Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) 2020 Appendix B Excerpts from the

Settlement Areas Settlement areas are urban areas and rural settlement areas, and include cities, towns, villages and hamlets. Ontario’s settlement areas vary significantly in terms of size, density, population, economic activity, diversity and intensity of land uses, service levels, and types of infrastructure available. The vitality and regeneration of settlement areas is critical to the long-term economic prosperity of our communities. Development pressures and land use change will vary across Ontario. It is in the interest of all communities to use land and resources wisely, to promote efficient development patterns, protect resources, promote green spaces, ensure effective use of infrastructure and public service facilities and minimize unnecessary public expenditures.

1.1 Managing and Directing Land Use to Achieve Efficient and Resilient Development and Land Use Patterns 1.1.1 Healthy, liveable and safe communities are sustained by:

a) promoting efficient development and land use patterns which sustain the financial well-being of the Province and municipalities over the long term;

b) accommodating an appropriate affordable and market-based range and mix of residential types (including single-detached, additional residential units, multi-unit housing, affordable housing and housing for older persons), employment (including industrial and commercial), institutional (including places of worship, cemeteries and long-term care homes), recreation, park and open space, and other uses to meet long-term needs;

c) avoiding development and land use patterns which may cause environmental or public health and safety concerns;

d) avoiding development and land use patterns that would prevent the efficient expansion of settlement areas in those areas which are adjacent or close to settlement areas;

e) promoting the integration of land use planning, growth management, transit-supportive development, intensification and infrastructure planning to achieve cost-effective development patterns, optimization of transit investments, and standards to minimize land consumption and servicing costs;

f) improving accessibility for persons with disabilities and older persons by addressing land use barriers which restrict their full participation in society;

g) ensuring that necessary infrastructure and public service facilities are or will be available to meet current and projected needs;

h) promoting development and land use patterns that conserve biodiversity; and

i) preparing for the regional and local impacts of a changing climate.