Improper land use practices do not impact just water, but the entire watershed system, whatever its size.  A land use planning decision for site-specific development can influence many watershed management and land use planning issues. The input of environmental objectives and management recommendations to the land use planning process at appropriate stages should promote informed decision making, which will in turn lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness of both processes.

Watershed/subwatershed plans and land use plans need to be responsive to the recommendations, policies and directions of the other. Any conflicts or inconsistencies which arise between the two should be resolved at the earliest possible stage. Finally, any integration of watershed/subwatershed plans and land use planning must be flexible in order to respond to local situations throughout the province.

Adapted from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Sub-watershed Planning Report and Conservation Ontario's Proposal for a Federally Supported Healthy Great Lakes Program.

Land Use Planning

Land use planning means managing our land and resources. It helps each community to set goals about how it will grow and develop and to work out ways of reaching those goals while keeping important social, economic and environmental concerns in mind. It balances the interests of individual property owners with the wider interests and objectives of the whole community. Good planning leads to orderly growth and the efficient provision of services. 

For information on  land use planning in Ontario see the Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning

For information on land use planning in Québec see the MNRF's Land Use Planning web page

Transportation Plans

Incorporating transportation plans into official community plans is key to ensuring legal weight. Municipalities can implement a number of sustainable transportation policies:

• Traffic Calming: Traffic calming can be achieved through lower speed limits, texturized pavement, traffic circles and diverters. Traffice calming works best on a comprehensive area wide process so that traffic does not simply diverted from one neighbourhood to another.

• Transit Priority: Transit priority measures such as bus only lanes, queue jumpers for buses, bus activated traffic signals, bus bulges (curb extensions on the sidewalk that allow buses to load people without pulling in and out of traffic). These measures increase the competitiveness of buses compared with cars. Transit infrastructure such as well-marked bus stops, bus shelters and maps help make transit convenient and comfortable.

• Cycling and Pedestrian Infrastructure: Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure including bike lanes and paths, cyclist and pedestrian activated traffic signals, continuous sidewalks that are well lit at night, well-marked crosswalks at every intersection. Urban design can encourage walking with wide sidewalks, stores that face the street with awnings over the sidewalk, street furniture and public art.

• Parking management: Most zoning bylaws stipulate minimum parking requirements for new homes and businesses. Free parking provided at shopping centres, businesses and on-street encourage automobile use. The actual cost of “free” parking is hidden in development costs, which in turn is reflected in unit costs, and prices of goods and services. Municipalities can reduce minimum parking bylaws or eliminate parking requirements altogether and provide bicycle parking, transit facilities, car-sharing opportunities or even green space instead.

Smart Growth

"Smart growth" is a collection of land use and development principles that aim to enhance quality of life, preserve the natural environment, and save money over time. Smart growth principles ensure that growth is fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible and recognizes the connections between development and quality of life. Smart growth enhances and completes communities by placing priority on infill, redevelopment, and densification strategies.

The smart growth principles are:

1. Mix land uses. Each neighbourhood has a mixture of homes, retail, business, and recreational opportunities.
2. Build well-designed compact neighbourhoods. Residents can choose to live, work, shop and play in close proximity. People can easily access daily activities, transit is viable, and local businesses are supported.
3. Provide a variety of transportation choices. Neighbourhoods are attractive and have safe infrastructure for walking, cycling and transit, in addition to driving.
4. Create diverse housing opportunities. People in different family types, life stages and income levels can afford a home in the neighbourhood of their choice.
5. Encourage growth in existing communities. Investments in infrastructure (such as roads and schools) are used efficiently, and developments do not take up new land.
6. Preserve open spaces, natural beauty, and environmentally sensitive areas. Development respects natural landscape features and has higher aesthetic, environmental, and financial value.
7. Protect and enhance agricultural lands. A secure and productive land base provides food security, employment, and habitat, and is maintained as an urban containment boundary.
8. Utilize smarter, and cheaper infrastructure and green buildings. Green buildings and other systems can save both money and the environment in the long run.
9. Foster a unique neighbourhood identity. Each community is unique, vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.
10. Nurture engaged citizens. Places belong to those who live, work, and play there. Engaged citizens participate in community life and decision-making.

Sourced from Smart Growth BC

For more information on Urban Sustainability Planning see the International Centre for Sustainable Cities