"Smart Growth" - a basic introduction
SMART GROWTH = re-urbanization = (residential intensification + Central Transit Corridor)

If you talk to most residents in my neighbourhood, they have no understanding about either the nature or the impact of SMART GROWTH. But the reality is that SMART GROWTH is the planning concept that will guide all future growth related planning issues in Cambridge, and in our local neighbourhoods

SMART GROWTH = RGMS (Regional Growth Management Strategy) = P2G (Places to Grow - Growth Plan)

Most residents tend to view themselves as living in neighbourhood. And unless the understand the impact of the potential impact of re-urbanization or intensification on their local streets, then planning process has failed. And it has failed in this area of public education and awareness. Why have our politicians not explained the 'planned impacts' of SMART GROWTH? The research is clear on one issue: there is not single SG project that did not first start with neighbourhood discussions. When did you Councillor, regional or city,  last inform you about any single aspect of SG in Cambridge?

SMART GROWTH, intensification, re-urbanization, central transit, brownfield development, housing density hard edges, P2G, etc. are the buzz words that when appled will define how and where we live. Neighbourhoods such as ours will be changed .... like it or not. One politician jokingly (I hope) saide to me that "I could move if I did not like what was happening in our area."

I reside in what was historically known as Cambridge Mills. Two residential intensification projects have been approved for our area. No matter what the historic nature and form of your current neighbourhood, intensification is coming. More later.

"on June 24, 2003, Regional Council adopted the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS) to proactively manage this growth. One of the lillars of this strategy is the implementation of Rapid Transit.."

That simple official statement presents the basis for Smart Growth planning that will affect your neighbourhoods. How much have you been told by any government about how GRMS and P2G will affect your neighbourhood? Politicians and staff will simply cite GRMS and P2G to defend controversial planning projects. Ignore them at your own risk. Ask the folks in the Margaret St. and Lawrence St. neighbourhoods.

There is a simple link between the two major parts of the plan (puzzle).

"The purpose of the Rapid Transit Initiative undertaking is to provide the residents of Waterloo Region with greater transportation choice through the introduction of rapid transit service within the Region's primary reurbanization area set out in the Growth Management Strategy."

1.   Did you notice the phrase "reurbanization area"? Do you know if you live in a designated primary reurbanization area?
2.   And what does it mean for you if you do reside in such an area?
3.   Get ready to be REURBANIZED  as a result of official planning policy!

Official map of "potential reurbanization areas" ..... do you live in one of them?