It's one thing for a neighbourhood to be in transition, quite another for an entire city. But that's precisely what's happening in
Brampton, where a concerted effort to bring the municipality into the future now, is yielding visible results.In a city of about 600,000 – the third largest in the GTA and the ninth largest in Canada – Brampton has been booming for years. Consider, for example that current population is almost double what it was not even 20 years ago.What's attracting newcomers to Brampton in such numbers? In short – economic growth. Indeed, with major companies such as Loblaw Companies Ltd., Canadian Tire Corp., Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Ltd. and Rogers Communications Inc. having headquarters in the city, employment opportunities have been plentiful. Brampton's economy in recent years has diversified to include sectors such as communications technologies, life sciences and business services.
Cybersecure catalyst
And even more recently, education. Just last month, for example, the City confirmed a collaboration with Ryerson University, outlining the required funding and resources needed for establishing the Ryerson University-led Innovation Hub and Cybersecure Catalyst in downtown Brampton. This includes the Chang School of Continuing Education expanding its cybersecurity courses; launching the Brampton Incubation/Innovation Hub; and the Cybersecure Catalyst, a new national centre for innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity."This is a very exciting move forward for Brampton, moving important projects with Ryerson University closer to reality," says Mayor Patrick Brown. "These projects will help spur economic growth, create jobs and position Brampton as a hub for cybersecurity."Managing such growth requires planning, including the City's Vision 2040, a long-term vision to reinvent Brampton. The plan includes such key transformations as including model new neighbourhoods; an improved transit network, new core loop, walking and cycling networks; better designed communities, handsome buildings; and sustainability built into everything.
Budgeting growth
Brampton's 2019-21 budget proposal includes initiatives to that end, including increasing Brampton Transit's fleet by 16 per cent over three years, adding 46 conventional buses and 25 Zum buses; creating a new Marketing and Foreign Direct Investment Program; and a Community Improvement Program to incentivize the economic sectors identified in Brampton's Economic Development Master Plan.It's not all about business in Brampton, however. Proximity to nature also helps deliver quality of life in the city. Gage Park, Brampton's oldest municipal park, opened in 1903; Heart Lake Conservation Area, occupying 169 hectares in the Etobicoke Creek watershed; and Chinguacousy Park, a 40-hectare park in the Bramalea section of town.
Location, location, location
• Population 593,638• 42 kms from Toronto, 20 kms to Mississauga
Key landmarks
• Gage Park• Heart Lake Conservation Area• Chinguacousy Park• Bramalea City Centre• Shoppers World
Select upcoming housing developments
•
Beechwood by
Paradise Developments; detached, semis and townhomes.• FirstHome Sunny Meadow by
The Daniels Corporation; townhomes.•
Mayfield Village by
Regal Crest Homes; singles, semis and townhomes.•
Mount Pleasant North by
Mattamy Homes; townhomes.•
Union Mount Pleasant by
Mattamy Homes; boutique midrise condominiums.•
Upper Valleylands by
Fieldgate Homes; townhomes and semis.•
Vales of the Humber Estates by
Regal Crest Homes, single-detached homes.• Westfield by
Royalpark Homes; detached and semis.