Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of London is launching an extensive consultation and planning process to shape the future of its downtown core, with a focus on residential, commercial and employment growth, infrastructure investment and economic revitalization.
The new Downtown Master Plan, now in development, will serve as a strategic framework to guide construction, development, and planning activities for years to come. Construction industry professionals, developers, and business stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the process, as it will influence zoning, infrastructure priorities, and growth incentives in the city’s rapidly evolving core.
The plan is being developed in response to a resolution passed by City Council in November 2023, directing staff to create an updated strategy that reflects current challenges and conditions downtown. Currently, the area is home to more than 10,000 residents and over 1,400 businesses, along with a growing number of events and cultural activities.
The initiative will be delivered in two phases:
Phase 1 includes the Downtown Master Plan Background Study and Quick Start Actions. This foundational stage involves reviewing existing policies and gathering updated data on land use, demographics, business activity, and infrastructure. Quick-start actions — such as early enhancements to public spaces or pilot development incentives — will be proposed to Council based on input from the public, the Downtown London Business Improvement Area (BIA), and other stakeholders.
Phase 2 will involve the creation of the full Downtown Master Plan, identifying specific actions across residential, commercial, employment, and cultural priorities. It will include an implementation and financial strategy with measurable objectives and associated costs.
Key focus areas for the plan include:
- Downtown as a Place to Call Home: Setting residential growth targets, exploring housing mix and intensification opportunities, and identifying infrastructure needs to support population increases.
- Downtown as a Place to Work and Grow a Business: Developing strategies to attract and retain employers, reduce office vacancies, and strengthen sectors such as retail, dining, and services.
- Downtown as a Vibrant Destination: Enhancing the area’s appeal to visitors and locals through placemaking, marketing, and tourism-related infrastructure.
The plan will align with the city’s official plan and 2023–2027 Strategic Plan. It will also consider how adjacent areas — such as rapid transit corridors, near-neighbourhoods, and main streets — can support and benefit from a stronger downtown.
Construction and development stakeholders can now provide input via a new online survey available on the City’s project webpage. Additional engagement opportunities will take place through pop-ups and events throughout the city.
Once Phase 1 concludes, a report will be presented to Council outlining short-term recommendations and setting the stage for the development of the full Master Plan.
The City says the final plan will deliver a clear path for residential and commercial development, infrastructure investment, and policy decisions — with implications for the construction sector, economic growth, and community vitality in the downtown for decades to come.