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LIVABILITY Is the downtown vibrant, liveable & connected? Population London’s downtown population growth has been relatively strong; from 2001 to 2006 the population increased by a quarter, and in the decade following 1996, it grew over a third. In 2006, downtown London’s population was 3,430 and today it has reached approximately 5,000. Growth in the downtown outpaced that of the remainder of the Central London Planning District (includes downtown), which recorded a growth of 1% during this period. Downtown London still relies heavily on a day time population for vitality with a ratio of day time to night time population of 10:1. Downtown London is adjacent to single family neighbourhoods on all four sides (North and East - Woodfield; South - SOHO; West - Petersville). These neighbourhoods are well connected by pedestrian and cycling trails so residents can easily access and support the downtown. Diversity Approximately 57% of the downtown population is single, versus 28% citywide. Downtown London has a slightly lower proportion of immigrants (18%) than the citywide population. Additionally, 10% of downtown residents identify themselves as a visible minority. Housing While the majority of London’s housing stock is single family dwellings, almost all downtown residents live in apartments. There are also much higher levels of renting in the downtown; 71% of dwellings are rented downtown compared with 38% citywide. Housing prices have also been rising in the downtown and from 2001 to 2006, the average value of an owned unit downtown increased by 63%. In addition the downtown has an average household size of 1.6 compared to 2.4 citywide. Downtown has 3,430 residents 37% population growth downtown between 1996-2006 (compared to 8% citywide) 18% of the downtown population are international migrants (compared to 21% citywide) 1.6 is the average household size (compared to 2.4 citywide) Downtown does not have any large format grocery stores, yet it does have a fresh produce market (Covent Garden Market) 106 View of Downtown London from above
Safety The reputation of downtown London is affected by negative perceptions concerning safety. Contributing to this ‘image problem’ is the location of the City’s social services located at London’s main downtown intersection (Richmond and Dundas Streets’), which brings vulnerable populations from the entire region to the downtown. There are advantages to this highly accessible cluster of services for the people that rely on them, yet these needs must also be balanced with those of other downtown user groups who are looking to grow the level of activity in the downtown. In managing this complex issue, it will be important to consider that as more people have positive experiences in downtown London, this perception of crime will likely diminish of its own accord. Land Uses Downtown London is dominated by office and retail uses and transportation. Residential uses occupy a sixth of all land uses. Many large City properties with public infrastructure are also located downtown (JLC, Convent Garden Market). On the boundaries of the downtown are two large parks. Commercial 54% Industrial 0% Institutional 11% Residential 16% Open Space 1% Transportation 18% Vacant 0% Public Realm A decade ago, with downtown retail hollowed out and with few residents – the “spaces” in downtown London struggled to attract the people they needed to be vital. In response, the City has invested in the public realm, making it more attractive and drawing increased activity to the downtown, which in turn attracts even more activity and helps to accelerate the downtown revitalization process. The City has focused on enhancing its public realm by restoring, repurposing and readapting its own heritage buildings. The public realm has also been enhanced through the introduction of new infrastructure, street trees, benches and other furniture, and more pedestrian-friendly streets. Secondly, the City has created financial incentives to support the private sector in upgrading their heritage building stock. These two processes are interconnected, because as the public leads the way on major new investments it can entice the private sector to upgrade their own sites to improve the attractiveness of the area. For example, the construction of the John Labatt Centre has stimulated the lease-up of storefronts along adjacent King Street. London is known as “The Forest City” and downtown has green edges to the north and the west, with a number of large parks surrounding it – Victoria, Harris, Labatt, and Ivey Parks. However, the downtown itself contains minimal open spaces and the Downtown Master Plan Report 2010 identified the need for “smaller ‘pocket parks,’ small squares and seating areas.” The City has created public squares and spaces at Talbot and Dundas Street and John Labatt Center. Covent Garden Market has also developed a significant public space that features 107
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would
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CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........
