Postwar Urban Development in the Golden Horsehoe - Literature review Example

Introduction Demographic policies had a key contribution in the urban development of the Golden Horseshoe region in the postwar period. This facilitated rapid urban growth even though there were challenges. Planning policies ensure that there is no exploitation of natural resources as well as ensuring urban development and expansion. Urban housing is a key facet of development and the creation of a security network should be embraced. Background Postwar trauma in terms of the resources and population often call for desperate measures to ensure development. Demographic peculiarities must be accommodated meticulously in urban development agendas. This study is aimed at the housing development policies, population variations, suburbanization and impacts of immigration policies on urban development in general and the growth and advancement of the metropolis in Ontario in particular. Population Increase and its Effects The Golden Horseshoe region accommodates one fourth of Canada’s total population and is composed of some 8.1 million individuals as per the 2006 census results (MacFarlane 65). Projections place the population level at some 12 million by 2031 (MacFarlane 66) which indicates an annual growth rate of 12.5%. Set density targets for urban areas ensure effective urban growth with fully developed structures. The Greater Horseshoe region is the sixth most populous urbanized area in North America. A strong economy helps effective policy implementation especially plans that need financial backing. The region houses a large number of Fortune 500 companies which reflect on the level of economic development present. Growth Plan for Urban Development A comprehensive growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe region was produced in 2006 that had several policies for growth management of urban centers. These policies collectively reflect on the planning vision for the Great Golden Horseshoe region which is central to the development of the nation. The key focus of these policies is to ensure healthy growth for the Ontario region. The major aims were the revitalization of all applicable downtowns as vibrant centers of excellence, the provision of better housing choices, protection of greenhouses and farming lands and creation of sturdy infrastructure including comprehensive road networks. The facets of transit promotion, walking in the city and transport demand management were also included (MacFarlane 77). These policies were also effective in setting up standardized buildings and road network in the urban regions. Better roads meant effective commodity transportation and the reduction of waste. Population diversity had a large influence on the urban planning provisions for the selected 25 urban centers. The job density target was placed at 400 jobs and persons per hectare for urban centers. If the growth plan density can be realized then the municipality can set a new minimum target for achievement depending on the size of the urban center. The achievement of the density target ensured that the urban center’s growth exhibited vibrant and attractive cultural facilities. Institutions were also affected by the growth patterns in the urban centers (MacFarlane 60). Growth plans also provide for identification of the most appropriate location of urban centers and this in turn enhances urban development in post war periods. For example the Green Fields area was designed with a view to create new urbanized zones that exhibited proper planning and configuration of densities that support comfortable living. Effects of the Baby Boom and Baby Bust on Housing Demands (Suburbanization) Increased population levels affected the housing sector and the policies implemented in the Golden Horseshoe region ensured that people in the urban domain were provided with proper housing. The response to the tremendous population growth came through policies that protected any environmentally sensitive lands from settlement. Moreover any suburbanization was placed in set policies. In case that projected growth is exceeded there may be no sufficient infrastructure while, if the growth falls below the expected, there could be misallocation of some investments. The implemented policies must ensure that resources are balanced properly. The housing demand stems from the economic status of a person and is linked to the employment situation, the dollar rate and the interest levels. The early retirement of baby boomers contributed to the low demand in the housing sector. Research showed that employment rates highly influence movement patterns and general housing costs. The higher employment rates in the inner ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe region reflect these generalizations (MacFarlane 67). Retirement of the baby boomers the workforce levels decrease accordingly and this depresses net migration. The higher housing cost also discourages migration into the Greater Horseshoe region. In the current situation high prices are forcing people to move into the outer ring from the inner ring. The housing policies form the guiding principles for market price fluctuations and variations. Turning Brownfield Areas into Greenfields Brownfield refers to sites that were previously used for industrial or commercial purposes but have been abandoned since either due to contamination of the land or any other such cause. These sites present attractive opportunities for redevelopment as most of these sites are located in prime real estate areas near existing urban centers. However the large cost often associated with cleaning up the mess left behind such as gas based contamination often leaves urban developers away from such sites. In terms of the Golden Horseshoe region and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, there are plenty of Brownfield sites available for development given that these areas were once prime industrial areas. It is ironic that the very industries that helped to spur urban growth in these areas are now nothing more than simple waste and unwanted land. In its bid to change these perceptions, the government of Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has begun to lead action on Brownfield sites. A plethora of various kinds of industries existed in the Golden Horseshoe region including (but not limited to) mills, railway yards, factories and service stations. Over time these facilities have been closed while some have moved away into newer settings due to economic pressure. The land left behind in the wake of these abandonments lies idle and is often contaminated as mentioned before (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing). The reutilization of these lands is both important and beneficial for the surrounding communities as much required urban space is reclaimed and places such as houses, schools and offices are built. Perhaps the greatest advantage in utilizing Brownfield sites is their dependence on existing infrastructure facilities. The development of new land would require the development of new infrastructure as well as a reduction in green spaces. While this has environmental disadvantages, this approach of using new land also has economic disadvantages. The Brownfield reclamation approach to re-urbanization ensures that existing infrastructure is utilized without having to develop any new infrastructure. Moreover the Brownfield approach ensures that effective intensification occurs in the previously abandoned areas. In the spring of 2007 the government of Ontario brought in comprehensive reformation for putting Brownfield areas into more effective use while safeguarding public health and safety along with the environment. Finding Funds for Brownfield Redevelopment Developing Brownfield sites has its advantages but it is often hard to initiate such growth and development because of the large associated costs. In order to lure investors to redevelop Brownfield sites the government is working in tandem with municipalities in order to offer tax breaks and deferrals. Other financial incentives down the road are also being offered to such investors in a bid to capture their interest. The funds needed to initiate such growth and development is initially being generated by the government on a three tier structure that includes the federal government, the provincial government and the local municipal government. The largest funds will be generated by the municipal governments in order to initiate the redevelopment of Brownfield sites. Conclusion The postwar period in Canada signaled the rise of new urbanization especially concentrated in the Golden Horseshoe region. This growth and the ensuing development was spurred by the economic activities that were occurring in the Golden Horseshoe region at that time. These activities coupled with a demand for skilled workers from outside and inside Canada led to intense urbanization that saw the intensification of existing real estate. The newly emerging urban centers were balanced against the need for more safe and healthy living as well as environmental sustainability that was encouraged with the development of adequately spaced green belts. This effort was also compounded with a renewed interest in Brownfield sites which depended on the rejuvenation of existing idle and abandoned sites for previous industrial and commercial ventures. The Brownfield reclamation approach to urbanization ensured that land intensification occurred without the added expense of wasting new land and developing new infrastructure. orks Cited Albert, Rose. Governing metropolitan Toronto: A social and political analysis. Investigation. California: Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California Press, 1971. MacFarlane, David. Toronto: A City Becoming. Toronto: Key Porter Books Publishers, 2008. Merriam, Gray. THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE. 2011. 3 December 2011 . Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Brownfields Ontario. 2011. 3 December 2011 . Read More