Preserving Nature or Paving Paradise: Ford's Controversial Proposal to Develop Housing on the Greenbelt
photo: Image courtesy of Environment Journal.
September 1, 2023
As Toronto grapples with an acute housing crisis, the Ontario Government's plan to open the Greenbelt to housing development risks sacrificing these protected areas for short-term gains. This decision would deter the Greenbelt Plan's original goal to preserve our protected environments, resulting in harm to our ecosystem. More so, it is not a long-term solution to creating affordable housing in Ontario, and other environmentally sustainable approaches should be considered to meet the housing demands of a growing population. Developing innovative designs that prioritize energy efficiency and green building practices can address the housing shortage and minimize the ecological footprint. By promoting urban planning that prioritizes green spaces, Ontario can simultaneously foster sustainable development and preserve its natural environment.
The Greenbelt Act (2005) paved The Greenbelt Plan (2017) to protect biodiversity and our ecosystem and affirm ecological responsibility. Additionally, the Ontario Government acknowledges that it "also preserves cultural heritage and supports recreation and tourism in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe." Among its local benefits, the implementation of environmental strategies such as the Greenbelt Plan also has a greater effect on global environmental preservation. Its enactment is crucial to building and maintaining climate-resilient communities. Consequently, developing on the Greenbelt would not only defy its initial purpose to preserve land but jeopardize our ecological balance and potentially lead to irreversible damage. The loss of natural land can disrupt pollination and soil fertility and shift migration patterns, among many other environmental outcomes.
The decision poses a significant threat to the integrity of the Greenbelt Act and other environmentally-protected regulations. Such deviations establish a norm of bending rules and creating a permissive habit that could encourage similar transgressions in the future. Ensuring the adherence to and reinforcement of environmental laws in housing development is essential to maintaining the integrity of our ecological standards and preventing an erosion of regulatory standards that could compromise the well-being of current and future generations.
There are various representative cases of land destruction across continents showcasing these long-term consequences. For instance, human activity and industrialization have severely harmed the Amazon Rainforest. In less than a year (from August 2018 to July 2019), the Amazon lost over 3,800 sq. miles of forest, resulting in detrimental effects on water cycles, migration patterns, and carbon dioxide emissions. An alarming rate of land destruction raises significant concerns regarding the potential repercussions for Ontario's environment should comparable land destruction be permitted.
Also, despite the Ontario Government's intent to fuel the economy and profit from the housing market, the proposal would be economically disadvantageous in the long-term. While it may offer short-term relief, Ontario’s persistent population growth coupled with scarce land availability inevitably leads to a perpetual cycle of escalating housing costs. This is further reflected in Ontario’s current statistics on housing needs, where 15.3% of the population is in a housing crisis, the highest rate in the country. With ongoing inflation and rising prices, the need for affordable housing is emphasized. The Ontario Government’s proposal neglects to address the need for sustainability and community well-being. Sacrificing the Greenbelt for immediate housing needs exacerbates affordability challenges, creating a situation where short-term gains result in long-term economic setbacks.
On another hand, housing development on the Greenbelt fails to acknowledge the relationships between environmental health and residential quality of life. Studies in Toronto neighbourhoods examined the importance of environmental health on human health and mortality rate and notes that natural lands enhance health physically and psychologically. Other researchers have studied this relationship in Ontario's communities, such as a study by Villeneuve et. al. (2012) exploring the benefits of green spaces and parks to human health. The Greenbelt and its preserved natural landscapes therefore contribute to community wellbeing and health. Overlooking these factors could result in diminishing the quality of life in Ontario.
Instead, there are global leading examples to demonstrate how reconciliation between environmental considerations and housing is possible and has already been accomplished in other parts of the world. For instance, it is exemplified in Singapore's proactive approach to eco-friendly living and urban development. It has instituted numerous initiatives for sustainable development, such as alongside the Housing and Development Board (HDB) Green Towns Program. This program uses new technologies that reduce energy consumption, recycle rainwater, and cool HDB towns. The program also emphasizes enhancing existing infrastructure given Singapore's inherent constraints of limited land availability. In the city of Tengah, a development is underway, promising 42,000 new homes across five residential districts, even adding an innovative feature of providing all residents access to an app for monitoring their energy and water usage.
Singapore's successful implementation of eco-friendly initiatives in the face of land scarcity serves as a model that prompts reflection on the potential application of similar strategies in regions such as Ontario. The HDB Green Towns Program underscores the possibility of integrating sustainable living practices into public housing based on environmentally feasible standards. While Ontario possesses different geographic and demographic characteristics, the adaptability of Singapore's approach still suggests that conscientious urban planning, technological innovation, and a commitment to environmental sustainability can address housing needs without compromising the ecosystem. By drawing inspiration from Singapore's experience, policymakers and urban planners in Ontario can find viable solutions to developing housing solutions for a growing population while also contributing to a responsible future.
Arguing against housing development on the Greenbelt necessitates a focus on sustainable alternatives that protect both the environment and the long-term interests of Ontario. More importantly, preserving the Greenbelt is not solely about protecting biodiversity; it is about acknowledging the broader value green spaces hold for the environment and our communities. Sustainable urban planning, efficient land use, and affordable housing initiatives emerge as options that prioritize environmental conservation while addressing housing needs. Sustainable urban planning refrains from compromising natural habitats by emphasizing the creation of eco-friendly, well-connected communities. By steering away from sprawling developments and promoting mixed-use neighbourhoods, Ontario can meet housing demands without jeopardizing the ecological integrity of the Greenbelt.
While the pressing nature of housing demands is undeniable, it is imperative to acknowledge and scrutinize the potential implications on biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and the economic landscape. The Greenbelt is an ecological reservoir and plays a pivotal role in regulating climate and enhancing the overall environmental standard of the region. Equally critical are the economic impacts on housing prices and affordability. While immediate gains may be realized through the development of housing units, the long-term economic viability is not sustainable. The housing crisis should not serve as a rationale to overlook or dismiss the relationship between community wellbeing and our coexisting ecosystems. Rather, it calls for a nuanced approach that synthesizes the needs of the present with the needs of our environment and future.
References
Awuor, L. & Melles, S., Science Direct. (2019, July). The influence of environmental and health indicators on premature mortality: An empirical analysis of the City of Toronto's 140 neighborhoods.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829218313108.
Ontario. (2022, June 14). Housing needs in Ontario.
Ontario. (2022, November 7). Ontario’s Greenbelt.
Thompson, A., Greenpeace. (2020, May 22). Biodiversity and the Amazon Rainforest.
Villieneuve, P.J., Science Direct. (2012 May). A cohort study relating urban green space with mortality in Ontario, Canada.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935112000862.
Wegrowski, B., Ballard Brief. (2019). Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.
https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/deforestation-in-the-amazon-rainforest.
World Health Organization. (2015, June 3). Biodiversity and Health.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/biodiversity-and-health.