1.1.2 Sufficient land shall be made available to accommodate an appropriate range and mix of land uses to meet projected needs for a time horizon of up to 20 years. However, where an alternate time period has been established for specific areas of the Province as a result of a provincial planning exercise or a provincial plan, that time frame may be used for municipalities within the area.

Within settlement areas, sufficient land shall be made available through intensification and redevelopment and, if necessary, designated growth areas.

Nothing in policy 1.1.2 limits the planning for infrastructure and public service facilities beyond a 20-year time horizon. 

1.1.3 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 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.

• 1.1.3.1 Settlement areas shall be the focus of growth and development, and their vitality and regeneration shall be promoted.

• 1.1.3.2 Land use patterns within settlement areas shall be based on:

  1. densities and a mix of land uses which:

     1. efficiently use land and resources;

     2. are appropriate for, and efficiently use, the infrastructure and public service facilities which are planned or available, and avoid the need for their unjustified and/or uneconomical expansion;

     3. minimize negative impacts to air quality and climate change, and promote energy efficiency;

     4. support active transportation;

     5. are transit-supportive, where transit is planned, exists or may be developed; and

     6. are freight-supportive; and

  2. a range of uses and opportunities for intensification and redevelopment in accordance with the criteria in policy 1.1.3.3, where this can be accommodated.