New report from Ryerson and Homebuilders demonstrates importance of building better neighbourhoods along transit

TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Ryerson City Building Institute (CBI) and Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) co-launched the "Suburbs on Track" report, which explores the benefits of transit-oriented communities. The Report emphasizes how these communities are walkable and safe, support local businesses, generate ridership to pay for transit while providing more mobility choices and improving housing affordability.

The Province of Ontario is currently investing $32 billion in rapid transit infrastructure over the next 15 years. This report provides several recommendations for policy-makers, urban planners, developers and the public.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the groundwork for how we want to live, work and play in the future," says CBI Executive Director Cherise Burda. "Our regional municipalities can get on track and generate transit ridership, provide options for commuters, and create affordable housing for current and future residents."

"The GTHA is expected to grow by nearly three million people and over one million more jobs over the next 25 years," says OHBA  Policy Director Mike Collins-Williams. "With careful planning and new investments in transit infrastructure we can attract more business and employment to the suburbs and municipalities outside of Toronto and create complete communities."

Among the CBI and the OHBA recommendations to the province:

• Require updated zoning to ensure intensification around transit stations prior to receiving provincial transit funding
• Speed up the planning process to create density around new transit stations and corridors
• Provide technical and financial support to local municipalities for the transit re-zoning process
• Sharpen municipal planning and financial tools to support intensification on transit corridors.

• •Download JPEG infographics and a PDF of the report:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bwj_Xhf-5W_0eFpsNTVtdlJEbkE&usp=sharing

ABOUT CBI:

The Ryerson City Building Institute is a multidisciplinary centre focused on issues relevant to city regions nationally and globally. The Institute brings together political leadership, policy ideas and people from diverse backgrounds to address critical urban challenges.

ABOUT OHBA:

The Ontario Home Builders' Association is the voice of the building, land development and professional renovation industry in Ontario representing 4,000 member companies organized into 30 local associations across the province. The industry contributes over $51 billion to Ontario's economy and employs over 331,000 people across the province.

SOURCE Ontario Home Builders' Association

Media Contacts: Cherise Burda, Executive Director, Ryerson City Building Institute, [email protected], Cell: 647-907-5633; Mike Collins-Williams, Director of Policy, Ontario Home Builders' Association, [email protected], Cell: NEED THIS PLEASE