Re: Visions for Northdale's future are no answer for residents' real concerns — Feb. 19
As an urban planning student at the University of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo’s current vision for the Northdale neighbourhood seems extremely shortsighted. It states that the neighborhood must remain as low-rise and low-density residential area, while intensification must happen only in nodes and transit corridors.
In my opinion, both Columbia Street and University Avenue are extremely busy transit corridors that support mixed uses — but instead all we see now are four-storey student housing buildings and no mixed-use buildings that could provide services to the area. I also think the entire Northdale neighbourhood could support a more diverse and dense urban form, especially considering the extremely high demand for housing from students and young professionals.
The current situation in Northdale is simply terrible, as the quality of life for both students and long-term residents is only getting worse with crime, vandalism and many other negative situations. The current urban form of the neighbourhood simply does not support its inhabitants; it needs to be redeveloped.
Intensification in Northdale can only be positive for everyone: families, students, professionals, developers, the city, institutions and the environment. I really hope that the City of Waterloo has the vision to encourage a more livable neighborhood for everyone.
Diego Almaraz
Waterloo
