Urban Design

Urban design is the combination of architecture, landscape, and land use planning to design and build communities that are more liveable, vibrant, and sustainable

Urban design generally deals with the space around, between and within buildings that are publicly accessible. Urban design is more than just making places look aesthetically pleasing, it is about creating places and spaces that are functional and work for people of all ages and abilities.

Urban design draws together many different professional expertise to create processes that are mindful of the environmental, economic, social, and cultural aspects of planning and design.

The Benefits of Good Urban Design: 

• Creates communities that are unique, attractive, livable, sustainable and respectful of their surrounding landscapes

• Envisions well-designed urban spaces that improves physical and mental well-being and social connectedness

• Establishes policies and guidelines for safe, complete and walkable communities, and instil a sense of pride and belonging among residents.

• Develops vision for places to attract new businesses and revitalize existing ones

• Improves access to employment, services, and community amenities

• Creates frameworks and processes that facilitates the development of existing and new communities

Caledon is made up of many communities that have character and heritage unique to their landscapes. Urban Design acknowledges the unique identities of these village and hamlets and ties them together through our ‘Made in Caledon’ approach to ensure that new growth in new communities have a coherent and visually attractive design that fits within Caledon as a whole.

Urban Design Requirement

In order to maintain a high quality of architectural design, streetscape and landscaping in the Town of Caledon, all new developments are to review, reference and meet the requirements of the Town-Wide Design Guidelines. This is achieved through the development application process.

Town-Wide Design Guidelines

The Town's design guidelines provide sustainable and creative recommendations in both rural and urban Caledon that protect and enhance the natural environment. Design guidelines achieve this by accommodating future development and trends in architectural design and site plan development. Refer to the Town-Wide Design Guidelines and the following appendices before you submit a development application:

• Design Guidelines for South Bolton Industrial Park
• Drive-Thru Service Facility Guidelines
• Protocol for Establishing Telecommunications Facilities
• Urban Design Terms of Reference

Architectural Control Compliance Review Process and the Role of the Control Architect

All ground related residential plans of subdivisions are subject to an Architectural Control Compliance Review Process in the Town of Caledon.

Architectural Control Compliance Review Process

The Architectural Control Compliance Review Process is administered by a Control Architect and monitored by Town staff. This process is intended to ensure high quality of development, minimize conflict and issues, and ensure accountability. An Architectural Control Compliance Fee of $50/unit is applicable prior to registration as per By-Law 2025-054.

Role of the Control Architect

The Design Review and approval process for all ground related residential developments will be performed by the Control Architect (CA) selected from the Town's list of approved Control Architects. Contact Town Urban Design staff for the updated list.

A Control Architect will review the Builder's submissions in a fair and timely manner and confirm that they are in compliance with the approved Town-wide Design Guidelines (TWDG) and area specific guidelines and ensure design compliance through to the construction stage. The CA acts as a liaison between the developers and the Town and ensures that the developers are meeting the public and the Town’s expectation.

Caledon is facing rapid growth. The CA will ensure that quality is valued, and new developments have a distinct character and image in the Town.

For further information regarding the Architectural Control Compliance Review Process, please click here.

Design guidelines by Community

Although the Town-wide Design Guidelines are applicable for all of Caledon, there are some area-specific design guidelines that take precedence. These area specific design guidelines provide additional information based on researched Community Design Plans and Architectural Design Guidelines. Review the guidelines in each community.