THE UTILITY OF EVALUATION RESEARCH TO LAND-USE REGULATIONS - THE CASE OF ONTARIO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT

This article explores the utility of evaluation research to the implementation of land use regulations through a Great Lakes shoreline case study. Factors influencing the relevance of evaluation research are discussed. Shoreline development regulations along the Great Lakes have been administered by several Ontario conservation authorities. The regulations were evaluated, using four process and four outcome criteria, in order to determine their effectiveness in reducing flood- and erosion-prone shoreline development. Several regulation aspects were found to limit regulation effectiveness. An unclear Conservation Authorities Act with regard to these regulations hindered effective development control. Public information about the regulations was also lacking. However, results indicated strong public support when participants were informed about the regulations' purpose. Penalties provided in the Act served as poor deterrents to non-compliance. These limitations, identified through evaluation research, served to alert regulation administrators to aspects of the programme that required review and amendment. Decision-makers were able to increase regulation effectiveness through the utilization of evaluation research.