Development is an inevitable element of any urban centre, and there is tremendous potential for making Kingston a truly unique and vibrant place. Most residents are excited to see plans to revitalise our town, and support our councillors in pursuing a well-balanced and sustainable approach to urban growth.

We refuse to accept, however, that development should come at any cost. We believe that high-rise buildings have no place in Kingston as they will undermine a sense of place, overshadow the town's more human scale, and degrade the historic fabric that makes it such a beautiful and unique place. The St George planning proposal to build a 17 storey tower on the Old Post Office site is one example of the kinds of high-rise projects that will drastically impact our town centre. It will also set an alarming precedent for more tall buildings that will change the character of our town forever.

Tell our councillors and planning officers to refuse to allow the degradation of Kingston through the inclusion of high-rise buildings.

Send the message that what we want is a low- to mid-rise town with a more finely grained, more intricately rich and varied urban fabric, offering choice, contrast, respite, and surprise. This can be achieved by balancing the need for development with: 

• mixed-use buildings that fit within the surrounding context at a human scale,
• more pedestrian friendly walkways that allow sunlight and open-views of the sky, 
• high standards for materials, sustainability, and the greening of urban frameworks,
• and the animating of urban experience by providing a range of cultural,  recreational, and community spaces.