we need bold, integrated planning

Intensification of development is generally good for maximising use of existing infrastructure and benefitting from economies of scale for everything from water supply and wastewater management to transportation infrastructure and public transport services. But there are risks. Politicians often behave as if any development is good development and the property taxes will cover costs, but Toronto is facing a challenge in funding the infrastructure needed to accommodate growth.

Apart from political intervention, the problem for transport planning is that behaviour doesn't always follow the plan. For example, growth aimed at providing passengers for public transport can backfire: if you plan for high densities around public transport stations, but still find that people use cars instead of public transport, then you have just made the situation worse. This is the conundrum faced by planners who want to support pro-transit policy, but often the problem is half-hearted implementation and lack of a cohesive plan to make sure everything is working towards a common goal.