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Policy Dialogue 0908--City governance and public participation in long term planning The following letter was sent by the AI to the Ottawa Citizen, August 2009 A World-Class City Requires World-Class Governance, Vision and Timing Terrance Hunsley
Creative planning and democratic participation are huge concerns for governments at all levels and throughout the world. Cities, regions, nations, and international institutions face big challenges from climate disruption, demographic change (ageing, population mobility and diversity), religious conflict, terrorism, the rapid growth of cyber crime, the economic crisis. Fortuitously sheltered, Ottawa remains a lovely city and those involved over the years deserve praise for their vision, dedication and good luck. That being said, Ottawa seems to be facing its current challenges and opportunities in a haphazard way. In late spring the library board presented a proposal to acquire downtown commercial land in the downtown for a new building, a civic showpiece. When the union city employees’ union suggested situating the library at Lansdowne Park along with other development appropriate for a site bordering the Rideau Canal, a local councilor stated in a radio interview that it would not be possible to re-open ( “pas question de repenser..”) the subject of use of Lansdowne Park, since private negotiations were underway with a group of developers. No mention that this process is to be followed by a public consultation. Now a local businessman and citizens’ group is trying to present a proposal which would locate the library as well as a football and soccer stadium at the Bayview Yards site, but there seems to be doubt whether the council will give it serious consideration. There may be good reasons why the library should not be located in Lansdowne Park, or in the Bayview Yards, but not having time to think about it does not seem like one. It is hard to see much evidence of a longterm vision for the city, when concerns such as public transit, infrastructure development, and land use regulation are raised. And now that there is an opportunity for inflow of short-term (federal) stimulus money, the city seems unprepared. The Citizen editorial pages are exhorting politicians to get their act together, and other orders of government to help. Councillor Doucet suggests that the city is ungovernable, in his view because amalgamation pits surrounding communities against the urban core. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a shared future vision of the national capital area? A vision to which individuals, citizens groups, business, political and institutional leaders could contribute? We have lots of modeling technology available at very modest cost. Models can be solid miniatures and/or electronic. Modeling software and new applications such as Google Earth permit us to simulate future scenarios for the city. Perhaps the big open space on the ground floor of city hall could house a permanent, interactive model of the city that would permit citizens to consider optional designs and visions, and to see how various proposals would contribute to their achievement. The people responsible for specific areas or functions could present their visions. We could see how they integrate, evaluate them, and make our own proposals. Would that lead to immediate consensus? Of course not. Current proposals would be put to the test of the citizens and the experts’ vision. We might indeed suggest alternatives…. Maybe the rapid transit could radiate out from sub-centres around the core (Bayview and Carleton U. for example) and the core area be served by a system of trolley-type buses circulating constantly around the central points, augmented by various forms of alternate and human-powered transport (Bixi system for example). Maybe we would suggest foregoing a tunnel under the core in favour of one under the river to Gatineau (perhaps linking with Bayview). Maybe we would suggest that we don’t need a large central library as much as larger branch facilities providing a wider range of services to both core and non-core areas. Maybe we would suggest that a football stadium, if it is viable and not just a lure to use public lands for private interests, should be located where the experts recommend - at a place like Bayview or in an outlying community. Maybe we would suggest that Lansdowne Park become a fantastic mixed-use public facility – a combination of food, craft and flea markets, exhibitions, venues for local musicians, recreation space, commercial boutiques, and smog-eating green space. A nice library/civic facility could be part. A draw for tourists and locals. A future vision is a work in progress, but modeling it could help us to be ready when opportunity knocks, such as the availability of stimulus funds. We could have some projects “shovel-ready” in the wings. It may seem a stretch especially given their modest achievements (although with an immense project) but the European Union might provide us some inspiration with their system of long-term clearly spelled-out objectives and regular public reports, against which current initiatives, by whichever political configuration, can be measured. Canada is changing dramatically, and is becoming one of the most multicultural nations on earth. We are fortunate that this has so far been a peaceful and enriching process. But to continue this process in a happy way, we need to foster social trust, involvement and creativity. The rules of tomorrow’s democracy are going to be worked out in the streets and neighbourhoods of our major urban centres, and our mechanisms of governance and participation at all institutional levels need to evolve to help the process along. Terrance Hunsley is President of the Advocate Institute. The AI is the original designer of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Quality of Life Reporting System. |
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The Advocate Institute of Human Resources, 1005-60 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Canada K2P 2G1 email: administrator@advocate-institute.com |
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