Finally, Some Livable Region Plan Details

Metro Vancouver continues its work on a new Livable Region Strategic Plan. Today's Surrey Leader has some interesting details. Central City in Surrey will be listed as the region's second downtown, but of more significant interest to Langley:

The other regional town centres in Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Langley City remain the same and will now be known as regional city centres.

But the 12 smaller designated municipal town centres – which include areas like Ladner, Port Moody, Guildford, White Rock and Aldergrove – are slated to grow to 16, with additions recognizing Surrey's Cloverdale area, Lynn Valley in North Vancouver, South Vancouver near 49th and Main, and northwest Langley Township near the 200 Street corridor.

The urban centres are to be the focus for jobs, services and high-density housing.

But in addition to those areas, the plan calls for heavy growth in Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam and Langley Township.

That's where most of the region's "priority development areas" are to be designated, mostly along corridors planned for frequent transit.

Gone is the old concept of "growth concentration areas" that the former Livable Region Strategic Plan set to focus high-density growth.

Much of the changes are being driven by the province's recently unveiled vision for transit expansion. Metro's new plan will assume ramped up transit in traditionally underserved eastern areas of Metro Vancouver.