rockin' across the countryside

One of Toronto's challenges is in supporting growth with adequate supplies of aggregates (crushed stone used in concrete and tar paving) without destroying the Oak Ridges Moraine, where a lot of the stone comes from. Compact urban development reduces consumption of aggregates by making more efficient use of infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings, concrete pipes, and so on). Consumption can also be reduced by recycling aggregates and building rubble.

More ideas on the benefits of compact urban form are in Places to Grow - A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe", issued by the Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal on July 13, 2004.