Complete Communities

Denser, compact communities are generally more liveable than sprawling suburban areas. Higher densities improve the viability of walking, biking, public transit, and other alternatives to the single occupant vehicle. They also tend to better support social and cultural centres.¹

Mixed-use development that brings together residential and commercial land uses allows people to live closer to work and amenities. Complete communities have a feeling of liveliness and energy about them. There are more people on the streets and greater opportunities for social interaction.

Victoria's Dockside Green development is meant to be a model complete community, with a mix of higher-density land uses, walking spaces,  and various public amenities - for example, a dock and boat launch, amphitheatre, sustainability centre, and access to the Galloping Goose cycling and walking trail.  For more information, see  http://www.docksidegreen.ca/.²

 

 

Notes:

(1)   Smart Growth BC (2001), The Smart Growth Toolkit, http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm?Group_ID=3383.

(2)   Dockside Green, Vancity, and Windmill (2006), Dockside Green Annual Sustainable Report, http://www.docksidegreen.ca/.