May 17, 2002 – Central Waterfront Plan wins national planning award

A City of Toronto plan to renew the central waterfront has won the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). Making Waves: Principles for Building Toronto's Waterfront, Central Waterfront Part II Plan beat out 47 submissions from across Canada. A six-member jury comprised of members of the institute selected Making Waves for its planning excellence, innovation, influence on the planning profession and quality of presentation.

"The inspirational approach of Toronto's Central Waterfront Plan is built on a shared vision of the future committed to creating a sense of community through stimulating environmental restoration, economic development, public infrastructure and most importantly unique opportunities for new communities," wrote Ralph Liebel, Chair of the CIP Excellence Awards Committee. "These components are fundamental to the successful implementation of the plan and future opportunities for the City of Toronto."

"It is a great honour for the City of Toronto to be recognized nationally for its planning excellence," said Councillor Joe Pantalone, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee and the Waterfront Reference Group. "With its compelling vision, the plan captures the collective wishes of citizens to restore our waterfront and heighten our pride of place."

"Plans to breathe new life into the waterfront area of Canada's largest urban region are of national importance," said Urban Development Services Commissioner Paula Dill. "It is fitting that a plan of national significance should garner a national award and I commend all involved for their focus and determination in creating this approach to waterfront renewal."

The City's Chief Planner Paul Bedford and South District Community Planning Director Beate Bowron will receive the award on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Westin Bayshore Hotel, Stanley Park Ballroom, at approximately 9 p.m. In addition, Chief Planner Paul Bedford will be presented with a certificate naming him a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in recognition of his outstanding contribution to planning in Canada.

Based on comments received during public consultations, the Central Waterfront Plan is currently being fine-tuned. Later this year, the City's Waterfront Reference Group and Toronto City Council will consider the plan, and any necessary modifications, along with the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation's business strategy and development plan.

For more information on the renewal of Toronto's waterfront and to view Making Waves, visit www.toronto.ca/waterfront.

Background

May 17, 2002

Making Waves: Principles for Building Toronto's Waterfront Central Waterfront Part II Plan

"Renewing our waterfront offers our city a chance to discover new ways of achieving its objectives, using the focused energy of the revitalization corporation, the entrepreneurial skills of the private sector, the creativity of our citizens and the prospects of new technology to unlock the fabulous potential of our central waterfront."
Making Waves, 2001

Launched on October 9, 2001, the Part II Plan for Toronto's central waterfront is the culmination of a number of initiatives by the City of Toronto designed to renew a strategic area of the city.

In November 1999, Mayor Lastman, with Prime Minister Chrétien and Premier Harris in attendance, publicly unveiled a new vision for Toronto's waterfront. Jointly, the three levels of government created the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force to develop an action plan for realizing the waterfront vision.

In March 2000, the Task Force provided a conceptual blueprint for Toronto's waterfront, supported by a financial and operational concept. This was followed by the City's Building Momentum report, which contained a preliminary analysis of the Task Force report as well as recommendations for next steps. Council approved Building Momentum in August 2000 with a recommendation that a new official plan for the central waterfront be developed, "taking into consideration the development concept put forward in the Task Force proposal."

Public Participation

Two subsequent directions of Council are relevant to the Central Waterfront Plan. First, is a direction from Council at its June 2001 meeting that Urban Development Services report further to the Waterfront Reference Group and Council on "a plan for public input with respect to various waterfront projects." This was prepared for the Reference Group's September 17, 2001, meeting. The second direction, also arising from the June 2001 Council meeting, requests that in preparing the Part II Plan, priority be placed on the following:

(a) maximizing opportunities for public participation

(b) creating new public places and spaces in the waterfront

(c) increasing and protecting public access to the water's edge

(d) advancing and maximizing the public interest through the development process.

Consequently, the plan is premised on the revitalized waterfront being a place for public use and enjoyment, which, in turn, will create the climate to attract private investment.

Following the plan's launch, the City consulted with numerous community and business groups in and adjacent to the central waterfront. In addition, four city-wide public meetings were held in the north, east, west and south quadrants of the city on November 5, 13, 15 and 17, 2001.

The Central Waterfront Plan is currently being fine-tuned in light of public comments, which can be viewed at: www.toronto.ca/waterfront/index.htm.

Central Waterfront Part II Plan

Making Waves: Principles for Building Toronto's Waterfront has two parts. The first sections place the waterfront initiative in a national, provincial and local context and explain why planning in the central waterfront warrants a unique approach. This stems from the largely public ownership of the central waterfront, the need for public leadership and investment in the early stages of renewal and the delegation of the implementation of the plan to the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation.

The remaining sections of the document constitute the proposed statutory plan. The plan is structured around four core principles:

(a) removing barriers/building connections

(b) building a network of spectacular waterfront parks and public spaces

(c) promoting a clean and green environment

(d) creating dynamic and diverse new communities.

Associated policies are presented for each core principle as well as 23 "Big Moves," which will define the new central waterfront. The "Big Moves" are primarily infrastructure initiatives that would be undertaken by the public sector to create an environment conducive to public enjoyment and private sector investment.

Also included are maps outlining a Roads Plan; Transit Plan; Parks, Open Space and Public Use Area Plan; Pedestrian, Cycling and Water Routes Plan; and Land Use Plan. The Land Use Plan proposes three designations: Development Area (allows for a mix of commercial, residential and industrial uses), Existing Use Area (site continues to be governed by existing planning regulations) and Parks, Open Space and Public Use Area.

Next Steps

The Central Waterfront Plan, with any necessary modifications, will be presented to the Waterfront Reference Group and City Council for consideration later this year along with the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation's business strategy and development plan.