January 14
Strategy for Increasing Residential Densities
Metro Vancouver, BC

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (now Metro) asked Coriolis to explore strategies for increasing housing capacity in low density residential neighbourhoods without significantly changing their character. A very large share of the region’s residential land is occupied by low density (mainly single family) housing. Residents generally want to retain the character of their neighbourhood and are not sympathetic to redevelopment at high density. In order to increase housing capacity, there is a need to make more use of infill, secondary suites, row houses, and other housing forms that increase density while retaining the image of a low density area. Coriolis examined the market and financial regulatory obstacles to densification and suggested strategies for adding residential capacity.