The
Urban Revolution
An Urban Revolution is taking place that
will surpass the technological and industrial revolutions.
Today,
80% of Canadians live in citiesPLUS double
the figures of 100 years ago. By 2050, 7.5 billion people
will live in urban areas throughout the world. Our survival
depends on the survival of all cities.
Global warming, air pollution, urban sprawl, overflowing
landfills, water shortages, disease and global conflict
will be the legacy of this century unless we move quickly
towards sustainability. This will take vision, commitment
and partnership. It will require collaboration among experts
and the involvement of all citizens.
Long-Term Planning is the Key
citiesPLUS will develop Canada's first
100-year plan for a sustainable metropolitan area - incorporating
economic, social and environmental priorities in a systems
approach. By looking ahead 100 years, municipalities can
better plan for the infrastructure needed to support future
growth.
The
project has four main objectives:
· To showcase Canada's expertise
in sustainable innovation
· To submit the winning entry
to the 2003 World Gas Conference's sustainable urban systems
design competition;
· To foster urban sustainability
in Canada and around the world by creating legacy networks;
and,
· To foster the integration
of sustainable urban systems planning into policies and
programs of the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
Canada
is one of eight countries invited to submit entries to the
competition. The Team Canada submission is being developed
by a public/private partnership of the Greater Vancouver
Regional District, the Sheltair Group, Canadian Gas Association,
Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues and other sponsors.
The project will become the cornerstone for revising the
GVRD's Livable Region Strategic Plan, recognized internationally
as a model for regional growth management.
citiesPLUS
will create a legacy network of business, government and
involved citizens who will foster urban sustainability in
Canada and internationally.
Showcasing
Canada's Expertise
With Canada's expertise and innovation, we are poised to
become a global leader in sustainability. Marketing these
services abroad has significant economic potential. citiesplus
will promote Canada's capacity on the world stage by highlighting
our ability to offer integrated solutions to complex sustainability
issues.
citiesPLUS
has an experienced Canadian project team led by the Honourable
Lloyd Axworthy as National Chair. The Vice-Chair is Michael
Harcourt, former premier of British Columbia. Team members
include representatives from across Canada.
This
project will link with other national initiatives such as
the C5, a consortium of mayors representing Canada's five
largest cities; work being completed by the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities; and the Sustainable Cities Initiative.
citiesPLUS will draw on a wealth of existing
skills and strategies including the Georgia Basin Ecosystems
Initiative, the Georgia Basin Futures Project, ongoing research
at the colleges and universities and a number of demonstration
projects.
Public
Involvement
citiesplus will involve sustainable urban systems experts,
government leaders and community members from across BC
and Canada. The process will include envisioning a sustainable
future, brainstorming how to achieve sustainability through
participatory events and drafting a model plan and toolkit
for urban systems design.
Upcoming
events
Roundtable
Discussions (early-mid 2002). An avenue for experts
in the fields of urban systems and sustainability to contribute
ideas.
Networking
Breakfasts (throughout 2002). An opportunity for
community groups and other organizations to discuss how
to collaborate and move towards sustainability.
Neighbourhood
and Design Workshops (Summer 2002). Multi-day
working sessions with planners, practitioners and others
to develop strategies, technologies, and action plans
to achieve the project vision.
The
submission developed for the competition will function as
a toolkit and case study for planning a sustainable region.
Cities around the world will be able to transfer methods,
ideas and innovations to their own metropolitan areas.
The Competition
The International Sustainable Urban Systems Design competition
is being sponsored by the International Gas Union, a global
organization representing the natural gas industry. The
IGU is exploring the roles that the energy industry can
play in developing solutions to global social and environmental
problems.
Canada
will be competing against seven other countries. Each team
will present its plan at the World Gas Conference in Tokyo,
2003 and will be judged by a blue-ribbon international panel.
The urban plans will form the centrepiece of the conference
trade show and website, and will become the focus of a technical
session for the 5,000 attendees from 62 countries.
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