York Region's nine local municipalities are as diverse and distinct as its residents and businesses. They range from highly urban areas in the south and along the Regional Corridors of Yonge Street and Highway 7, to more rural and agricultural areas in the north. The Region's urban structure is composed of a series of centres and corridors surrounded by a number of suburban neighbourhoods, rural towns, villages, and hamlets. Each has a distinct character and sense of place that makes York Region a desirable place to live and work.

 

The Region will be experiencing a significant amount of growth in the years to come. The current population of the Region is 1,062,000, and is forecasted to be at 1.5 million by 2031, and 1.8 million by 2051.

 

This growth will be accommodated by intensification within the existing urban area, particularly in the four Regional Centres of Newmarket Centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Markham Centre, and the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Cetnre and along the Regional Corridors of Yonge Street, Highway 7, and portions of Davis Drive and Green Lane. This growth will be done in an integrated manner which combines the planning of complete communities with necessary infrastructure and services for the community. Communities will be designed to have integrated greenspace, pedestrian and transit networks, and that offer a variety of housing, transportation, human services, and employment options, and be sustainable by incorporating green building technologies, and renewable and alternative energy options

 

The Towns and Villages, and community areas will also experience some growth. While each of these areas are unique, they will be knitted together by common principles and policies established in the Regional Official Plan that set a high standard for development across the Region. Accommodating growth through intensification and the development of complete new communities ensures that important agricultural lands and greenlands are protected, and infrastructure is used efficiently.

 

York Region is committed to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for both residents and businesses, which are vital to maintaining and improving quality of life and economic competitiveness. These include transit, streets, water, wastewater, waste management. The effective provision of services involves reducing demand while expanding and updating existing infrastructure. This approach requires a strong policy framework, dynamic partnerships and sustainable infrastructure investment from all levels of government.

York Region has adopted a conservation-first approach to servicing the needs of residents. This approach aims to maximize the use of existing infrastructure while strategically leveraging future infrastructure investments. The intent is to improve the quality of life of residents by promoting healthy lifestyles while also managing the financial impacts of growth and enhancing the natural environment. A reduction in the relative demand for services across the Region is predicated on a greater awareness and behavioural change by residents, employers and policy makers.