As the city is projected to grow leaps and bounds, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said the intensified focus on development in the four town centres is set to match it.
Corrigan delivered his annual inaugural speech at the Dec. 2 council meeting, which is meant to wrap up the city's achievements, plans and initiatives in 2013.
"The community development committee has ensured that Burnaby's Official Community Plan complements the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, positioning our city to meet the expected levels of population growth to 2041," he said.
According to the 2011 strategy, Burnaby’s 2006 population was 210,500 and it is expected to grow to 277,000 in 2021 and to 355,000 by 2041.
"Our four town centres - Brentwood, Edmonds, Lougheed and Metrotown - will continue to accommodate a significant portion of the city's population and job growth, providing major community amenities in each quadrant," he added.
Corrigan noted the city has had steady growth since the 1980s - maintaining an annual growth rate of about two per cent.
"In terms of housing, the city had 52,601 dwelling units in 1981, (then) 86,839 as of 2011 and expects 117,000 dwelling units by 2021," he said. "Fortunately, there is considerable remaining capacity in our town centre, urban village and other multi-family areas to provide for our future housing needs."
In all, the estimated construction value for 2013 to date is about $600 million, compared to $318 million in 2012, according to the mayor.
Corrigan called the development happening at Metrotown and Brentwood "innovative," and said it is positioning Burnaby as a regional leader in "creating sustainable transit-oriented development."
He referenced Lougheed Town Centre as a future site of much change with the construction of the Evergreen line.
"This year, we've begun to discuss the proposed redevelopment of the mall site," he added. "Public consultation on the future of the area will begin in the spring."
The proposed Kingsway and Edmonds project, which proposes construction of a mixed-use community, including three highrise residential towers and a smaller building with offices above two storeys of commercial space, is also expected to go through public consultation in early 2014.
Another big proposal for Edmonds is in the Southgate neighbourhood, on the 48 acres that was the former Safeway Distribution Centre.
In his address, he said other city successes included the proposed tougher amendments to the tree bylaw, the 10 per cent drop in crime in Burnaby in 2012, the environmental strategies and more.
"With the involvement and participation of Burnaby citizens, including the many that serve on the city's committees, boards and commissions, the city is again well positioned to build on our plans and achievements, keeping Burnaby a city that models social, environmental and economic sustainability, and is nationally recognized as a great - and, I would argue, the best - place to live, work, learn and play," he said.
To read the full speech, visit www.burnaby.ca.
