Urban design is the art of shaping the interaction between people and the places through the arrangement, appearance and function of communities. It is about how buildings and the public realm come together to make high-quality spaces. The Town is committed to high-quality built form, and neighbourhood character is promoted and upheld. The Town has urban design policies, guidelines and standards in the following documents:

• Queenston Secondary Plan
• St Davids Urban Design Guidelines
• Landscape Guidelines & Standards

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Urban design is a major component in the review of development applications, which are conducted in two ways:

1. Internal Urban Design Review: All development applications are reviewed and commented on in accordance with the above-mentioned urban design policies, guidelines and standards. Committee of Adjustment applications are typically subject to this review.

2. Urban Design Review Panel: The Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) is a voluntary technical review panel established as an advisory body to Staff to provide objective, professional urban design advice on development applications and municipal projects outlined within this mandate. Through an URDP, the Town’s aim is to promote design excellence and ensure that new developments contribute positively to the built environment. 

   The primary purpose of the UDRP is to provide staff with a range of expertise and best practices to improve the quality of urban design and architecture within the municipality, ensuring that projects fit within the Town’s unique contexts. The UDRP achieves this by offering independent advice and making recommendations to Staff on the design and potential physical and aesthetic impact of proposed buildings, structures, landscapes, streetscapes, parks, and infrastructure projects to guide the refinement of development proposals and public realm projects. The UDRP is strictly an advisory body to Staff. It does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects, or make policy decisions on land use.

   The UDRP is comprised of six (6) members with a diverse range of demonstrated design expertise, including the following:

   • Two (2) Architects/Urban Designers
   • One (1) Landscape Architect
   • Three (3) individuals with the following expertise related to urban design: Planner, Heritage Planning Professional, Engineering, Environmental design, Green technologies

   The Urban Design Review Panel’s conduct and procedure are directed by its Terms of Reference.