The City of Vaughan, located immediately north of the City of Toronto, has experienced substantial population growth since the early 1990s and had a 2006 population of about 240,000 residents. MGP acted as both the project managers and the designer/planners in the development process for a 400 hectare development area planned to accommodate 11,500 residents housed in 4,000 units. The Block is in the Oak Ridges Moraine where challenging topography and soil conditions influence the variety and mix of land uses and built form planned for the community.

The Block planning process required the coordination of environmental, engineering, urban design, transportation planning and owner interests. The Block Plan will be one of the first urban areas to be developed based on the criteria of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and required innovative servicing solutions to facilitate aquifer recharge function.