The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe in Historical Perspective

The 2006 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan is the latest provincial initiative to plan the growth of the Toronto region. Regional planning in Ontario dates back to the 1940s, continued into the early 1970s, and revived, after a 18-year hiatus, in the 1990s. What happened to the previous plans? Why did regional planning fall out of favour at certain points? How does the latest plan fit into this history? This illustrated overview of regional planning dispels some misconceptions about regional planning in the Toronto area and provides some clues to the likely outcome of the Growth Plan.