Transit-Oriented Development — Case Studies

These Transit-oriented Development case studies highlight compact mixed-use residential developments which are built within a 5 minute walk (800m) of a transit node with the aim of intensification of neighbourhoods and supporting public transit ridership. Based upon interviews with developers, municipal planners and homeowners, the case studies provide insight into common challenges and creative solutions so that developers of future projects can build on those solutions.

For a summary of results of all 10 case studies, refer to Research Highlight Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Canadian Case Studies.

• Transit-Oriented Development Case Study: Equinox, Toronto
  The Equinox is in the City of Toronto, in the heart of the Scarborough Centre. The Centre is made up primarily of civic and commercial uses today, including the Scarborough Town Centre Shopping Mall, but is emerging into a compact and mixed-use growth node through a focus on infill residential development. The Equinox site is immediately beside the Scarborough Centre Rapid Transit Station and is directly connected to the station by a pedestrian bridge.
  
• Transit-Oriented Development Case Study: The Bridges, Calgary
  The Bridges is a City of Calgary-led project, just across the Bow River from downtown, in the Bridgeland neighbourhood, adjacent to the Bridgeland LRT station. The Bridges was planned as a compact transit-oriented urban village that respects, enhances and takes cues from the surrounding neighbourhood, while creating a distinct environment on its own.
• Transit Oriented Development Case Study — Portland Hills Residential Community, Dartmouth (Halifax Regional Municipality), N.S.
  Portland Hills is an 111 ha project in an established, low-density, suburban context in Dartmouth, N.S. At build out, the development will include 423 single-detached units, 269 townhouse units and 440 multi-family units with a commercial-retail area, a school and significant open space. It is adjacent to a major bus rapid transit station that was planned and implemented after Phase 1 was completed.
  
• Les Cochères de la gare, Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec
  Les Cochères de la gare is a 4-storey, 94-unit condominium in the Town of Sainte-Thérèse. It is 90 m from a commuter train station with service to downtown Montréal. The project is a model for collaboration between a municipality and a private developer.
  
• Collingwood Village, Vancouver, British Columbia
  Collingwood Village is a high-density, mixed-use urban village centred around a SkyTrain Station in Vancouver. It is considered a highly successful transit-oriented development (TOD) that combines transit-supportive densities with good connections to the transit station and a mixed-use urban village. The City and the developer negotiated a number of neighbourhood amenities including a community centre, daycare and community policing station.
• Metropole, Ottawa, Ontario
  Metropole is a residential development in Ottawa's Westboro neighbourhood, about six km (3.7 mi.) west of downtown. Comprised of a 32-storey condominium tower and 68 townhouses, Metropole takes full advantage of the site's proximity to and view of the Ottawa River. Ottawa's Transitway (rapid bus network) abuts the south side of the site, with the Westboro Station less then 200 metres from the site.
• Port Credit Village, Mississauga, Ontario
  The award winning Port Credit Village (Phase I) is a a mixed-use project with 410 residential units located along the City of Mississauga's Lake Ontario waterfront within easy walking distance of the Port Credit GO Station (commuter rail) and market area of the historic Port Credit community. Port Credit Village is located on the former St. Lawrence Starch Lands that functioned as a heavy industrial site.
• Short Street, Saanich, British Columbia
  Short Street is a small residential enclave surrounded by arterial streets and commercial retail development in the District of Saanich, B.C. Developed by the municipality to target redevelopment of the blocks around Short Street, this innovative, mixed-use project features 72 residential units and three commercial retail units.
• Time, North Vancouver, British Columbia
  Time is a 265 unit, mixed use project located within easy walking distance of the passenger ferry (SeaBus) terminal and associated market at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. The project was completed as part of the on-going re-development of a former industrial area that is now the region's highest density town centre. Complementing the two residential towers is a drug store, a grocery store and a community centre that is owned and operated by the City.
• Village de la Gare, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec
  The Village de la Gare in Mont-Saint-Hilaire is considered to be the first master-planned transit-oriented development project in the province of Quebec. The project was started in 2002 after commuter train service was introduced linking the Town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire to Montreal. The project is the result of a unique collaboration among the municipality, the metropolitan transit authority and a private developer.