The City of Yellowknife has announced a new 'Intensification First' strategy aimed at increasing housing opportunities.
In an April 4 news release, the municipality described the strategy as a "forward-thinking approach to urban development, aimed at creating more housing opportunities, increasing commercial space and fostering vibrant, active neighbourhoods for generations to come."
Intensification is a planning strategy that adds more housing and business developments to underused land, the city explained. Its goal is to make better use of existing roads, utilities and services for the city to grow.
In Yellowknife, only one per cent of land is available for new development, however. Nevertheless, the municipality listed some examples of how it can expand housing choices.
A single-family home in the downtown area, for example, can be renovated into a duplex or triplex to increase housing density, according to the city. Vacant lots zoned for single-detached homes can also be developed into four-plexes, six-plexes or small apartment buildings.
The city added that low-rise commercial buildings can be redeveloped to include residential units on upper floors. Secondary suites or laneway housing can be added in residential neighbourhoods without changing the overall character.
The city also gave an example of converting underused buildings SA国际影视传媒� like empty offices or warehouses SA国际影视传媒� into homes or mixed-use spaces.
To make its strategy a reality, the municipal government said it is implementing a number of initiatives, like having what it calls residential intensification zones, to boost development.
The city added that it will provide development grants as financial incentives for affordable housing projects, mixed-use developments and home improvements. The municipality also stated it has a comprehensive intensification policy that provides a framework to expand housing options and commercial space.
According to senior communications advisor Saxon Chung, the city is planning a press event for the Intensification First strategy soon. He did not specify a date, however.
