Canadian Urban Institute

Year: 2010
Abstract: This report assesses the long-term infrastructure requirements for the City of Hamilton, and suggests priorities for investment in infrastructure projects by identifying and analyzing existing and proposed community assets. Starting with a list of nearly 100 potential infrastructure projects suggested by Hamilton councillors, staff, and stakeholders, CUI researchers conducted an analysis to identify “foundational projects.” Through consultation with Hamilton stakeholders, 25 foundational projects were identified. These consultations also drew out six principles for infrastructure investment in the city: invest in the heart of the city strategically; ensure connectivity; work at all scales; leverage cultural and creative assets; focus on quality of place; and build on existing green assets.
Client/Partner/Sponsors: City of Hamilton; Infrastructure Ontario
Media: Hamilton Spectator February 10, 2010 | Hamilton Spectator February 11, 2010
Video: CHCH TV News Coverage (YouTube)
Related Tags: Value Planning

Download: Low Resolution | High Resolution (PDF)

Year: 2009
Abstract: connector was the lead consultant for the City of Mississauga’s first Culture Master Plan, in collaboration with cultural experts Artscape, AuthentiCity and Novita. The plan is based on extensive consultation with stakeholders in the arts, heritage and cultural industries, as well as youth, city builders, and leaders in the education, business and community spheres. The plan creates an evidence base from which to understand and strengthen Mississauga’s cultural resources, in a manner that contributes to the City’s broader strategic goals. It provides a 5-year and 25-year vision, as well as actionable recommendations that will enable Mississauga to become a more culturally vibrant place.
Client: City of Mississauga, Culture Division
Related Tags: Cultural Planning

Download: Executive Summary | Full Report

Year: 2009
Abstract: Aggregates are explicitly acknowledged as an essential resource in the Provincial Policy Statement of the Province of Ontario not only because of their vital economic importance, but also because southern Ontario contains many high‐quality deposits of sand, stone, and gravel. The province also maintains a policy that the aggregates used in Ontario’s construction industry and in its infrastructure and public works – such as roads, schools, or water treatment plants – should be extracted close to where they will be used. Despite the importance of the aggregates industry in Ontario, the public knows relatively little about the role such resources play in the provincial economy; why aggregate companies need to expand existing sites or develop new ones; or what happens to sites after extraction ceases. Furthermore, the approvals process for new pits and quarries or expansions to existing ones has become extremely complex, prolonged, and hard for members of the public to follow. In this report, we review the economic and environmental benefits and costs of aggregate extraction in light of the province’s policy that aggregates should be protected (just like other natural resources in Ontario), and its policy promoting the extraction of sand, stone, and gravel close to where they will eventually be used. Since both of these policies tend to be called into question during hearings and public consultations for new or expanded pits and quarries, it is worth re‐examining the justification for them.
Client: Holcim Canada / Dufferin Aggregates

Download: Executive Summary | Full Report (High Resolution PDF)

Year: 2009
Abstract: The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) was retained by the City of Calgary to prepare an energy land-use map that would provide clear direction to the City and inform the private sector, power generating authorities and local distribution utilities about the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the use of alternative energy systems through considerations such as the design of buildings and the encouragement of more compact, mixed-use and high density communities. The study provided a cost-effective approach to allow the City to plan for expected population and employment growth, while still meeting energy and greenhouse gas objectives.
Client/Partner/Sponsors: City of Calgary

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Year: 2008
Abstract: The Canadian Urban Institute, working with Harris Consulting and Inc. and Real Estate Search Corporation, was retained by the City of Mississauga to review of the city’s official plan policies for office development. This project was one of the key elements in the City’s official plan review being undertaken to bring policies in line with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. As already acknowledged by CIP, the Growth Plan has greatly influenced thinking with respect to growth management, intensification and the pursuit of challenging goals in a complex environment.The City was interested not only in preserving the competitiveness of its office sector but in laying the groundwork for the next 25 years of development. It was recognized at the outset that our work would need to go beyond the traditional expectations for policy development by undertaking sophisticated pro forma analysis to explain the economics of development alternatives, incorporating a range of new tools (such as tax increment financing) and linking land use planning to the marketplace by engaging the private sector to better understand the drivers for office development.
Client/Partner/Sponsors: City of Mississauga

Download: Report (PDF) | Appendicies (PDF)

Year: 2007, updated in 2008
Abstract: In 2007, the City of Toronto was  considering a new Multi‐Residential Apartment Buildings Regulatory Strategy, which consisted of 10 policy options. Two of those options involve licensing either apartment owners or apartment units. This report, prepared for the Greater Toronto Apartments Association, provides an evaluation of some of the likely costs and benefits of licensing rental apartments, based on the experiences of other North American cities that have licensing programs, as well as data on housing quality in those cities and comparisons with cities that do not license rental apartments.
Client/Partner/Sponsors: Greater Toronto Apartment Association

Download: Report (PDF)

Year: 2006
Abstract: With major emphases on recent rural demographic and economic changes, human health, social benefits and the importance of natural assets to the rural and provincial economies, Nature Count$ provides a review of the socio-economic contributions of natural areas in southern Ontario.  The study also presents a preview of research needs for a comprehensive investigation of greenspace benefits.  While commissioned by the Ministry of Natural Resources, at the request of the Natural Spaces Leadership Alliance, the Nature Count$ study is for discussion purposes only and does not represent ministry or government policy, or the policy of any of the Alliance member organizations.
Client/Partner/Sponsors: Ministry of Natural Resources – Natural Spaces Program

Download: Summary | Full Report | French Edition