Learning from Perth // site studies

In September of 2024, Professor Bonier’s 3rd-year  urbanism students visited Perth Ontario to study the historic golf course west of the town centre. This planned subdivision site is bounded by the Tay River, Grant’s Creek, and significant forest and wetlands that provide habitat for several protected species. ARCS 3304 Urbanism on the Periphery is an undergraduate research and design studio that is addressing the shift of urban populations to Canadian towns and villages, with an emphasis on designing equitable, ecologically-sensitive urban landscapes. Students are working on guidelines for a ‘complete community’ development that will protect wetland ecologies and respect the existing fabric of Perth — at the same time planning towards the future. The development of this site will have long-term impacts, as it is currently slated to bring up to 2,500 new residents to a town with a population of  around 7,000.

The golf course site is now owned by a private developer and will be reviewed by the Ontario Land Tribunal for design approval in accord with the Perth’s official plan and other guiding documents. https://engage.perth.ca/caivan