Transition Zones constitute an inclusive, integrative and value-added counter-weight to the exclusionary and protectionist nature of the City’s existing Neighbourhood land use policies, which place disproportionate significance on respecting and reinforcing the “prevailing physical character” of the “geographic Neighbourhood”. Beyond form and density, Transition Zones serve as a principle-based and value-driven approach to achieving broader city-building objectives. By thoughtfully responding to the unique context of servicing, infrastructure and amenity needs at the neighbourhood-scale, Transition Zones can help meet the needs of local residents, workers and visitors.
Housing NeedsTransition Zones have the potential to facilitate the provision of financial obtainable and supportive housing, as well as related services. These include affordable, social and co-operative housing, rooming and co-housing, senior and student housing, and shelter and transitional housing. They can also support a greater range of housing tenures. These include freehold ownership, condominium / stratified ownership, rental, and mixed-tenure housing.
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Changes in Lifestyle and Work-Life BalanceTransition Zones serve as an opportunity to facilitate low impact, non-residential uses which do not require main street exposure, which are necessary to accommodate anticipated changes in lifestyle and work-life balance. These include live-work uses, co-working and maker spaces, incubator spaces, and other “third spaces”. They also assist in supporting the viability of convenience and neighbourhood-based retail uses, and could serve as a means of facilitating the re-introduction of the traditional “corner store”.
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Community Services, Amenities and Food SecurityTransition Zones have the potential to support the creation of flexible community-led spaces, which can serve as micro-hubs of community activity and can be co-located and integrated with public parks, open spaces and other community services and facilities. These spaces can provide a range of resident-based services, which promote the circular economy and can be tailored to meet community needs. These include lending spaces (e.g. Library of Things), reselling and trading spaces, knowledge and talent-sharing spaces, meeting spaces, and community event and activity spaces, antique and craft markets, community gardens, and community food banks.
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Community Infrastructure
Transition Zones serve as an opportunity to realize a range and diversity of community-based infrastructure, which accommodates for anticipated changes in modal split and commuting patterns. These include bicycle parking, bicycle share docking stations, and e-bicycle and e-scooter docking and charging stations. It also includes dedicated, metered and signed loading zones, as well as dedicated parcel delivery, pick-up and drop-off facilities, to optimize curbside management in response to anticipated increases in package delivery.