Explore Mississauga like a city planner on World Urbanism Day

Have you ever wondered why some streets are bustling with activity while others are quiet and peaceful? Or how it’s decided where parks and public art are located? The answer is urban planning.

World Urbanism Day is on November 8, and residents are invited to discover their inner city planner and learn more about the work that goes into building a city like Mississauga.

Urban planning is about more than what gets built and where, it’s about creating places that are functional, attractive and connected. Professional planners think about how people move around a city; the connections between roads, walkways and green spaces and how neighbourhoods evolve over time as the city grows. Behind every street, waterfront trail and local park are thousands of planning decisions that have helped shape the city.

Whether you’re curious about developments in your neighbourhood or wondering how planning decisions are made, the City has many different ways to help you start thinking like a planner and explore how cities take shape.

See planning in action

The Mississauga Civic Centre is open to the public and home to the Downtown Model, a miniature replica of our city’s downtown core. It shows how planners might visualize the ways that landmarks, buildings, streets and parks connect with one another. Explore the model and see if you can spot Kariya Park, Square One and other major landmarks.

Then on November 19, you can join us for an urban design open house. Meet city planning staff and learn about the City’s ongoing urban design program review, which influences the look and feel of our community. Browse the displays to learn about the program and how it’s changing, ask questions and share your ideas to help shape for the program.

Think like a city planner

Now that you’ve seen planning in action, it’s time to dive into the data. Planners ask questions and rely on accurate, up-to-date information to inform the way they plan cities and communities. Mississauga was one of the first municipalities to make that data publicly accessible, and we continue to make it readily available for everyone. This includes:

• The City Planning Data Hub gives you access to the data our planners use to help guide our city’s growth. It’s your one-stop shop to find out how the city is growing, the types of businesses in your neighbourhood, and countless more answers. You can also look at historical trends to see how we’ve changed over time or even explore a virtual 3D model of Mississauga.
• Noticed a new development in your area? The active development applications portal lets you see what developments are happening across the city – in real-time. Explore the map, see detailed renderings of proposed projects, review application details and find out about upcoming public meetings to learn more.

Get involved in the planning process

Planning isn’t just about maps and data; it’s about understanding the needs of our residents and their communities. Here’s how you can get involved:

• The Planning and Development Committee (PDC) is where development applications and other planning matters are discussed before coming to Council. These meetings are broadcast live on the City’s website to help residents see what’s being planned across the city. There are also opportunities to participate by submitting comments or registering to speak about matters most to your community.
• The City’s Your Say platform shares opportunities to engage with a range of city programs and policies. Browse upcoming and completed engagements, sign up for updates, and find out what’s happening across Mississauga.

Learn the basics: Planning 101

Planning affects every aspect of how we experience life in the city. It can be complicated, but every city planner started somewhere and we’re here to help make it easier to dive in:

• The City’s Guide to City Planning and Development can help you understand the basics of how planning works in Mississauga and how we plan for the future, from long-term plans and guidelines to individual development applications. Whether you’re new to urban planning or looking to expand your understanding, this beginner-friendly guide is a useful place to start.

About World Urbanism Day

Celebrated annually on November 8, World Urbanism Day, also known as World Town Planning Day, recognizes the role of urban planning in creating healthy, functional and sustainable communities. Observed in more than 30 countries around the world, this is an opportunity to learn more about the decisions, and planners, that shape the places we live.

Tags

• Housing
• Planning and Building