Community Design
The way we design public spaces shapes how people gather, move, and feel at home. This topic explores how Ontario communities are rethinking streetscapes, town centres, and shared landscapes to build places that work for everyone.
Articles
Designing Better Public Spaces in Small Ontario Towns
How small municipalities are reimagining their main streets and gathering places.
Public Landscapes That Make Communities Better
The features and design choices that turn public land into beloved community spaces.
Related Guides
Running a Public Space Engagement Session
How to gather meaningful community input on park and streetscape projects.
Main Street Greening on a Budget
Affordable landscaping strategies for small-town downtowns.
Related Case Studies
Cobourg's Waterfront Revitalization
A small town that turned its waterfront into a regional destination through thoughtful design.
Guelph's Downtown Green Renewal
How Guelph integrated green infrastructure into its downtown revitalization plan.
Designing for People and Nature
Good community design does not require large budgets or grand gestures. Often, the most impactful changes are simple: widening a sidewalk, adding a row of trees, creating a seating area near a garden, or turning a vacant lot into a neighbourhood gathering spot. Across Ontario, municipalities of all sizes are discovering that investing in public spaces pays off in foot traffic, property values, and community pride.
This section collects articles, guides, and case studies about designing public landscapes that bring people together and make communities healthier, more attractive places to live.