ATTACHMENT 2
COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
THE QUARTERS DOWNTOWN
— Edmonton, Alberta —
by Deborah Lawson,
Word Circus, Inc.
As a critical component of the City of Edmonton Redevelopment Plan, the Community Action Planning Group has been authorized and sanctioned by the Mayor and City Council as a fundamental component of the revitalization plan. It was struck to engage in a process of seeking clarification, soliciting community input and commentary and providing direction regarding the revitalization of The Quarters.
Consultation with current residents of The Quarters is a critical component in achieving a comprehensive revitalization vision. The presented recommendations are a result of community consultation and the deliberations of the committee.
According to the 2005 municipal census, approximately 2,400 residents live in the area. Although specific numbers are not available for The Quarters from the 2008 census, population in the Boyle Street area as a whole has remained stable between 2005 and 2008. The people who will be directly impacted by revitalization of The Quarters include:
· a residential population that considers The Quarters to be their community
· those who consider the district their home but don’t currently reside there (including those who access services there)
· future residents who will contribute to the community’s diversity
Community Action Planning Group committee members include representatives from a broad spectrum of human services agencies, affordable housing providers, developers and funding partners. The committee’s role and philosophy, its mandate, and its values, beliefs and guiding principles are attached as Appendix B.
Resident Engagement
Resident consultation comprised three components: story telling, small group engagement and “walkabout” interviews.
Developed by consultant Ingrid Crowther, the story telling process empowers people to express themselves in a manner comfortable to them; information is gathered not in response to specific questions but rather by following a story line (for example, an individual’s daily routine).
As an approach, story telling had value in The Quarters explorations because:
· the documenting of current residents’ views was a respectful and inclusive process
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· it allowed facilitators to capture the thinking, experience and perspectives of those for whom The Quarters is “home”
· as significant stakeholders, residents offered unique points of view, relevant comments and specific suggestions
The 68 people who participated in the story telling process represented a wide range of ages, socio-economic levels and length of time living in The Quarters. Residents felt secure in giving their responses, which generated honest and specific feedback. From the comments they made during the story telling process, facilitators were able to ascertain the kind of community the residents desire, their concerns and their recommendations.
The full report, Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations, is attached as Appendix C.
In addition to story telling, informal interviews were conducted. Two groups of new Canadians were interviewed. Conversations were held with immigrants of Asian and African origin. Committee members also did numerous “walkabout” interviews in which they engaged with people on the street, in shops and on their porches. This latter activity, in particular, drew forth comments from many long-term residents—including some who were the third generation living in The Quarters—who had a good grasp of the area’s history, and who had experienced a sense of loss as past “development” had changed the community in ways that were not seen as positive (for example, in the disappearance of independent, local shops and services). Overall, in spite of some concerns about crime, lack of safety and public disorder, they retained a strong sense of pride in The Quarters.
The committee also encountered several people who had moved away from the area, but who noted that they return regularly, and still think if it as “home.”
Residents’ hopes
A strong sense of community exists within The Quarters. Residents asserted that redevelopment must lead to opportunities for people to engage with one another, enhancing community vibrancy and connectedness. They expressed a concern that some people might be adversely affected by revitalization. Their community of choice includes:
· retention of the “flavour” of the community, including cultivation of the “living memory” of its former vitality
· activities that promote diversity and inclusivity
· design that lends itself to human interaction
· an environment that will attract shoppers, visitors or families with young children to the community
· places to meet for community activities such as playing games, chess or cards, or just for conversation
· affordable restaurants and coffee shops
· access to educational opportunities such as courses in budget management, child rearing, upgrading or crafts
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· accessibility of services such as affordable transportation, community and second-hand stores, some larger (grocery or hardware) stores and churches
· a clean, safe environment with adequate policing and well-lit walkways
· recreational opportunities, including accessible sports facilities, playgrounds, parks and bike paths
· development of Chinatown to attract visitors
· increased support services, such as counseling, for the needy
Residents’ recommendations
A number of specific recommendations arose from the interviews. The key residents’ recommendations were that any revitalization should include or develop:
