Resources  

INDUSTRY RESEARCH, POSITIONS & PAPERS​​

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The WLO group has done extensive research to support and inform our opinions. Our full reference list is available here and within this open GoogleDrive folder.​

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Distributed Density

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• Density Done Right (external link)

  • Source: Ryerson University

  • Summary: This paper from Ryerson University argues that density becomes liveable if it is distributed.  We agree with most of its positions, but disagree that diktats of 3 or 4 units as of right is good planning at a community level.

 

• Distributed Density.pdf

  • Source: Paper using pics from google maps.  Reference -  See street votes below

  • Summary: A short paper illustrating the opportunity, as an example in Ward 3, to distribute density along single storey retail and office areas, of which there are many in Oakville. The paper also summarizes the alternative to 3-4 units as of right - aka “Street Votes”.

 

• Grand Boulevards and the AB 2011 Revolution (external link)

  • Source: HR Inc

  • Summary: This approach to distributed density was pioneered by Peter Calthorpe and legislated into practice in California

 

• Superbia (external link)

  • Source: SUPURBIA A study of urban intensification in outer London - work in progress

  • Summary: A forward-looking study of how to evolve our suburban areas to a denser and livable model

 

• Street Votes - Empowering communities for more and better housing (external link)

  • Source: YIMBY Alliance - Based on the “Supurbia” proposals of the Greater London Authority and HTA Design

  • Summary: A high-level summary of the “Street Votes” idea proposed in the UK. Which we believe is an attractive and more democratic approach to “gentle densification” of our neighborhoods rather  than a government diktat of 3 or 4 units as of right.  Follow the link to Home - YIMBY Alliance for more detail

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Liveability

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• Liveability 101 - What Makes a Community Livable? (external link)

  • Source: The American Institute of Architects

  • Summary: An overview of Livability considerations by the American Association of Architects

 

Other Resources (External Links)

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• Article: Decoupling density from tallness in analyzing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of cities

  • A nature partner journals / RMIT University paper on lifecycle greenhouse emissions of cities

 

• Architects Declare Open Letter re Tall Buildings

  • An open letter from 2023 on the need to move urban architecture away from tall buildings because of their negative effect on climate change

 

• The Guardian - Cities need Goldilocks housing density – not too high or low, but just right

  • An influential and much quoted article by Toronto writer Lloyd Alter on the need to avoid extreme urban densities in favour of the goldilocks density level. 

 

• Article - How tall should a building be: How not to build in a climate crisis

  • Also by Lloyd Alter, on the environmental cost of building tall. 

 

• York University - Sprawl can be vertical or horizontal, tackling it requires a hard look at housing policy

  • Article from York University, Toronto, on the need to address housing policy to counteract finance capital that is driving vertical sprawl in Toronto.

 

• American Society of Landscape Architects - Interview with Peter Calthorpe

  • From the American Society of Landscape Architects, an interview with visionary and influential urban planner, Peter Calthorpe.  

 

• Spacing - Explaining Transit Oriented Development: Benefits and Drawbacks

  • Article by Erick Villagomez, UBC professor, explaining transit oriented development and why tall towers are not necessary parts of TOD.