Planning and the Development of Sustainability on the Central Waterfront

This presentation by Dr. Susannha Bunce examines the current redevelopment plans for the central waterfront area of Toronto’s waterfront, which spans a geographic territory of ten kilometres from Sunnyside Beach at the western end and Ashbridge’s Bay at the eastern end. Based on policy research, interviews with government officials, planning and design practitioners, and land owners, and case study analysis of two specific central waterfront redevelopment areas, the West Don Lands and East Bayfront sites, Dr. Bunce discusses how the concept of sustainability has been integrated into the current redevelopment plans for these sites. Her research findings demonstrate a difference in the level of sustainability requirements between the West Don Lands and East Bayfront sites based upon the presence of sustainable design premiums and their relationship to the land appraisal and land sale processes in these areas.