Getting On Track With Green Growth: Exploring The Planning Of Transit- Oriented Communities

This paper explores the planning of Transit-Oriented Communities with a focus on two of Canada's most populous cities - Vancouver and Toronto. The current state of practice is investigated through case studies of the Cambie Corridor Plan in Vancouver and the Eglinton Connects Study in Toronto, aiming to uncover perspectives, challenges and success factors of these projects. Moreover, the research explores how sustainability beyond conventional Transit-Oriented Development practices is incorporated into the case studies, and whether these areas may result in what could be considered 'Green Transit-Oriented Development' – a term used for an enhanced ultra-environmentally friendly form of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The paper finds that these cities do well in terms of planning for Transit-Oriented Communities with the above projects, and transit-oriented planning efforts are supported by a solid policy framework at the regional and provincial levels. Both cities selected planning at the corridor scale as the preferred approach, as well as an emphasis on the shift to predominantly mid-rise development. Common initial challenges were exhibited in both cases, mainly in terms of partner collaboration and public engagement. Yet in the end, the establishment of strong partnerships and public involvement are also perceived as key success factors. Political support is recognized as a strongly influential factor, which can either stifle planning projects such as Cambie and Eglinton, or encourage them to become transformational opportunities. The influence from varying levels of political support is particularly illustrated with the ways the cities pursue sustainability. Beyond conventional transit-oriented development practices, the ambition and bold greening standards of Vancouver will see that the Cambie Corridor results in LEED gold development. In addition, Vancouver has capitalized on the anticipated redevelopment to ensure the integration of energy planning and promote a corridor serviced entirely by a low-carbon district energy network. Conversely, the Eglinton project displayed a mandate span that was limited in terms of advancing sustainability initiatives, and neither green building development nor energy planning were a part of the Study scope. Advanced green building is reliant upon incentives from the Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 achievements and the potential for district energy was seemingly overlooked. Thus, the paper concludes that Vancouver presents a leading example of synergistic planning that directs transit and low-carbon supported density, and better exhibits a green TOD-like endeavour. Finally, Toronto and other cities could learn from Vancouver and strive to improve sustainability goals, cultural commitment, and enabling planning policy.