High Rise Buildings

Design Principles:

1. Human Scale: The human scale should be reinforced through appropriate building height, mass and architectural design.

2. Minimum Impact: The impact of high rise buildings on open spaces and adjacent properties should be minimized through adequate height and mass transition, separation, and landscaping.

3. Relate to Street: High rise buildings should have a strong relationship to the street, both by use and form.

4. Mixed Use: Retail Commercial uses are encouraged at-grade, especially for buildings with a total height of 5 storeys or greater. Office and/or Residential uses are encouraged above at-grade commercial.

5. Environmentally Sustainable: High rise buildings should be designed to achieve a high degree of environmental sustainability and address opportunities for solar orientation and water runoff minimization.

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