Brantford Waterfront Master Plan
City of Brantford, Ontario

The Planning Partnership recently led a team in the successful completion of a Waterfront Master Plan for the Grand River and its tributaries, which total 30 km of river through the municipality. The Planning Partnership coordinated a team of specialists including ecologists, foresters, wildlife biologists, archaeologists, heritage planners and engineers.

 

The Master Plan was developed through an extensive consultation program in which stakeholders were involved in every decision-making milestone. Stakeholders included staff from the City and Conservation Authority, Councillors, First Nations people, representatives of interest groups and residents. Key issues were the preservation of significant natural and cultural heritage features, proposed development, the creation of trails, and water access. The Master Plan was developed through a series of workshops that entailed multi-day sessions, for which the team set up a temporary design studio in Brantford. The team collaborated with stakeholders through a variety of forums including site walks, one-on-one interviews, focus group meetings, design charrettes, presentations and open houses.

 

The completed Master Plan comprises 6 lenses: natural features, heritage and culture, destinations, parks, access and neighbourhoods/districts. Each lens of the Master Plan includes principles, a framework plan and a description of key initiatives. The Master Plan also includes demonstration plans for three target areas and special management guidelines for species at risk. The strategy to implement the key directions of the Master Plan identifies priorities, timing, order of magnitude costs, suggestions for coordination and recommendations for changes to planning policy. The Master Plan has received broad-based community support.