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Centers guides and research

Planning and conservation  ›  Planning library  ›  Downtowns and main streets research  ›  Guides and research

Learn more about principles and strategies for developing mixed-use urban centers.

Metro Urban Centers: An evaluation of the density of development

Evaluates the ability of mixed-use areas and corridors to provide additional development capacity, as an alternative to acquiring that capacity through expansion of the regional urban growth boundary.

Ten Principles for achieving region 2040 centers

Recommendations for a proactive approach to redevelopment of centers, through enhanced partnerships between regional government, local government and the private sector, working together to bring about quality development and the meaningful growth of centers.

Center-corridor study

Explores the relationship between 2040 designated corridors and centers, including how they complement and compete with each other. Provides recommendations regarding actions that could improve the performance of both designations from both land use and transportation perspectives.

Files and related materials

• Metro urban centers: An evaluation of the density of development 1.3M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 1, 2001
• Ten principles for achieving centers 8.7M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 2, 2002
• Center-corridor study summary 2.0M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published October 4, 2005

Related Links

The 2040 Match of the Century: Corridors vs. Centers

Download and view a lively debate of different strategies for implementing the 2040 growth concept, the region’s plan for the future, featuring professors Patrick Condon, University of British Columbia, and Gordon Price, Simon Fraser University.