Frequently Asked Questions

The Riverwalk project is a transformative opportunity to revitalize Brampton’s downtown, unlock the economic potential of the area make it sustainable, healthy and resilient. Its main purpose is to engineer an innovative long-term solution to eliminate the flood risk in downtown Brampton, which will spur urban growth and development, attract investment, and extend and improve the public realm.

Why is it important?

Currently, the Etobicoke Creek runs through a concrete-lined bypass channel that has protected downtown Brampton from flooding for over 70 years. However, the risk of flooding still exists, and the channel does not exempt the area from strict provincial regulations that limit development.

The Riverwalk project will accomplish the important tasks below:

Protect existing properties in the downtown core from flood damage during both the regulatory (Hurricane Hazel-sized) storm event and other storms with a high flood risk.
Remove the Etobicoke Creek floodplain and thereby allow for the removal of provincial floodplain development restrictions.
Unlock economic, environmental, social and cultural opportunities, attract investment, support downtown revitalization and development of a new Centre for Innovation, a mobility hub and the Innovation District.

What is the Riverwalk study area?

The Riverwalk study area generally encompasses the Etobicoke Creek valley and connected open space from Vodden Street in the north to Clarence in the south, and from Ken Whillans and Mary Street in the west to Centre Street in the east.

What has happened to date?

There has been extensive work done to date. The Special Policy Area covering 30 hectares of Downtown was updated in 2014. For more information about that see information on the City of Brampton site (as well as the Toronto and Region Conservation Area (TRCA) site).

Following the update of the Special Policy Area (SPA) two Feasibility Studies have been undertaken:

The Phase 1 Feasibility Studies: This assessed a wide range of flood mitigation options and identified the possibilities. For more information check the Documents and Reports page.

Phase 2 Feasibility Studies: This included further detailed assessment of flooding, including the dynamics of the interaction between the river and storm sewers. Urban design and land use considerations were included to better understand the physical requirements to meet flood risk reduction goals suitably integrated into the surrounding area. For more information check the Documents and Reports page and the TRCA page.

Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Environmental Assessment: Based on the Feasibility Studies, and Council’s identification of Riverwalk as a “game-changer”, the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection (DBFP) Environmental Assessment study commenced in 2018 led by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in partnership with the City of Brampton.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) was undertaken with federal, provincial and regional funding through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the Natural Disaster Mitigation Fund and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.

In 2023, the City retained AECOM to begin work on a detailed design for the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection.

Project timeline

The Riverwalk Area Urban Design Master Plan has been completed and subject to a staff report to the Committee of Council on June 22nd, 2022. The project was endorsed and approved by Council through the Committee minutes on August 10th, 2022. The report and associated materials are available here.

The current step in the project is the detailed design for flood protection. This work has started and we will refine plans, specifications, and estimates from an engineering perspective. Following detailed design, and depending on funding and approvals, the start of construction is targeted for 2025.

What was the purpose of the Flood Protection Environmental Assessment?

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a planning and decision-making process that identifies a preferred solution that will reduce the flood risk to the downtown core, while considering opportunities for revitalization and ecological benefits.

The purpose of the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection (DBFP) was to develop and secure provincial approval for flood mitigation measures. Implementation of these measures would remove the existing flood risk caused by the Provincial Regulatory storm event (Hurricane Hazel) and allow for a reduction of the Provincially-designated Special Policy Area (SPA) in Downtown Brampton that currently restricts growth and economic transformation opportunities as a result of the flood risk.

Visit the TRCA project website for more information.

What is the Riverwalk Urban Design Master Plan?

An Urban Design Master Plan or Open Space Plan is a long-term planning document that provides a layout to guide future growth and development.

The Riverwalk Urban Design Master Plan (UDMP) is complementary to the Flood Protection Environmental Assessment and integrates the flood protection measures into the public, open space realm along the Etobicoke Creek valley from Vodden Street to Clarence Street. It looks at parks development along the valley, open space design, eco-spaces, and recreational uses, to promote active lifestyles and to animate open spaces. Attention has been paid to the programming opportunities (including recreation, arts and culture, heritage, education) in the area considering the role this area will play as a major amenity and attraction.

For information and to stay up to date on the project, see the Riverwalk UDMP page.

How much will all of this cost?

Costs for the Riverwalk can be broken down into two parts – the costs for doing flood protection work, and the cost for implementing the Urban Design Master Plan.

Preliminary cost estimates for the flood protection works are $106 million based on the Environmental Assessment. The estimated costs for the Urban Design Master Plan related projects are yet to be determined.

What will the end result look like?

Based on the Feasibility studies, a series of renderings and a Virtual Reality Tour were prepared and presented to the public. These renderings are concepts only and subject to change. These are being updated to include the preferred flood protection solution as identified in the Environmental Assessment as well as the design concepts advanced in the Riverwalk Area Urban Design Master Plan.

How can I get involved?

Public and stakeholder consultation and engagement are very important for the City and the Riverwalk initiative.

The Environmental Assessment included a very comprehensive public consultation and engagement process – see the TRCA project website for more information.

Consultation on the Urban Design Master Plan has finished and we appreciate the input received. For information on public engagements and to see a summary of input received, see the Have Your Say page.