Toronto’s Ambitious Plan to Build 1 Million Homes near Transit Stations
The City of Toronto is moving forward with an ambitious initiative to construct over one million homes in proximity to transit stations. This plan, aimed at enhancing density and urban development, is set to bring significant changes to the city’s landscape.
During a recent briefing at City Hall, Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto’s chief planner unveiled details of the plan, which includes increasing density and maximum building heights near 120 transit stations. The vision is to create vibrant communities around these key transportation hubs, with taller buildings near the stations that gradually transition into shorter structures and lower-density areas.
Approved by the province in August, Toronto’s new housing strategy aims to unlock a total of 1.5 million homes over the next 25 years. Chief planner Jason Thorne emphasized that streamlining the approval process for new developments will be a key focus, eliminating the need for lengthy site-specific amendments and rezoning applications.
While these changes are projected to revitalize neighborhoods and address the pressing housing crisis, there may be resistance from some residents, especially in areas facing more drastic transformations. Mayor Chow stressed the importance of tackling the housing shortage by building affordable homes efficiently.
Before the plan can be implemented, it must go through City Council for final approval. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of affordable housing provisions in the proposed developments, with calls for a more balanced approach that includes a significant percentage of affordable units.
Despite some skepticism from stakeholders about the willingness of Toronto’s planning department to adapt to these changes, the city remains committed to its goal of creating sustainable and inclusive communities for its residents.