Intensification First

The City of Yellowknife’s ‘Intensification First’ strategy is a forward-thinking approach to urban development, aimed at creating more housing opportunities, increasing commercial space, and fostering vibrant, active neighborhoods for generations to come.

Smarter Growth, Stronger Communities

Intensification is a planning strategy that uses vacant and underutilized lands through a combination of using, adding or improving existing infrastructure for a revitalized, vibrant and thriving neighborhood.

Examples of intensification:

Converting a Single Detached House into a Duplex or Triplex – A downtown single-family home can be renovated or rebuilt into a duplex or triplex, increasing the number of residential units while using the existing lot and infrastructure efficiently.
Developing Multi-Unit Residential on a Vacant Lot – A previously vacant lot zoned for single-detached housing can be developed into a 4-plex, 6-plex, or even a small apartment building, adding more housing options within the same footprint.
Mixed-Use Development – A low-rise commercial building in the downtown area can be redeveloped with retail or office space on the ground floor while adding residential units on upper floors, optimizing land use and fostering a vibrant, walkable community.
Laneway Housing or Secondary Suites – Back laneways in residential neighborhoods can accommodate secondary suites, increasing housing density without drastically altering neighborhood character.
Re-purposing Underutilized Buildings – An old office building or warehouse in a central area can be converted into residential units or a mixed-use development, making better use of existing structures.
Densifying Existing Low-Density Areas – Large residential lots in established neighborhoods can be subdivided to create multiple smaller lots for additional housing while maintaining community aesthetics.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – Encouraging higher-density residential or mixed-use buildings near transit hubs, allowing more residents to live within walking distance of public transportation and reducing reliance on cars.

Benefits of Intensification

Social

Promote walking, biking, and other transportation options to eliminate mobility and traffic barriers.
Increase access to affordable housing and offer a variety of housing options.
Position residents closer to public services to foster social connections and improve accessibility.

Environmental

Promote sustainability by preserving ecosystems and optimizing urban properties.
Encourage compact and energy-efficient building designs to reduce resource consumption.
Lower commuting emissions through the implementation of compact communities.

Economical

Transform vacant spaces to enhance property value and stimulate local economies.
Attract investments and create diverse mixed-use developments.

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Building Better Neighbourhoods

The City’s Intensification First strategy is another step towards more housing opportunities, more commercial space, and more active and vibrant neighborhoods. The City is undertaking multiple initiatives to put this strategy into action.

NEW “Residential Intensification" Zones (RI and RI-1): To promote residential development.
Development Incentive Grants: For Affordable Housing, Mixed-Use, Additional/ Multiple Dwellings, and Home Improvements.
A Comprehensive Intensification Policy: Through an updated Community Plan.

To know more about intensification and how the City can assist you, contact intensification-first@yellowknife.ca.