Heritage

Quality of Life

Heritage conservation is fundamental to Smart Growth

One of the most important elements in containing urban sprawl is to intensify inner city land use. In most cities, the rehabilitation of old commercial or industrial buildings in the inner city, an area which is already served by urban infrastructure, poses a major opportunity for high-density development.
(Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2005)

Rejuvenating already developed areas conserves remaining open space, eliminates outward expansion and the need to create new and expensive infrastructure.
(University of Waterloo, 2003)

The redevelopment of existing buildings has environmental, social, and economic benefits
Redeveloping existing buildings is one way of promoting Smart Growth. Others include the purchase of land, restrictive growth policies, changing transportation patterns, and promoting compact development in new suburbs. The redevelopment of existing buildings is most effective because it contributes to:

Ecological health:
- Reduction in automobile use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduced risk of contaminating the city’s underground water supplies, since redevelopment does not involve disturbing potentially contaminated soil.
- Preservation of more scenic vistas and farmlands, and fewer ecosystem disruptions.
Public health:
- Reduction in automobile accidents.
- Increased physical health as a result of being close enough to walk or cycle to work or school.
Short and long-term economic feasibility:
- Lower infrastructure costs.
- Increased property tax revenue for local jurisdictions.
- Reduction in the deterioration of inner cities.