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Originally Posted by someone123
Another aspect of this area is that actual density is quite low at the larger scale because there's so much empty land. It is funny how this development goes back to the 70's and 80's but it's next to what is maybe 0.5 square km or so of undeveloped land then there's more new construction beyond that.
I searched a bit for future development plans and this came up. Regency Park extension to Washmill:
https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default...esentation.pdf
The worst planning is perhaps the public stuff around Halifax West, the library, Canada Games place, bus terminal, etc. Lots of stuff there but they don't connect well from a pedestrian perspective and there are a lot of vague empty spaces. In principle, some of the spaces could be filled in with new buildings.
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The area bound by Lacewood/Regency Park/Dunbrack is really service heavy but like you said, really car dependant. Putting it in terms of the peninsula, an equivalent area would stretch from Robie to Hollis, between Sackville and South.
Odd shaped lots, big setbacks on lots and surface parking take up further space and reinforce the feeling of distance between places, on top of the lack of connection between the streets that do exist.
For example: to get from the Greenpark Close buildings to the theatre - which is right across the highway - it's a 7 minute drive over to Lacewood and up Chain Lake Drive. There's a trail through the woods, but unless you're looking to cut corners and scale your way down a rocky hill, it's a 25-minute walk to go 350m.
Speaking of missed connections, the Halifax Mainland Linear Parkway not liking up to the COLT/BLT is one of them. I had no idea the trail existed until noticing it on Google Maps. Connecting these trails would really open up the ability for residents to commute to the peninsula, or just enjoy the trail without having to drive to a trailhead.