1. A community that is representative of the diverse cultures and ages of residents.
2. A neighbourhood that includes both residential and commercial properties.
3. Affordable, accessible transportation.
4. Community centres to accommodate recreational sports, meeting venues and increased opportunities for education.
5. Affordable housing, including low rentals.
6. Additional support services.
7. Parks and playgrounds as meeting places for recreation and socialization.
8. Improved safety through increased lighting of streets and walkways, and through increased police patrols.
COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
CAPG members have identified that in order to honour the population it represents, the redevelopment of The Quarters must create “neighbourhood” as represented by a vibrant mix of socio-economic, income, generational and cultural groups. It must intentionally encourage cultural diversity and inclusive planning, incorporate a variety of innovative housing models and encourage a mix of rental accommodation and owned homes. Recreation spaces, green spaces and affordable environmental improvements must be thoughtfully distributed throughout the community. Revitalization must include an efficient, affordable transportation network and must implement drastically reduced parking requirements for affordable housing. It must guarantee quality, low-cost housing based on current and anticipated expansion, ensure accessibility of affordable daily living services and include provision for health care facilities and other community services as the area develops.
Specific recommendations of the Community Action Planning Group follow.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Housing
1. A significant percentage of public investment in The Quarters should be used to acquire properties that will accommodate a diverse range of non-market housing.
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2. Throughout The Quarters’ revitalization process, innovative housing models should be encouraged that involve the Third Sector (for example, non-profits, co-operatives, small investors and individual home builders).
3. Planning in The Quarters should strategically invest in social infrastructure (such as affordable housing) in lock step with municipal investments being made in infrastructure (such as parks, utilities and urban amenities).
4. A City-sponsored transition program should be developed to mitigate any displacement of current residents that results from redevelopment. A financing strategy should be developed to ensure availability of resources and housing inventory. Transition plans should be in place before existing housing is closed or removed.
5. Twenty per cent of all new housing should be affordable housing. One-third of this 20 per cent should be allocated for deep subsidized housing.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Hard Infrastructure
1. The Quarters Plan should recognize and celebrate Edmonton as a winter city. Streets, pocket parks, urban amenities, community developments, community gardens and recreation spaces should be designed for all-season, active use.
2. The Quarters Plan should incorporate planning principles that promote and encourage pedestrian mobility, transit use, cycling and generally less reliance on cars. Urban design features and amenities should place a priority on these principles.
3. Excessive green space is currently planned for the northerly two blocks of the Armature. While 96 Street could be narrowed, the 50 units of social housing should not be removed, and the balance of the lands should be redeveloped with mixed income housing.
4. Streets and lanes should not be closed to vehicle traffic.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Social Infrastructure
1. Encourage smaller, street-oriented commercial and business storefront developments.
2. Encourage the development of services and organizations that support health and wellness.
3. Ensure the involvement of the Third Sector as a key player in the investment of social infrastructure.
4. The City should purchase land and property for future community development use.
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5. A variety of neighbourhood recreation areas should be planned and developed.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Environmental Standards
A wide range of incentives should be made available to encourage the application of design and building standards that support sustainable development.
APPENDICES
Appendix A: June 2006 letter from Michael Farris (E4C) to Mayor Mandel and Edmonton
City Council
Appendix B: Backgrounder: The Quarters and the Community Action Planning Group
Appendix C: Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations
(Ingrid Crowther, consultant) and Draft Plan Developed for Downtown East Community Consultations, dated Feb. 28, 2007
Appendix D: Draft Map - Non Market Housing in The Quarters
Appendix E: Draft – Map Market Housing - Number of Units
Appendix A
2006 letter from Michael Farris (E4C) to Mayor Mandel and Edmonton City CouncilAppendix A
2008PDG012_AppendixA.pdf
APPENDIX B
THE QUARTERS DOWNTOWN
— Edmonton, Alberta —
Backgrounder:
The Quarters and the Community Action Planning Group
by Deborah Lawson
Word Circus, Inc.
