choices
• Transportation choices
• More public spaces and parks
• An improved public realm

For Developers/ Builders/ Businesses:

• Greater flexibility for development: density, height, building type and mix, parking, lot widths and mix
• Some alleys permitted
• Smaller street right-of-ways
• Use of streets that developers have not had in the past
  
• No redistricting once Area Structure Plan (ASP) in place
• Limitations on appeals
• Five Land Use Zones rather than 20+
• Higher densities/flexibilities mean higher Return on Investment (ROI)

For the City:

• Regional leadership
• City's commitment to the future
• Control over appearance of community, visual distinction
• Less 'franchise' architecture
• More non-residential
• Flexibility for future development
• Business flexibility
• Lower infrastructure costs
• Encouraging improved walking/transit habits
• Arts/culture opportunities
• Supports other City initiatives