Markham Centre Belongs to the People of Markham

The vision for Markham Centre was built on the recommendations and input gathered from an extensive public consultation process that began in 1992 through to the present.  As part of this process, the Markham Centre Performance Measures document was created in 2002, to identify measures to guide and monitor the implementation of Markham Centre. The Performance Measures help shape a vision that will provide Markham’s citizens with a unique urban downtown experience while ensuring that broader community values are maintained.  

Markham Centre is consistent with the Provincial and Regional growth management initiatives, having been identified as an Urban Growth Centre in the Provincial Growth Plan and as a Regional Centre as part of York  Region’s “Centre’s and Corridors” strategy.  Markham Centre is based on the principles of balanced live/work opportunities, compact urban form, natural heritage protection, and transit supportive development.  Recent residential developments in Markham Centre achieve a LEED Silver standard or better.

Markham Centre will have a distinctly urban character, with higher density, mixed-use built form, strong streetscapes and world-class parks and public amenities.  It will set new standards for sustainable communities and has the following goals:

• Celebrate Markham’s community values
• Enhance Markham’s quality of life
• Be sustainable for future generations
• Protect and enhance the natural environment
• Build upon transit initiatives and existing infrastructure
• Enhance the economic vitality of the Markham community
• Be the new downtown focus for the whole of the Markham community.
• Provide a central location for arts, cultural and social activities on a year-round basis