A Brief Introduction to The Quarters
The Quarters is one of the original residential areas of Edmonton. Located on the eastern edge of downtown Edmonton, it consists of five unique districts—the Civic, Heritage, McCauley and Five Corners districts and the Armature. As a whole, The Quarters focuses on residential mixed-use development (containing businesses, offices and parks), while promoting an emphasis on pedestrian activity.
In the decade and a half before the City of Edmonton began its current downtown revitalization initiative, several attempts were made to rejuvenate The Quarters. In the early 90s it was the Old Town Market, a plan to create a public market between 96 and 97 Streets on the north side of Jasper Avenue. The Boyle Street McCauley Area Redevelopment Plan, built on a 1981 plan, was adopted in 1994. After that, there was the Jasper East Village Project, which officially concluded in December 2002.
Community Action Planning Group: Role and Philosophy
The role of the CAPG, as an integral part of the redevelopment process of The Quarters, is to deliver recommendations for City Council’s consideration.
The committee’s philosophy is that in order to appropriately represent The Quarters in the redevelopment process, it must:
· offer recommendations for a community action plan based on the values, beliefs and guiding principles that accurately represent the moral and ethical priorities of residents
· identify processes by which future development can be achieved in integration with those principles
CAPG Mandate
The mandate of the CAPG is three-fold:
1. To consider the impact of area redevelopment on current residents from a broad spectrum (via a cooperative approach between multiple organizations, including the City), thus ensuring that current residents experience any form of transition as a planned, positive initiative.
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2. To encourage a redevelopment model that integrates commercial and intensive land usage with a variety of housing options (including a range of affordable housing), resulting in “neighbourhoods” where residents can interact with one another, shop and enjoy local amenities.
3. To plan for the incorporation of ready access to attractive public areas and enhanced access to the river valley—focusing on walkways, public transit and other considerations that create “human” spaces.
CAPG Values, Beliefs and Guiding Principles
The following foundational principles were referenced in developing possible solutions to the challenges inherent in the revitalization of The Quarters. They have influenced all CAPG activities, considerations and recommendations.
· We value dignity, justice and respect for all people.
· We believe safe, affordable, appropriate housing is a fundamental right.
· We believe people have the right to choose where they live.
· We believe integrity and honesty in an open, transparent process result in insightful and balanced perspectives.
· We believe community planning and development is measured by the treatment of the least powerful and wealthy, therefore it should engage all those likely to be affected.
· We believe development in The Quarters should have a minimal environmental footprint.
· We believe residents should be meaningfully involved in the planning that affects their lives.
· We believe policies, procedures and programs must take into account and support the interests of all shareholders.
APPENDIX C
Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations
(Ingrid Crowther, consultant)
September 12, 2007
Draft Plan Developed for Downtown East Community Consultations
What we heard!
You want:
· To stay in this community
· A safe peaceful community
· Beautiful places to visit like parks gardens and trees
· Places to just sit and talk
· Places to take kids to play in like playgrounds
· A place for all people like kids, seniors, singles, and families
· To have things to do like play cards or chess or go to the library
· Play sports such as swimming, riding bikes, walking, soccer, hockey
· Churches and chapel services
· To have good bus service to get to cheap places like Wal-Mart
· To afford to live here
· Places like Salvation Army, Mustard Seed and Food Banks to stay
· Help people with problems like drugs and mental problems
· Go shopping in the community
· Meeting places were more people can get together
· Get together to talk about how to help those who need help like shoveling snow for the senior
· Buildings to be looked after
· Patrolled by police for safety
· Get rid of prostitutes and drug dealers
· Nice homes not a lot of high rises