Karen Redman’s response to United Way KW’s Question: Why is neighbourhood development important? “Neighbourhoods define childhood, family and community experience. Neighbourhood development requires deliberate investment in services, recreation, green spaces, waste management, social services, schools and efficient transit that is affordable. The vast majority of these services are delivered by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Toronto demonstrates why neighbourhood development makes economic and practical sense for ensuring a high quality of life for citizens. Toronto rates high on the annual liveability scale, in large part, due to the sense of place created by small enclaves of community within a very large entity. Community creates at sense of belonging. People who belong care about those less fortune, that social services are adequate, that we are safe, that there is adequate affordable housing and no one prevented access to services due to disability. The development of neighbourhoods within a large and growing municipality like Waterloo is the result of thoughtful vision that embraces managed growth and sustainability. Balancing the tension between new suburban development and better use of the existing housing stock is essential to protect the quality of life we all value. Balancing the need for investment in childcare, public health, education with the need to target tax increases to cost of living increases. The protection of rural areas is the result of hard boundaries implemented by the Region that prevent urban sprawl. The LRT is a planning tool as well as a transit system. The nodes that have already begun to develop community along the route though adaptive reuse of existing buildings, better use of existing roads and services, increased residents living in the core and increased employment opportunities. Waterloo Region continues to redefine its economic base from large scale manufacturing to high tech, social and business innovation. The food industry continues to be a significant employer for our area. As a community our economy is remaining competitive in a global marketplace from a position of strength. Vision, investment and fiscal accountability are essential to the retention of our home town feel as we welcome 100,000 new neighbour in the next decade.”
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:42:59 +0000
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