Making Neighbourhoods Even Better
Many residents like their neighbourhoods and don't always welcome change. BuildingIN respects these concerns and focuses on bringing investments to make existing neighbourhoods better with more sensitive, compatible infill. BuildingIN also results in multi-unit low-rise housing that is in scale with existing housing types so that the visual impacts of this change are minimal.
BuildingIN makes infill possible only in qualifying areas that share a set of characteristics: existing older neighbourhoods that can become more walkable and support public transit, and areas with traditionally underused land that can be used more efficiently for new housing. They are also neighbourhoods that are well-suited to investments that will create new parks, tree-lined streets, a diversity of shops nearby that are accessible by foot, public amenities such as libraries, schools, and community centres.​
When we add housing to neighbourhoods, BuildingIN ensures that this change is for the better. BuildingIN uses simulation to show you just how that will happen for housing supply, emissions reductions, fiscal sustainability, and complete walkable communities.
"People who live in monofunctional, car-dependent neighbourhoods outside of urban centers are are much less trusting of other people than people who live in walkable neighbourhoods where housing is mixed with shops, services, and places to work. They are also much less likely to know their neighbours."
–Charles Montgomery in Happy City
Trees and Tree Canopy
Trees are key to our quality of life within neighbourhoods. Canadians want to live in vibrant, complete communities with tree-lined streets. Trees improve air quality, reduce rain water run-off, reduce heat island effect, and improve our health.
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BuildingIN creates opportunities for cities to increase their investments in tree planting, especially where trees can shade walking paths. And overlay regulations make space for trees on infill development sites, rather than paving for parked cars.