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Additionally this project aims to b
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with the selected downtown study ar
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KEY FINDINGS The project team devel
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Downtowns are iconic and powerful s
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Victoria have very sensitive downto
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PROSPERITY Does the downtown have a
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These are very promising signs, yet
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Downtowns are making a major contri
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The densest downtown is Vancouver a
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Downtowns are important places for
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Winnipeg Fredericton Edmonton Halif
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Downtown Toronto and downtown Vanco
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Municipal Investments (mapped inves
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DOWNTOWN CASE STUDIES 32
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Downtown Halifax Timeline 1749 - 20
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VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
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VISIONARY Does the downtown have st
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LIVEABILITY Is the downtown vibrant
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sites for redevelopment that are cu
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Summary of Municipal Investments Pr
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Key Patterns of Investment: 1. Cent
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Future Investments The proposed Con
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Downtown Fredericton Timeline 1749
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PROSPERITY: Is the downtown’s eco
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Page 64 and 65: 2. Enhancing the waterfront Committ
Page 66 and 67: Downtown Ottawa Timeline 1792 - 201
Page 68 and 69: VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
Page 70 and 71: charges have recently been reinstat
Page 72 and 73: Many of the federally occupied buil
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Page 78 and 79: Summary of Public Investments Publi
Page 80 and 81: Key Patterns of Investment: Convent
Page 82 and 83: Downtown Toronto Timeline 1793 - 20
Page 84 and 85: Context Map: Key Assets and Feature
Page 86 and 87: The downtown study area differs sli
Page 88 and 89: http://www.architravel.com/architra
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Page 92 and 93: Municipal Tax Base The downtown mak
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Page 96 and 97: STRATEGY Is the City Strategically
Page 98 and 99: Public Investments in Downtown Toro
Page 100 and 101: 5. Strengthening Communities Invest
Page 102 and 103: Downtown London Timeline 1840 - 201
Page 104 and 105: VISIBILITY Does the Downtown have a
Page 106 and 107: PROSPERITY: Is the downtown’s eco
Page 110 and 111: picnic tables, cafe tables with umb
Page 112 and 113: Summary of Capital Projects: 1998-2
Page 114 and 115: Key Patterns of Investment: The Cit
Page 116 and 117: WINNIPEG Growing in strength and co
Page 120 and 121: VISIONARY Does the downtown have st
Page 122 and 123: PROSPERITY: Is the downtown’s eco
Page 124 and 125: LIVABILITY Is the downtown vibrant,
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Page 130 and 131: Ship Street, Sky, and The Strand. T
Page 132 and 133: Downtown Saskatoon Timeline 1903 -
Page 134 and 135: VISIBILITY Does the downtown have a
Page 136 and 137: Leadership and Collaboration The Ci
Page 138 and 139: Office Development Private office s
Page 140 and 141: LIVEABILITY Is the downtown vibrant
Page 144 and 145: Key Patterns of Investment: 1. Conn
Page 146 and 147: EDMONTON a downtown filled with mom
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Page 152 and 153: Retail Development It has been obse
Page 154 and 155: LIVABILITY Is the downtown vibrant,
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156 Municipal Investments in Downto
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downtown zoning bylaws ensure that
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Downtown Vancouver Timeline 1859 -
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PROSPERITY Is the downtown’s econ
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The downtown also generates a fifth
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Eastside community, which could pot
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uild freeways into downtown Vancouv
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172 Downtown Vancouver Capital Proj
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2. Building complete communities In
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Context Map: Key Assets and Feature
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The City has also taken strong lead
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downtown is striving to offer a uni
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Safety Downtown Victoria has faced
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STRATEGY Is the City Strategically
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Pattern of Investment: Investing in
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QUICK WINS FOR CANADIAN DOWNTOWNS O
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Connecting the Downtown with Natura
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comprehensive planning processes to
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uilding and reconnect it with surro
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198 APPENDICES
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Yet, where the municipality had not
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Data Gaps From the outset of this p
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The foundation of the five principl
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was also collected that examines pr
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APPENDIX 2 - PHOTO CREDITS Front Co
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Context Map The Harbour: http://www
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Toronto 212 Confederation Square: h
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214 Rebuilt Covent Garden Market: h
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Parking lots: The Alberta Legislatu
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Victoria Cover Page Red Second post
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APPENDIX 3 - REFERENCE LIST City of
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City of Edmonton. (2010). Capital C
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City of Vancouver. (2007). Downtown
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Condos Victoria BC. (2011). The Atr
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Harris Consulting (2007). City of V
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The Star Phoenix Website. (2011). S
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