Richmond Hill Intensification Study

DTAH prepared the urban design guidelines as part of the Town of Richmond Hill Residential Intensification Study, a supporting document to the Town’s Official Plan which defines the location, level of intensity and type of redevelopment that should be encouraged within the built up area, excluding the downtown core and the regional centre. This document is a proactive response to the Provincial Growth Plan target for 40% of all new development to be introduced within existing built areas.

A series of planning and design principles were developed to help define the intent of (re)development, but not its final form. The guidelines reflect a broad spectrum of intensification strategies regarding the massing and scale of built form, character of open space, mix of uses and building typologies suitable to this suburban context. DTAH further demonstrated on seven sample sites how the principles and guidelines would work. Together the principles, guidelines and demonstrations formed the foundation and rationale for policy recommendations.