getting on board webinar

Getting on Board Learning from planning and engagement around rapid transit projects in Ontario Webinar

Friday, June 9, 2017 Lindsay Wiginton, Analyst, Transportation and urban solutions, Pembina Institute

Michelle German, Senior manager of policy and partnerships, Evergreen

If you have troubles with the chat function, send your questions to: [email protected]

Photo: City of Mississauga

Thank you to our funders

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•  A national not-for-profit dedicated to making cities flourish

•  Established 1991

•  Leading collaborative action based work in mobility since 2010

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Research premise Photo: Lindsay Wiginton, Pembina Institute

Research approach •  4 case studies •  24 interviews •  2 areas of focus:

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Public/stakeholder engagement

Land use planning

Hurontario LRT

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Source: City of Hamilton

Hamilton LRT

Source: Metrolinx

Waterloo Region ION

Source: Region of Waterloo ION

Source: Stage 2 LRT

Ottawa Confederation Line


Challenges: •  Perceived lack of transparency •  Reactive local councils •  The impact of construction •  Fear of the (transit) unknown



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4 Getting on Board: Learning from planning and engagement around rapid transit projects in Ontari

Chapter 1: Public and stakeholder engagementIn this chapter, we identify seven success factors for effective engagement for transit projects. They apply to any organization leading a transit project.

1. Engage early, engage well

2. Look at the big picture

3. Prioritize diversity and community

4. Keep it honest and visible

5. Plan for construction impacts

6. Embrace conflict

7. Encourage local leadership

Success factors:

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6. Embrace conflict


Photo: City of Hamilton

Examples

11 4 Getting on Board: Learning from planning and engagement around rapid transit projects in Ontari







6. Embrace conflict


Photo: Metrolinx








6. Embrace conflict


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6. Embrace conflict


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6. Embrace conflict









6. Embrace conflict


Photo: City of Ottawa

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6. Embrace conflict


Transit-supportive land use planning Challenges: •  Planning frameworks are increasingly

complex •  Transportation and land use processes are

not connected •  It’s a new challenge •  Infrastructure isn’t up to snuff

Photo: Roberta Franchuk, Pembina Institute

Transit-supportive land use planning

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Success factors:


Chapter 2: Achieving transit-supportive land use and designIn this chapter, we identify three success factors for developing and implementing transit-supportive land use and urban design policies. They apply to municipal planning teams leading land use policy update.

The importance of land use planning and designIf you live in an urban area in the province, you won’t be surprised to hear that Ontario is experiencing rapid population growth. This reality is more and more visible through urban development trends, congestion, and rising housing prices. Ontario’s growth is mainly concentrated in cities, and this trend is projected to continue for many years to come. For some places, like Mississauga, this has been a reality for a long time, while in others, like Hamilton, a recent surge in growth – including a return of young people to the city – has been a change in direction.

Rapid transit projects must be accompanied by updated land use regulations (like Official Plans and zoning by-laws) to enable transit-supportive development along transit corridors. Land use regulations help to build

complete communities while also attracting new riders to the transit system. Rapid transit corridors also need good urban design (cycling infrastructure, greenspace, pedestrian amenities, etc.) to ensure safe and convenient access to the corridor by foot, bike and bus. Provincial policies like the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Mobility Hub Guidelines provide guidance to for this type of planning.

While municipalities, provincial agencies or a combination may lead transit projects, local municipalities’ planning departments carry out the detailed land use and urban design component. Therefore, it’s important to consider how the planning processes for transit, and the associated land use changes, fit together.

1. Establish clear processes

2. Work with developers and landowners

3. Make it about the neighbourhood

Highlight tools: City of Ottawa •  Neighbourhood studies/transit-

oriented development plans

•  Flexible zoning change process

•  Urban design guidelines for high-rise developments

•  Urban design guidelines for transit-oriented development

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Photo: City of Ottawa

Photo: O-Train

Highlight tools: Region of Waterloo/City of Kitchener •  Region of Waterloo Community

Building Strategy (CBS) (2013)

•  City of Kitchener Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) studies

•  City of Kitchener Residential Intensification in Established Neighbourhoods Study (RIENS)

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Photo: Lindsay Wiginton, Pembina Institute

Highlight tools: City of Hamilton •  Interim control bylaw & LRT corridor zoning designation

•  Downtown Secondary Plan & station area Secondary Plans

•  Tall Building Guidelines

•  Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines

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Source: City of Hamilton/Metrolinx

Highlight tools: Cities of Mississauga and Brampton •  Hurontario/Main Street Master Plan (Mississauga and

Brampton) (2010)

•  Mississauga Downtown21 Master Plan (2010)

•  Mississauga Downtown Core Built Form Standards (2013)

21 Source: Metrolinx

Conclusions

Key findings •  There is broad level buy-in around the

importance of building transit: concern or conflict is rooted more in the process and priorities

•  Project teams and municipalities are taking great strides to engage their communities meaningfully

•  Municipalities are using tools suited to their context to align their land use plans

•  Relationships underpin the success of the project

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Discussion •  Do these findings resonate with you?

•  What are some other examples to consider?

•  Moving forward, what other research questions need to be answered?

Read the report: http://www.pembina.org/pub/getting-on-board

Webinar presentation + recording (by Monday): http://www.pembina.org/event/getting-on-board

Lindsay Wiginton [email protected]

Michelle German [email protected]


getting on board webinar

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