Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

What Is The Role Of Public Participation In Planning Development Applications For Infill And Intensification: Evidence From Cambridge, Kitchener And Waterloo, Ontario, Deanne Friess

MPA Major Research Papers

The Ontario Planning Act makes public participation a requirement for most municipal planning decision. The intent of the legislated public process is to create a transparent public participatory process. However, the potential impact of the public participation is limited for certain types of applications as approvals are dependent on existing municipal planning policy and provincial direction. The province directs a large portion of new growth be accommodated through infill and intensification. Local municipalities apply the provincial direction in policies, plans, guidelines and regulations which encourage infill and intensification through land use permissions. Planning documents recognize that infill development protects agricultural …