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HRMbyDesign has been passed by HRM Council. Thanks to all for showing your support and ensuring the future growth and development of downtown Halifax.
The common ground between two extremes
We need a real plan for HRM’s downtown:
A plan to drive sensible economic growth and investment while preserving our heritage
A plan that builds on our common ground
The Greater Halifax Partnership believes HRMbyDesign is that plan.
With a plan, anything is possible.
Background
Is there really no common ground from which to build our city’s future? In fact, there is a way forward. But it has been lost in the public dogfight which has become distractingly polarized, political and even litigious.
The fundamental issue at hand is how do we protect and incorporate the cherished heritage architecture we’ve inherited while ensuring we develop the sort of buildings needed in a modern city that is looking to the future.
Smart Growth
The Greater Halifax Partnership is charged with driving economic growth for our city. And there is little doubt that economic growth and our future tax base is what is at stake in the current debate. At the Partnership we know the people of Greater Halifax want our city to grow. A recent survey of the views of HRM Citizens found 72 per cent of those polled think growth is good and that a majority of us believe commercial and residential development should be happening NOW in downtown Halifax.
While we stand still and argue, many well-loved heritage buildings that need protection are gradually becoming unusable ruins and risk being torn down altogether, while development and growth are stalled. Often no one wins. We have had too many lose-lose situations. But this does not have to be a zero sum game. There is a solution. There is a win-win. It’s called HRMbyDesign. And the sooner we get it on the books and working, the sooner we move away from the economically suicidal condition of doing nothing.
Design for the future
HRMbyDesign will provide developers with a transparent and predictable approval process – which provides us with what we need – new capacity for growth. It will also ensure only quality, architecturally sensitive developments and public spaces are approved in our downtown. At the same time, HRMbyDesign will give those concerned about protecting our existing buildings a process protecting our heritage.
Is it perfect? Of course not. No process is. But it is a way to move ahead – a way that that addresses everyone’s concerns. But to get HRMbyDesign it needs to be passed by HRM Council.
Once that it is in place, then HRM Council needs to make the investment envisioned by HRMbyDesign.
Together we can make Greater Halifax the most modern and historic city in Canada.
Learn more about HRMbyDesign and the Partnership's role in the initiative.
Useful Links
Presentations to the Provincial Law Amendments Commitee
November 18, 2008
- HRM Charter - Bill 179, Fred Morley, Executive Vice President and Chief Economist, Greater Halifax Partnership
- HRMbyDesign - Bill 181, Fred Morley, Executive Vice President and Chief Economist, Greater Halifax Partnership
Partnership’s Submission to the Provincial Law Amendments Committee
HRM Regional Plan
Strategies for Success, Halifax Regional Muncipality's Economic Development Strategy (1.2 MB)
Challenging Myths Around Attitudes Towards Growth and Development (82 KB)