11-29-2015, 01:59 PM
I think one of the biggest things causing people to worry about this issue is the growth in the tech sector specifically in downtown Kitchener, which is causing people to make comparisons with San Francisco.
And this is what is key, IMHO. We're not doing a bad job right now with the ability to increase housing stock at reasonable costs, but we could still be doing much better. KW should be learning from Northdale about what's possible in terms of mixed-use zoning and parking ratios.
(11-29-2015, 01:17 AM)Memph Wrote: I think that as long as new housing is allowed to be built in decent quantities in K-W, which means not just allowing high density on a few sites but also moderate densities on a larger amount of sites*... and also parking requirements are relatively low, then there won't be too much gentrification. More well-to-do people will move into the new condos and nicer historic homes, but older apartments will remain affordable and the formerly expensive housing built 0-10 years ago will begin to filter down.
And this is what is key, IMHO. We're not doing a bad job right now with the ability to increase housing stock at reasonable costs, but we could still be doing much better. KW should be learning from Northdale about what's possible in terms of mixed-use zoning and parking ratios.