Making Neighbourhoods Even Better

Many residents value their neighbourhoods and may be hesitant to embrace change. BuildingIN understands these concerns and prioritizes investments that enhance existing communities with sensitive, compatible infill. Our approach ensures that multi-unit low-rise housing is in scale with the surrounding housing types, minimizing visual impacts and preserving the character of the neighbourhood. By focusing on thoughtful, harmonious growth, BuildingIN helps communities evolve in ways that are both respectful of their history and responsive to future needs.

BuildingIN makes infill development possible only in qualifying areas that share key characteristics: existing older neighbourhoods with the potential to become more walkable and support public transit, as well as areas with underused land that can be repurposed efficiently for new housing. These neighbourhoods are also ideal for investments that will enhance the community, such as new parks, tree-lined streets, and a diverse range of shops and public amenities—like libraries, schools, and community centers—that are accessible by foot.

When we introduce housing into these neighbourhoods, BuildingIN ensures that the change is a positive one. Our simulation tools demonstrate exactly how these developments will enhance housing supply, reduce emissions, ensure fiscal sustainability, and create complete, walkable communities that residents will love.

"People who live in monofunctional, car-dependent neighbourhoods outside of urban centers are are much less trusting of other people than people who live in walkable neighbourhoods where housing is mixed with shops, services, and places to work. They are also much less likely to know their neighbours."

–Charles Montgomery in Happy City

Parking

Parking Solutions

Intensification and parking are complicated companions Municipalities will require proactive parking strategies to stimulate infill development at scale, and in balance with landscaping and stormwater management. There are lots of older neighbourhoods that would benefit from BuildingIN with low-rise multi unit infill that provides housing for a diversity of households. But most of these neighbourhoods are car-dependent, without amenities and public transit. So developers depend on parking to make these projects viable, but there is just not enough space for infill housing and parked cars on our small neighbourhood properties.

A ‘Catch-22’! The tax uplift that comes with infill could change all that, funding investments in transit and infrastructure for biking and walking, allowing neighbourhoods to transition into walkable and complete communities, where some households would be happy to live without a car. But until the infill is constructed, these investments aren’t affordable and just don’t make sense.

So, in the mean time, we need neighbourhood parking. As we plan for neighbourhood parking it’s important to be smart, find solutions that are context appropriate, and keep hard surfaces to a minimum. This leaves space for trees, landscaping and stormwater management.

OPTION 1:
Street Permit Parking

In many neighbourhoods, street permit parking is the best solution to meet the parking needs of infill housing without adding more pavement.

Many neighbourhood streets are well suited to street parking on one side, allowing space for pedestrians on the other. In areas with lot widths of 40 feet or wider, there is typically enough street parking to support infill developments for 20 years of growth, see diagram below.

It’s important that existing residents use their existing on-site parking, so a permit systems is needed to ensure existing on-site paving is fully used.

To manage winter conditions, municipalities can consider several options: alternating parking sides, designating municipal lots for overnight parking and snow removal, and/or notifying residents about plowing schedules.

OPTION 2:
Neighbourhood Parking Lots

Small parking lots are present in neighbourhoods across Canada, often as longstanding legal non-conforming uses. New neighbourhood parking lots are generally prohibited.

20 parking spaces on a 33' wide lot

Permitting new parking lots creates opportunities for developers who own multiple properties within a neighbourhood. Some properties would be developed as multi-unit homes, close to a property used by residents for parking. Over time, these parking lots could be redeveloped into additional housing, transitioning away from parking use.

It’s important that neighbourhood parking lots are well-integrated into the community, so zoning regulations should require wood board fencing at side lot lines and tree planting front and back. Additionally, parking areas should be surfaced with gravel or permeable paving.

Neighbourhood parking lots are a good choice in neighbourhoods where properties and/or streets are too narrow for street permit parking.

OPTION 3:
Parkades

Mainstreet parkades provide neighbourhood parking in a location that naturally populates small shops and can bring vitality to struggling commercial streets. With retail space on the ground floor and parking on the upper levels, these buildings enrich the street and provide parking to support nearby housing. Regulations

allowing parkades open up these

opportunities for developers.

2-Storey parkade in Ottawa with ground floor commercial uses

Trees and Tree Canopy

Trees are key to our quality of life within neighbourhoods. Canadians want to live in vibrant, complete communities with tree-lined streets. Trees improve air quality, reduce rain water run-off, reduce heat island effect, and improve our health.

BuildingIN creates opportunities for cities to increase their investments in tree planting, especially where trees can shade walking paths. And overlay regulations make space for trees on infill development sites, rather than paving for parked cars.

Trees are crucial for a neighbourhood to transition into a walkable and complete community because they dramatically improve the pedestrian experience. Studies have shown that more shade trees align with increased pedestrian activities, and an increased likelihood of choosing a street for walking. Urban tree canopy cover plays another important role in improving the pedestrian experience by mitigating the urban heat island effect and increasing human thermal comfort. If we want people to walk, their walk to daily destinations must be pleasant. Tree planting, preservation and canopy growth management are important and necessary to compliment BuildigniN.

