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A Toronto Coal Plant Will Soon Become a Sustainable City

This sustainable neighborhood near Toronto will hopefully start an amazing new trend of eco-friendly cities.

Written by
Asha Swann
Published

While some areas aim to make coal power plants greener, the provincial government in Ontario, Canada, is going above and beyond by turning one into a sustainable city called Lakeview Village.

The Lakeview Generating Station, a huge power plant outside of Toronto, was shut down in 2005 with original plans to replace it with a gas power plant. However, after public outcry from local residents, the area will be turned into a lush sustainable suburb. Here's everything you need to know.

Turning a Coal Plant Into a Sustainable City

The coal plant was one of the largest in the world and, by no surprise, a major polluter across Southern Canada. When burned, coal ash drifts from the air into our water streams, harming natural ecosystems and habitats. Coal also releases large quantities of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. This leaves the air full of smog and carbon dioxide—one of the main causes of climate change.

Needless to say, we understand why many cities are trying to make green changes to coal power plants. The Ontario provincial government is taking eco-consciousness and eco-living to the next level, offering residents a cleaner place to live.

Meet Lakeview Village

The new and improved area will be called Lakeview Village and will feature gorgeous lakefront scenery. The town is also expected to have 8,000 homes for about 20,000 people.

Developers are even aiming to turn Lakeview Village into a 15-minute city, meaning all the city's resources will be within a 15-minute walk. Walking-friendly cities are usually more eco-friendly because they're less reliant on cars, so there's less traffic pollution. European cities like Paris are currently working to implement these 15-minute strategies in further developments.

The entire sustainable city will be around 177 acres. The green space will take up 45 acres and will provide access to 450+ acres of nearby parkland. There's also a 64-acre conservation area that will be devoted to coastal wetlands, trails, and naturalized areas. And the best part: Developers are planning to revitalize the nearby lake, giving fish and other wildlife their habitat back!

Though the city isn't fully developed yet, Lakeview Village will be a big sustainability win for Toronto-area residents. Previously, residents were cut off from waterfront access and faced smog pollution. This new and improved city will put the planet and the people first.

Hopefully, Lakeview Village starts a trend for other areas to prioritize eco-friendly lifestyles. Sustainable cities prevent emissions from entering the atmosphere. If more cities turn into 15-minute cities, we'd see a major difference in air pollution. However, the transformation can be a timely process.

Developers hope to move the first Lakeview Village residents into the area by 2026. In the meantime, it's important to recognize the residents who demanded a cleaner city made this possible. We love to see it!