What Makes a Great City

5 PROJECTS HELPING CANADIAN CITIES FLOURISH

BY GEOFF CAPE, EVERGREEN

Canada is a great city builder. Our cities are home to people from around the world, viewed by residents and newcomers as a place of tradition, refuge, opportunity and connection to nature. But with increasing polarization in cities, densification and environmental disruption caused by climate change, it’s more important than ever to build communities that create space for innovation, a sense of identity, and connection to people. These are complex challenges, but we can face them — together.

Creating a great city is more than just sustainable design. It’s about the act of ‘placemaking’ — where diverse people come together to plan, design, manage and program shared-use spaces. It’s a process that evolves and adapts with the city and its residents.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) recognizes the central role of urbanization in sustainable development to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Fortunately, communities across Canada are doing just that…adapting and evolving to better serve the needs of residents, and becoming more inclusive and sustainable at their core.

Finding these solutions requires innovation and experimentation. If we harness the great ideas already happening, learn from and become inspired by them, we can create thriving places that accelerate the creation of regenerative, inclusive cities. Here are five projects that highlight sustainability, place-making, inclusivity and innovation…all key ingredients that make a great city.

EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS, TORONTO

Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto Ontario

Once a brick-making site, Evergreen Brick Works has transformed into a thriving, inclusive hub of activity, learning, and innovative green design. Operated by the non-profit Evergreen, more than 500,000 visitors experience it annually, participating in community events, markets and workshops. The recent redevelopment of the kiln building continues to showcase the Brick Works’ status as a pioneer in green design by allowing the site to set a carbon-neutral target with its completion.

On the cusp of its 10th year, the Brick Works’ is fueling Evergreen’s work across Canada. It’s a place to test ideas that are scaled into projects nationwide. The site’s Children’s Garden has sparked the transformation of outdoor spaces for play and connection across the country.

Appropriately hosting the second annual, Future Cities Canada Summit, Catalyzing Community Solutions, on November 7 and 8th, this event focuses on connecting people who are shaping their cities for the better. Attendees will connect with other city builders to help drive ideas and share insights to adopt into their own communities.

ZIBI, OTTAWA

Zibi, Ottawa Ontario

Once marked for industrial operations, many cities are re-imagining their waterfront spaces to become active hubs for city dwellers to live, work and connect. This area of 34 acres bordering the Ottawa River is becoming a new kind of waterfront city with parks, plazas, publicly accessible waterfront and streets that prioritize pedestrians over cars. We all know a great place when we’re in one — a place with dynamic discovery, activities for all ages and occasions, and the opportunity for serendipity, as well as quiet reflection.

It also has a goal to become one of the most sustainable communities in Canada as a designated One Planet Community — from eliminating GHG emitting energy sources to encouraging social equity. Launched in 2015, Zibi has won numerous awards for public engagement and neighbourhood planning.

HALIFAX COMMON, HALIFAX

Halifax Common, Halifax Nova Scotia

Photo by shaunl

Located downtown, the Halifax Common has been acknowledged by the city as a vital greenspace that offers an inclusive and welcoming space for residents. Through a participatory planning process, where both needs and ideas come from residents themselves, Halifax is proposing readapting the downtown area in preparation for a densifying population.

Historically, changes to the Common have been piecemeal. While many residents enjoy a skate on the Oval or the Common Roots Urban Farm, the city is looking to how it can transform the Common with recommendations to ensure it continues to be valuable to residents for years to come. The process of community engagement through participatory planning is an exciting one for the future of our cities.

WARMING HUTS, WINNIPEG

Warming Hut, Winnipeg Manitoba

Photo by Dan Harper

Many city spaces are active when the weather is pleasant and mild, but what about in the cold and snow? Public art has the ability to transform spaces in our cities that are sometimes ignored or forgotten. While important year-round, it’s vital during the winter months to encourage people to gather, to connect, and to simply be present.

Now replicated in cities across the country, including the popular annual Winter Stations on Toronto’s Woodbine Beach, Warming Huts in Winnipeg was the first Canadian city to host the competition. Since 2009, the city has been inviting artists to design and install interactive art pieces in The Forks area of the city. Placed along the River Trail, the stations provide an artful backdrop for visitors skating along the path.

RUELLE VERTES, MONTREAL

Ruelle Vertes, Montreal Quebec

Photo by Marie-Michele Tremblay

Montreal’s Ruelle Vertes work hard. These once underused alleyways with more straightforward functions, such as providing access into backyards and garages, have been transformed into spaces of lush greenery in the city. But it’s not just a simple act of beautification. These 400 laneways counter cement-induced heat, add biodiversity, reduce stormwater runoff, and keep water cleaner, all while creating connections for the community as a safe space to meet, play and enjoy their neighbourhood.

It’s a project with community integrated through and through. Community groups are supported with funding and resources, but the end result is accomplished through the residents’ own ideas, consultations and hard work.

It’s an exciting moment for Canadian cities. With over half the country’s population now living in cities, it’s important that we continue to invest and participate in creating our public spaces. Their ability to connect residents and to pilot new ideas is invaluable. It’s through Canada’s public spaces that our cities will continue to flourish and transform our country into one that is inclusive and low-carbon; places where we can all thrive.

Geoff Cape is CEO of Evergreen and a founding partner of Future Cities Canada. For more information on Future Cities Canada Summit, visit www.futurecitiescanada.ca