Concept by ABA Architects, renderings by Office In Search Of in collaboration with mcCallum Sather and ABA ArchitectsHabitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, in collaboration with local developers and a wide-range of community partners, has launched BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, a community-led partnership with the aim to deliver affordable housing to the Region of Waterloo.According to arelease, the initiative committed to building 10,000 units of missing middle housing back in 2023.On December 2, 2024, City of Waterloo Council voted unanimously to identify Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region through their BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region initiative as the preferred proponent to develop 25-acres of vacant land at 2025 University Avenue East, at the corner of University Ave East and Millennium Boulevard, to build 1,000 homes.Selecting a potential partner for this landmark City project is an exciting and momentous step forward, said Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. A year ago, we received our federal Housing Accelerator Fund grant, and six months ago, we identified this property as a suitable location. Were thrilled to be at the point of negotiating with a potential development group to bring the site to life. ABA prepared the concept plan envisioning a complete community located within a public realm and natural setting.Concept by ABA Architects, renderings by Office In Search Of in collaboration with mcCallum Sather and ABA ArchitectsThe proposal offers various community-amenity spaces to support the evolving needs of future residents and surrounding neighbours. The site aims to embrace its natural setting to encourage connection with the environment. These interior and exterior spaces are being positioned to promote neighbourhood participation, social cohesion, and community well-being.The proposed site organization is defined by a central main street, which is bound by two new site accesses with connections to surrounding cycling lanes and multi-use trails. Undulating tertiary streets define micro-communities within the larger neighbourhood. The free-flowing nature of the streets provides traffic calming and changing views for pedestrians and cyclists. Active transportation and pedestrian movement is encouraged through a network of interconnected streets, plazas, and green spaces, along with the addition of a central transit stop.Concept by ABA Architects, renderings by Office In Search Of in collaboration with mcCallum Sather and ABA ArchitectsThe proposal also acknowledges the hydro easement and setbacks from the hydro tower without letting its linear boundary define the sites organization.Recognizing the ecological importance of the wetland on the property, the design also considers the areas environmental context and setback guidelines to ensure that future development will respect the surrounding ecosystem.Proposed streets and buildings are oriented to create streetscapes and comfortable pedestrian microclimates and mitigate shadows, as well as to ensure street elevations around the sites perimeter. Parking is also provided behind active frontages in shared surface lots and transit hubs.Buildings will be designed with a diverse mix of typologies, from three storey stacked towns to nine storey midrise buildings providing studio, one, two, three, and four-bedroom family-friendly units.The concept plan aims to celebrate the contribution of affordable and attainable housing within a diverse, thriving, and inclusive community.The first phase of the development aims to secure permits for 50 affordable housing units by the end of 2025.The post Waterloo Region to develop vacant land to build 1,000 affordable homes appeared first on Canadian Architect.