Based on community feedback received during Phase 1, the project team has developed a draft shared Waterfront Vision and a set of Guiding Principles to inform future design and decision-making.

The Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Project envisions a vibrant, inclusive and resilient waterfront that reconnects the community to the harbour through enhanced public access, expanded open spaces and a celebration of the area’s rich cultural heritage. The plan seeks to create a waterfront that tells the full story of Dartmouth’s past while shaping a more equitable and welcoming future.

Over the next 30 years, the waterfront will evolve into a dynamic hub for housing, innovation, tourism and recreation, supporting sustainable economic growth while integrating climate-resilient infrastructure and green design. Through thoughtful development, active transportation networks and vibrant public places, the waterfront will become a shared front porch for the city, where culture, commerce and community life thrive along the edge of the harbour.

Access, connection and wellbeing

• Reconnect city and waterfront: Reconnect downtown Dartmouth to the waterfront through safe rail crossings, transit and active transportation.
• Ensure public access: Ensure the waterfront remains public, barrier-free and accessible with trails that knit the waterfront together.
• Expand and enhance open spaces: Create and upgrade waterfront open spaces for recreation, leisure, community and cultural gathering, reinforcing the waterfront as a shared front porch for the city.
• Promote health and wellbeing: Design will support mental and physical health through access to active transportation routes, outdoor fitness amenities, safe lighting and all-ages play spaces.

Nature, sustainability and climate action

• Strengthen connections to nature: Emphasize ecological restoration and access to natural systems.
• Champion sustainability: Use green building standards, renewable energy and circular waste systems to reduce the waterfront’s ecological and carbon footprint.
• Design for climate resilience: Protect people, property and ecosystems from sea-level rise and storm surge.

Identity, culture and tourism

• Enhance waterfront identity and sense of place: Celebrate Dartmouth’s distinct character through locally inspired design, storytelling and materials.
• Honour diverse histories: Celebrate Dartmouth’s diverse histories and highlight the contributions of the Mi’kmaq, Black Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons and other communities through murals, digital media, plaques and cultural programming.
• Support arts, culture and creativity: Design flexible public spaces to host performances, public art installations and support artistic expression by local and underrepresented artists.
• Promote tourism and culture: Activate the waterfront with year-round festivals, cultural events, public art trails and wayfinding to help visitors discover the waterfront.

Inclusive growth and economic vitality

• Preserve working waterfront functions: Protect Dartmouth’s maritime character and marine industries and integrate them with public space and education opportunities.
• Support economic growth: Enable investment and innovation through clear development frameworks and streamlined approvals with built-in community benefits.
• Foster inclusive development: Include a balanced mix of affordable, mid-range and market housing together with mixed-use retail, services and amenities.

Design innovation and excellence

• Elevate design excellence: Set high standards for architectural and public space design, guided by clear design guidelines prioritizing coastal vernacular, durable materials and human-scaled facades.
• Encourage innovation and adaptability: Support pilot projects, temporary uses and flexible zoning that allow experimental designs and programming to transform the waterfront over time.

Collaboration and long-term stewardship

• Build in partnership with community: Continue engaging the community through workshops, pop-ups and ongoing dialogue.
• Plan for phased long-term change: A clear phasing strategy with regular five-year reviews will keep the plan responsive, accountable and aligned with community aspirations.
• Secure long-term stewardship and governance: Establish a long-term governance model to coordinate implementation, monitor progress and ensure that public interest guides future decisions. Stewardship may involve public-private partnerships, Indigenous co-management and dedicated oversight bodies to maintain momentum and integrity.