Urban Design Guidelines - Employment Areas - Town of Ajax

EMPLOYMENT AREAS URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES5.0 Areas of SpecialTreatmentAreas such as gateways, landmark locations,Highway 401, cross roads, and nodes of land useintensity, are opportunities for special treatmentsincluding enhanced and contextually unique urbandesign, architecture and landscape. Ajax’s uniqueheritage provides an opportunity for interpretationand expression not only in areas of specialtreatment, but throughout employment areas.5.1 Gateways and LandmarksSpecial opportunities exist at gateways to create asense of arrival or entry and reinforce the image ofthe employment lands. Because of their prominentlocations, these sites are recognizable landmarksand community-orienting focal points.Landmark locations are highly visible sites withinemployment lands. They are created when one ormore of the following factors come together:• they are located along important street corridors;• they are at a crossroads or gateway;• they are located at the end view of a street, forinstance at a T-intersection, or a bend in thestreet; and/or,• they are adjacent to an important open space.Landmark architecture and landscaping at thecorner of important streetsThe approach to landmark locations follows thepublic identity elements identified in section 3.3Streetscapes. Landmark locations becomecommunity-orienting focal points that benefit fromthe application of special design.• Locate special buildings or places at the end ofview corridors. Encourage pedestrian squaresor courtyards which can be used for publicpurposes at these locations.• Locate buildings close to the street at thegateway or landmark.• Provide identifiable architectural features forbuildings at gateways or landmarks, such astowers, enhanced elevation treatment, uniquemassing of roof lines, a multi-storey presence, orother prominent architectural forms.• Design buildings to support the overall image ofthe employment areas.• Locate main building entrances at the gatewayor landmark.JULY 2006 51