FAQs
- provide emergency access and safe rail crossings along the waterfront
- enhance active transportation connectivity along the waterfront
- enhance connectivity between the waterfront and Downtown Dartmouth
- create enjoyable, pedestrian-focused gathering spaces
- improve waterfront amenities
- improve landscaped areas that offer access to nature
- identify, preserve and celebrate cultural landscapes
- promote accessibility and inclusion along the waterfront
- mitigate the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise
What is the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project?
The Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project is a planning and public consultation process that will result in a Conceptual Development Plan for the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront. In February, Fathom Studio, O2 Planning and Design, CBCL Limited, and Cultural Resource Management Group were hired to undertake the project.
What is a Conceptual Development Plan?
A conceptual development plan is an early-stage, high-level plan that outlines a project’s vision, goals, scope, strategies, and key interventions. It serves as a high-level guide to align key interest groups, estimate resources, set timelines, and anticipate risks before detailed planning and design begins.
Where is the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project study area?
The study area spans from approximately the Macdonald Bridge (west) to the Woodside Ferry Terminal (east). The overall process will refine the project’s geographical scope.
How large is the study area?
The waterfront study area is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and 150 hectares in size.
What are the objectives of the project?
The objectives of the project are to:
How long will the project take?
The project is expected to take approximately 18 months, running from February 2025 until October 2026.
Will this project consider harbour infilling?
Separate from the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project, on August 6, 2024, Regional Council initiated a process to consider amendments to applicable planning documents to restrict water lot development and infilling in Dartmouth Cove. This separate Municipal project is underway and is being considered under the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-law (LUB) amendment process. For more information about this project, please visit the project website: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/plproj-2024-01075-dartmouth-cove-dartmouth.
More broadly, the DDWR project may consider strategic infilling across the study area, as required, to support plan objectives including improving safety and emergency access options; enhancing active transportation connectivity to and along the waterfront; creating accessible, enjoyable, and pedestrian-focused spaces; improving waterfront amenities; identifying, preserving, and celebrating cultural landscapes; promoting accessibility and inclusion; and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
What will happen when the project is complete?
When the project is complete, we will have a conceptual development plan and recommendations to help guide future planning, design, and implementation of park and public space features, mobility connections, a multi-functional emergency access route to support the waterfront, and development. Based on that work, municipal staff will bring the project to the Community Planning and Economic Development Committee for recommendation to Regional Council for endorsement. At that time, Council will decide if a more detailed planning and design and capital improvements will go ahead.
How can the public participate in the project?
Feedback and input from residents and local interest groups is critical to the success of this project. There will be opportunities in each phase of this project to get involved and share your ideas including surveys, community events and more. Stay tuned to the latest project updates box at the top of the project webpage for information about upcoming opportunities. You can also subscribe to our project on the project website to keep informed about ongoing project updates. Your feedback is welcome at any time throughout this process by contacting the planner who’s listening at the top of the webpage.