Increasing Density in Vancouver

Please check out this link:
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/councillors/mayor/announcements/2006/EcoDensity.pdf

As I've mentioned in previous posts, Vancouver is a growing city. While growth can be a great benefit to a city, there are certain issues that arise if the increased need for housing is not met with a well thought out approach. The increasing unaffordability of housing we are experiencing in Vancouver is one of these issues; likely the issue that currently affects us the most.

Another issue, however, is one much more serious and that perhaps does not quite affect our day to day lives at this moment, is the environmental impact that urban sprawl can create. The increase of land required (land generally moved away from food production, forests and parks), the increase of fossil fuels needed simply to get to and from work, and the increasing anonymity of the city are simple truths of an unplanned expansion.

Our Mayor has made a commitment to combating these issues by increasing density in the city. The idea is that if we can plan a tighter (spacially and neighbourly) knit community, our environmental footprint will be decreased, homes will become more affordable, and the quality of living will improve.

We have a real opportunity to affect the course of development by involving ourselves in this process. They are interested in everyone's opinion and ideas for making our city outstanding. I'll be sure to post meeting schedules and ways you can become involved on this blog, so if you feel this is of value - please come out and be part of the solution.

Stay dry - and have fun...