Transit Villages

York Region is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. By 2026, the residential population is projected to reach 1.3 million, and employment will be almost 700,000. As part of its Growth Management Program, York Region is planning compact, well-designed urban communities to reduce urban sprawl and pollution while protecting agricultural lands and environmentally significant areas.

Four designated urban centres — Markham Centre, Newmarket Centre, Bayview Glen in Richmond Hill, and Vaughan Corporate Centre — will be linked by rapid transit along four key transportation corridors. See the York Region Centres and Corridors Study for more information. These new Transit Villages will be characterized by an attractive mix of land uses, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths, and increased transit ridership.

Viva will link the Transit Villages, encouraging more efficient land use patterns along the corridors. A rapid transit system is vital to the success of implementing the Region's Smart Growth policy, because it encourages residents and businesses to locate in already urbanized areas for a improved quality of life.

Transit Villages are the key to Smart Growth

• Transit Villages combine residential, employment and commercial uses to create vibrant, interesting, diverse and community-oriented gathering places

• Station areas become the core areas of Transit Villages

• Medium density developments, such as stacked townhouses, low-rise office buildings and commercial spaces provide a buffer between station areas and existing residential neighbourhoods

• High-quality streetscaping and transitions from commercial to residential to employment districts provide an overall sense of cohesion

• Transit Villages support transit ridership by providing better pedestrian environments along the corridors and around stops and stations

• Wider sidewalks, walkways, trails and bicycle paths improve connectivity throughout the village districts

• With a balance of daytime and nighttime uses, Transit Villages are becoming increasingly popular with retirees, singles and young couples.