Natural Heritage

Design Principles:

1. Preserved & Enhanced: Natural heritage should be preserved to protect natural vegetation, ecological functions and the cultural landscape. Adjoining development should be compatible with the natural environment and appropriately set back or buffered.

2. Integrated: Development should reinforce historic connections to the landscape by providing physical and visual connections to natural features, parks and the surrounding landscapes. Natural heritage features can define the edges or centres of neighbourhoods and should be easily visible to create a strong sense of local identity. Where appropriate, public access should be permitted while natural features and sensitive habitats are preserved.

3. Make Nature Visible: The alignment of streets and blocks should be configured to create a high degree of visibility and accessibility to natural elements and their ecosystems, thereby encouraging ecological awareness. Direct visibility and access to woodlots, stream corridors, and other natural features should provide opportunities for outdoor education for area residents and local schools. Conversely, access  should be restricted where necessary.

Source: Regional Municipality of Niagara, Model Urban Design Guidelines, 2005

Additional Resources:

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) ‘Land Use Policies for Valleylands, Stream Corridors, and Floodplains’.

Pending - Region of Niagara Tree Conservation & Forest Conservation By-Laws.

Niagara Escarpment Centre Plan Review
http://www.escarpment.org/plan_review.htm

Ontario Conserves
http://www.ontarioconserves.gov.on.ca/english/index.asp

Ministry of the Environment
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/

Conservation Ontario
http://www.conservation-ontario.on.ca/

Niagara Restoration Council
http://www.niagararestoration.org/

City of Vancouver
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/treebylaw/treedev.htm