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A Better Way

Accession number: 
1980.0046
Production Years: 
1960 to 1980

Languages:

Length (minutes): 
12
Holding Institutions: 

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario: 16mm.
"In today's energy conscious society, we are becoming aware that the world's resources are not inexhaustible. We are also beginning to recognize the importance of Ontario's major non-renewable resource—land. Although Ontario covers almost 400,000 square miles, and is populated by a scant eight million, the efficient use of land is still extremely important. Housing will always be necessary, but we can no longer afford the luxury of building on half acre lots. Several Ontario cities have developed new systems for efficient land use. Kitchener, with its Special Development Program, created neighborhoods with narrow roads, smaller lots, and fewer sidewalks. These innovations brought down the cost of the single family homes. Brampton is another area which uses its land efficiently. Several subdivisions, such as the Villages of Central Park, use the new concept of zero lotline, which eliminates side yards and allows for flexibility in location of houses. This concept provides space for more houses on the land, and decreases the costs. The Ontario Ministry of Housing has gathered a team of consultants to study the effects of altered standards on housing. They are undertaking a cost/design comparison, to measure the effects of changing lot sizes, engineering standards and road widths. If they can come up with more efficient site planning standards, cities will be able to lower housing costs and conserve land."

Windsor University, Windsor, Ontario: 16mm.