The revised Provincial Policy Statement of 2005 and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (MPIR, 2006), have galvanized debate on growth management in southern Ontario. This study of retail development and consumer travel behaviour for shopping in the GTA serves as a useful regional case study that can shed light on the relationship between the retail system, consumer transportation, and the visions and principles in the Growth Plan.
In this final section of the paper, we examine how the provisions of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe would affect retail development and compare these provisions with our findings.