keoadmin
07-06-2009, 04:04 PM
The following short article is an introduction to the development of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for Kingston.
Please give us your views on this city planning process which is currently under way.
-- Kingston Electors
Kingston's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
Judith Mackenzie
Kingston has set a course to develop an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). What exactly is it? How will it affect us? When will we notice a difference? Who is working on this? And why? The following summary is based on an article prepared in March, 2009 by Andrea Flowers of the Stantec consulting firm.
Kingston is not the first city to undertake this work. Canadian communities large (e.g, Vancouver, Toronto) and small (e.g.,Frontenac County, Township of Lanark Highlands) are envisioning their futures in this way. The leading principle of sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Commission, 1987). Given this date, the conceptis not new, and over the years, the principles for an ICSP have been developed and refined.
Adherents of ICSPs talk about the four pillars of sustainability: environment, social, economic and cultural (which embraces the arts and heritage). These four pillars indicate a very strategic and comprehensive approach to sustainability. Think of an ICSP as an umbrella plan that links municipal and community plans, and supports sustainability. It requires collaborative work by stakeholders and the public in a series of steps, over time, which will lead to the finalizing of the plan. The vision for this plan has already been established in the marketing phrase: “Kingston - Canada’s most sustainable city”.
As part of the development of the plan, a Community Sustainability Charette was held in May, 2008. The Charette identified 15 priority areas: built environment, business, culture, education, energy, food, green space & natural environment, governance, health care, poverty & homelessness, recreation, social services, transportation, waste and water. The resulting report can be found on the City’s website, www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/focus (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/focus) and follow the links to the Sustainability Charette report.
The work on the ICSP consists of 15 action steps continuing until February 2010 when the final Kingston ICSP report will be presented as will the report on Knowledge Sharing. The Sustainability link above also gives information on how to become involved and provide input. Focus Kingston, a city appointed committee, is playing a significant role in the development of the ICSP.
Various external organizations have ranked Kingston for its sustainability and/or livability levels. Depending upon the criteria being used Kingston does very well (one of three successful Canadian downtowns: Fillion et al, 2004) or not so well (the 12th most sustainable medium-sized city in Canada: Ontario Community Sustainability Report, 2007). These ratings can be used as baselines for future rankings which will indicate the city’s progress towards the sustainability goals. In the meantime Kingston residents can monitor the development of the plan by viewing information on the city’s website or contacting the individuals noted.
Please give us your views on this city planning process which is currently under way.
-- Kingston Electors
Kingston's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
Judith Mackenzie
Kingston has set a course to develop an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). What exactly is it? How will it affect us? When will we notice a difference? Who is working on this? And why? The following summary is based on an article prepared in March, 2009 by Andrea Flowers of the Stantec consulting firm.
Kingston is not the first city to undertake this work. Canadian communities large (e.g, Vancouver, Toronto) and small (e.g.,Frontenac County, Township of Lanark Highlands) are envisioning their futures in this way. The leading principle of sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Commission, 1987). Given this date, the conceptis not new, and over the years, the principles for an ICSP have been developed and refined.
Adherents of ICSPs talk about the four pillars of sustainability: environment, social, economic and cultural (which embraces the arts and heritage). These four pillars indicate a very strategic and comprehensive approach to sustainability. Think of an ICSP as an umbrella plan that links municipal and community plans, and supports sustainability. It requires collaborative work by stakeholders and the public in a series of steps, over time, which will lead to the finalizing of the plan. The vision for this plan has already been established in the marketing phrase: “Kingston - Canada’s most sustainable city”.
As part of the development of the plan, a Community Sustainability Charette was held in May, 2008. The Charette identified 15 priority areas: built environment, business, culture, education, energy, food, green space & natural environment, governance, health care, poverty & homelessness, recreation, social services, transportation, waste and water. The resulting report can be found on the City’s website, www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/focus (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/focus) and follow the links to the Sustainability Charette report.
The work on the ICSP consists of 15 action steps continuing until February 2010 when the final Kingston ICSP report will be presented as will the report on Knowledge Sharing. The Sustainability link above also gives information on how to become involved and provide input. Focus Kingston, a city appointed committee, is playing a significant role in the development of the ICSP.
Various external organizations have ranked Kingston for its sustainability and/or livability levels. Depending upon the criteria being used Kingston does very well (one of three successful Canadian downtowns: Fillion et al, 2004) or not so well (the 12th most sustainable medium-sized city in Canada: Ontario Community Sustainability Report, 2007). These ratings can be used as baselines for future rankings which will indicate the city’s progress towards the sustainability goals. In the meantime Kingston residents can monitor the development of the plan by viewing information on the city’s website or contacting the individuals noted.