Growing the Tree Canopy

The Right Tree in the Right Place

Urban forestry management to compliment BuildingIN must focus on tree canopy growth, which is more valuable than any single tree. To that end, strategic planning and tree planting are very important, and tree preservation must be undertaken in balance with other considerations.

With BuildingIN, the right tree in the right place means much more than selecting and spacing tress for maximum growth. The goal is complete neighbourhoods that are great places to live, and that means increasing tree canopy over waling paths and around residential building while prioritizing redevelopment and neighbourhood upgrades. Choosing a tree to plant in a neighbourhood that is BuildingIN means choosing the best tree to support the social, ecological and operations goals of evolving neighbourhood.

Shading walking paths as temperatures rise

Shady and safe walking paths are critical to evolving neighbourhoods. Many older neighbourhoods don't have sidewalks, and BulidingIN is an opportunity for investments in waling infrastructure together with tree planting for shade. As short and long-term plans for sidewalks are established, they must be coordinated with tree planting strategies to ensure maximum tree canopy throughout each phase of the plans.

Overhead & underground obstructions

There are a lot of constraints in our older neighbourhoods. As we upgrade, we need to leave space for trees by locating new underground utilities under paving or paths, limit new hard surfaces, building new porches on piles rather than solid foundations. When we plant trees, we need to consider smaller tree varieties below overhead wires, maximize opportunities for large canopy trees, and sometimes plant trees knowing they will live only a few decades

Planting trees in a changing neighbourhood

A municipality that is BuildingIN can expect to see steady redevelopment as well as upgrades to infrastructure and parks, and lost of tree planting to grow the canopy. Redevelopment typically impacts 1% of lots each year, and often results in the loss of trees. So, the 99% of lots that are unaffected are very important for tree canopy growth. Residents much embrace a wave of tree planting on private and public property.

BuildingIN requires a holistic approach to neighbourhoods, including a re-think of our residential streets so that they include space for parking and walking. Some infill housing will have reduces front setbacks, which is a subtle change to the street, but can make a big difference when planning for trees. As we envision the evolution of our trees, tree planting must be central to the strategy. In the example above, street parking is permitted on only one side of tan existing street so that there is a safe waling space on the other side. Overhead wires limit tree canopy on one side of the street. Street parking is located under the wires, so that, on the other side of the street, large canopy trees can be planted to shade pedestrians.

"...humans are hardwired to find particular scenes of nature calming and restorative. ...Nature is note merely good for us. It brings out the good in us."

Neighbourhood Upgrades

At BuildingIN, we believe that upgrading neighbourhoods is more than just about adding new housing—it’s about enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents. Our approach to neighbourhood upgrades focuses on transforming existing communities into thriving, walkable places that offer a high quality of life for everyone.

Thoughtful, Compatible Infill Housing

Many residents cherish the character of their neighbourhoods and may be apprehensive about change. We understand and respect these concerns. That’s why BuildingIN focuses on bringing sensitive, compatible infill development to existing neighbourhoods. Our multi-unit low-rise housing is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding area, ensuring that the visual impact of new buildings is minimal while still meeting housing demand.

Building for Walkability & Sustainability

Neighbourhood upgrades with BuildingIN are all about making communities more connected, accessible, and sustainable. We target older neighbourhoods with the potential to become more walkable, with easy access to public transit, and underutilized land that can be transformed into new housing without compromising the area’s character. These upgrades include investments in tree-lined streets, parks, and public spaces—places that encourage social interaction, promote physical activity, and improve overall well-being.

Creating Complete, Vibrant Communities

Upgrades also extend beyond just housing. We focus on ensuring that new developments are part of a broader vision for complete, vibrant communities. This includes the creation of public amenities such as libraries, schools, and community centers, as well as a variety of nearby shops and services that are easily accessible by foot. By enhancing the infrastructure and amenities of neighbourhoods, we help ensure that they remain places people love to live in.

Simulating the Impact of Change

BuildingIN’s unique simulation technology allows municipalities and developers to see how these upgrades will work in practice. Through detailed modeling, we simulate the impact of infill development on housing supply, fiscal sustainability, emissions reductions, and community vitality. Our simulations empower decision-makers to plan with confidence, knowing that the changes they implement will lead to positive outcomes for both the environment and the community.

Why Choose BuildingIN for Your Neighbourhood Upgrades?

Compatible Infill Housing: We design multi-unit low-rise buildings that fit seamlessly with the existing character of neighbourhoods.
Walkability & Sustainability: We focus on creating neighbourhoods that are walkable, transit-friendly, and sustainable, reducing emissions and promoting active living.
Complete Communities: We ensure that upgrades support a full range of amenities, including green spaces, shops, and public services.
Data-Driven Planning: Our simulations provide concrete, evidence-based insights to guide decisions and measure the impact of neighbourhood upgrades.

BuildingIN is committed to transforming neighbourhoods into places where people not only live but thrive. By combining thoughtful design with strategic investments, we help municipalities create communities that are sustainable, livable, and future-ready.