Land Planning and Development Overview

Land Planning and Development

• Land planning is often led by developers, community groups, or the government.
• Land planning initiatives require a proposal outlining intentions and motivations.
• Government-led initiatives involve consultations with both community members and developers.
• Public and private partnerships can lead to unclear roles and responsibilities, especially with banks involved.
• The typical land development process involves:
  • Initial proposal development
  • Public consultation and stakeholder involvement
  • Approval from relevant authorities
  • Funding acquisition
  • Project implementation
  • Ongoing evaluation and adjustments
• Once approved, projects can change significantly from the original proposal, with developers having more flexibility.
• Community-led initiatives are often driven by citizen observations and a desire for widespread support.
• City-led initiatives rely on master plans, while developers operate with less transparency.
• Land ownership is a crucial aspect of land planning and development.
• The public sector owns vast amounts of land, including parks, waterfront properties, municipal buildings, and government housing.
• The federal and state governments own national parks.

Gentrification and Rezoning

• Gentrification occurs when an area becomes economically desirable, leading to changes in property values and residents.
• Developers often profit from gentrification.
• Rezoning is a lengthy process that involves public notification and consultation.
• Zoning divides areas into distinct zones for specific uses, such as housing and commercial activities.
• Zoning regulations dictate permitted activities within each zone.
• There is limited land that remains unzoned, typically around 1-3%.
• First Nations land is not subject to conventional zoning.
• Zoning's neutrality is debated.
• Common types of zoning regulations:
  • Use regulations: specifying permitted activities within a zone.
  • Intensity regulations: controlling the density and scale of development.
  • Design regulations: setting standards for building aesthetics and design.
  • Performance regulations: focused on mitigating negative impacts of development.

Parking and Setbacks

• Zoning ordinances often mandate parking requirements.
• Parking is typically located at the front or back of properties.
• Setbacks define minimum distances between buildings and property lines.
• Public notification is crucial when proposing zoning changes to ensure community awareness.

Addressing Gentrification

• Gentrification often leads to displacement of existing residents and increased housing costs.
• Key concerns:
  • Housing affordability
  • Community cohesion
  • Displacement of vulnerable populations.
• Addressing gentrification:
  • Promote affordable housing development.
  • Support community-led initiatives to maintain local character.
  • Implement rent controls.
  • Advocate for equitable policies and regulations.

Affordable Housing

• Housing affordability is influenced by various factors, including:
  • Rising housing prices
  • Limited supply of affordable units
  • Low wages
  • Inadequate social safety nets.
• Social housing is a form of subsidized housing typically reserved for low-income individuals and families.
• Social housing initiatives promote affordability, accessibility, and community development.
• Gentrification not only affects the target area but also its surrounding communities.
• Social Work plays a critical role in:
  • Advocating for vulnerable populations.
  • Supporting affordable housing development.
  • Promoting community-based solutions to housing challenges.

Facts and Possibilities

• Significant housing shortages exist in many areas.
• Governments and private developers need to invest in affordable housing.
• Various housing models have been proposed, including:
  • Tiny homes
  • Community Land Trusts
  • Gentle Urban Renewal

The Tiny Home Movement

• The tiny home movement proposes using small, affordable homes to address the housing crisis.
• Tiny homes are usually designed for energy efficiency and sustainable living.
• This model offers a more affordable housing option.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs)

• CLTs are non-profit organizations that promote affordable housing by owning land and leasing it to residents.
• CLTs aim to prevent gentrification by ensuring long-term affordability.
• CLTs contribute to community building and social equity.

Vienna's Radical Idea

• Vienna, Austria, has implemented a radical approach to affordable housing by:
  • Providing publicly owned housing.
  • Regulating housing costs.
  • Encouraging mixed-income housing developments.
  • Emphasizing social equity and accessibility.

Gentle Urban Renewal

• An approach to urban development that aims to improve communities while preserving existing character and affordability.
• Gentle Urban Renewal prioritizes community involvement and collaboration.
• It focuses on revitalization rather than displacement.

Public Housing Failure

• Public housing projects often failed to meet their objectives due to:
  • Inadequate funding.
  • Poor management.
  • Lack of community engagement.
  • Stigmatization of residents.

Community Land Trust Renaissance

• There are over 40 community land trusts operating in Canada.
• CLTs are gaining popularity as a potential solution to the affordability crisis.
• They provide a model for community-driven housing ownership.

Community Land Trust Benefits:

• Promote affordable housing.
• Preserve community character and social diversity.
• Preserve land for long-term use.
• Empower residents through community ownership and control.

Key Features of CLTs:

• Community ownership of land.
• A commitment to affordable housing.
• Long-term affordability guarantees.
• Collaborative governance including residents, community organizations, and local government.
• Residents have a say in how their community is developed.

Land Planning and Development

• Land planning is primarily led by developers, followed by cities and communities. Community consultation is crucial, especially at the beginning, for widespread support.
• Public-private partnerships can be unclear in terms of leadership, especially with banks involved.
• Projects can change from the initial proposal. Developers have flexibility, and funders typically wait for proposal approval before committing.
• Community-lead projects often arise from community observations, while city-lead initiatives rely on a master plan. Developers' data is often unclear.
• Land is important for these initiatives, alongside airspace. Gentrification can occur when land becomes economically desirable, often leading to developers profiting.

Zoning

• Zoning divides areas for distinct uses, typically housing and commercial.
• Zoning regulations are shaped in rectangles, favoring smaller urban areas over larger, more expensive rural areas.
• Parking is mandated by zoning ordinances.
• Setbacks define minimum distances between buildings and property lines.

Addressing Gentrification

• Rent-gap thesis suggests future rent increases are dependent on developer objectives.
• Measures to mitigate gentrification include rent controls, community ownership, and land banking.
• Cost drivers for affordable housing include increasing land values, construction costs, and operating expenses.
• Social housing aims to provide affordable housing for low-income households.
• Gentrification also affects surrounding areas, potentially causing displacement

Social Work & Housing

• Social Work is critical for organizing and assembling local action for positive change in housing.
• Tiny home movements offer a potential solution to the housing crisis.
• Community land trusts ensure land remains affordable for community development.

Vienna's Radical Idea

• Vienna utilizes a combination of social housing and market housing, resulting in affordable housing for most residents.
• The model involves public ownership of large portions of land, high-density construction, and tight regulations on private developers.

Gentrification

• Gentrification can involve the displacement of low-income communities.
• The "New Reality" video discusses the impact of gentrification on marginalized groups.

Community Land Trusts

• Community land trusts offer an alternative model for affordable housing.
• These trusts retain ownership of land while allowing private development.
• They aim to prevent displacement and promote community-based development.