need more focus on sprawl

The Province of Ontario currently has in force a 1996 Policy Statement that has been criticized for effectively "requiring municipalities to facilitate urban sprawl by maintaining perpetually expanding supplies of developable land." As reported in the October 20, 2004 issue of Novae Res Urbis (GTA Edition), a revised Provincial Policy Statement proposed this year is attempting to reduce sprawl by increasing intensification and redevelopment. However, the Pembina Institute believes that the June 2004 draft does not go far enough in providing incentives that would reduce greenfield development.

The institute has proposed greater focus on the utilization of development capacity, as opposed to simple land availability. Development capacity should be "defined to include both the potential for redevelopment of existing urban areas, and development potential of the currently undeveloped portions of settlement areas designated in official plans." The institute says development potential should also be determined by considering a minimum density requirement for expansions beyond the existing urban area and for transit corridors. The province's Places to Grow document proposes that 40% of growth over the next 10 years should be within current urban boundaries, but is not clear on how to define, target or monitor urban intensification.