Chapter 3: Supporting Growth
Chapter 3: Supporting Growth
Community investments and implementation options
The individual communities that make up the Riley Communities share common amenities, services, parks and open spaces and public facilities and depend on each others various attributes and services. This includes access to Main Streets and Activity Centres, recreation opportunities, or the network of multi-use pathways that surround and weave throughout and between the neighbourhoods.
Chapter 3 and Appendix A of the Plan include investment priorities for community improvements. These identified priorities do not have associated funding and have no timeline attached to implementation. As future investment priorities, they may be implemented by a variety of groups – including The City, developers, or community organizations – in connection with redevelopment if and when funding becomes available.
The Plan identifies five goals that align with the Plan’s five core values. These goals guide local objectives to support the Plan’s vision. They include supporting diverse housing choices, improving the mobility network and transit station areas and investing in recreational opportunities and parks, open spaces and natural areas. Specific actions are identified to achieve the supporting growth goals.
Core value: Housing choices
Supporting diverse housing options to meet the evolving needs of existing and future residents
Objectives:
- Provide and enable inclusive, diverse and equitable housing options across the Plan Area.
- Increase opportunities for non-market housing and mixed-market housing provision that meets the diverse and changing needs, life stages and financial abilities of individuals.
- Recognize and protect historic homes and buildings.
Core value: Moving to and through the Riley Communities
Improving connectivity for all mobility options between destinations within and beyond the Plan Area
Objectives:
- Prioritize pedestrian and cycling connections and complete missing links to amenities and points of interest across the Plan Area, especially to transit station areas, Main Streets, community association sites, schools, parks and natural areas.
- Improve and expand upon the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure network, including the Always Available for All Ages and Abilities (5A) Network, to support active modes of travel.
- Enable and support improved transit service and accessibility, especially on Primary Transit Network corridors, throughout the Plan Area.
Core value: Parks, recreation and public space
Enhancing and conserving existing parks, open spaces and natural areas
Objectives:
- Improve the functionality of existing parks and open spaces so that these spaces can do more for more people.
- Improve the ecological functionality of existing parks and open spaces within the ecological network.
- Explore opportunities for new parks and open space throughout the Plan Area.
- Enhance community facilities and activate outdoor spaces through the inclusion of infrastructure, such as lighting, access to electricity, drinking fountains and washrooms, where appropriate.
- Enhance existing civic facilities and community spaces in the Plan Area.
- Support accessible, inclusive and year-round amenities for parks and open spaces.
- Protect, maintain and enhance riparian areas along the Bow River to facilitate wildlife movement, biodiversity and overall health while improving resilience to erosion, flooding and impacts to water quality.
Core value: Climate resilience
Strengthening climate resilient infrastructure and design measures through new developments
Objectives:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all development and redevelopment.
- Reduce climate risks by addressing vulnerabilities to climate change hazards.
- Emphasize the economic, social and environmental benefits of green infrastructure, civic facilities, riparian areas, the urban forest and open spaces.
- Maintain, enhance and expand the existing tree canopy on public and private land.
Core value: Safe and accessible communities
Ensuring the community is safe and accessible for all age groups and demographics
Objectives:
- Design public spaces to be welcoming to everyone regardless of age, gender expression, or mobility.
- Limit barriers to movement and participation for those with limited mobility.
- Improve pedestrian and cycling safety around key destinations such as schools, parks and transit stations.
