Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Brampton has won an Award of Excellence for the “Uptown Brampton Transit-Oriented Communities Toolkit” from The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) in the category of Planning and Analysis.
Brampton’s Urban Design team partnered with the Toronto School of Cities’ and the Urban Land Institute Toronto District Council in developing the project.
The “Uptown Brampton Transit-Oriented Communities Toolkit” explores a collaborative city-building model that supports better alignment between public sector, private sector, non-profit and local communities.
CSLA announces 2021 Awards of Excellence winners
“The Steeles stop of the Hurontario LRT is noted in the Metrolinx 2041 Regional Transportation Plan and the Brampton Official Plan as a Gateway Mobility Hub,” said Martin Medeiros, chair, planning and development.
“This designation supports high density growth and design considerations for multiple modes of travel, including high quality walking and cycling infrastructure. If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we must be ready to adapt to changing behaviours.”
The model unlocks a “26-hour city”, where 20-minute walkable communities eliminate the high cost of commuting and car-ownership – providing “extra hours” every day improving quality of life and productivity. This model also supports the creation of high-quality jobs and employment, and helps move the city towards a carbon-neutral future, a press release explained.
Fourteen projects received a national award from CSLA, during the awards ceremony held earlier this month. Projects showcase the range of what landscape architects do and how they’re helping reshape places where we live, work and play.
Winners were selected by a national jury of landscape architects. A total of 72 submissions were received. Criteria applied by the jurors included:
- demonstration of a deep understanding of the craft of landscape architecture and attention to composition and detail;
- demonstration of excellence in leadership, project management, breadth of work, new directions, or new technology;
- innovation in concept, process, materials, or implementation;
- promotion of the discipline amongst related professions, clients, and the general public; and,
- demonstration of exemplary environmental and/or social awareness.
“I applaud our urban design team for continuing to develop plans for 20-minute walkable communities and showing the way on how we unlock the potential of Uptown Brampton,” said Mayor Patrick Brown.
The Steeles stop of the Hurontario LRT is noted in the Metrolinx 2041 Regional Transportation Plan and the Brampton Official Plan as a Gateway Mobility Hub. This designation supports high density growth and design considerations for multiple modes of travel, including high quality walking and cycling infrastructure.
“If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we must be ready to adapt to changing behaviours. Transforming Uptown into a transit-oriented community makes perfect sense for our residents, businesses and local stakeholders,” Medeiros said.