W5 - The Vaughan Tomorrow Edition

What legacy? Be Part of our blueprint for the future of Vaughan

Without a doubt every parent wants to ensure that their children receive a variety of legacies to preserve their futures. For some the legacy is purely financial. For others, spiritual legacies are most important. As residents and citizens in the City of Vaughan we also have an opportunity to provide a legacy for those who will live here today and into the future through the actions that we take today.

An example of this is the recently implemented decision by Vaughan Council to require that all future subdivisions, in order to be considered for approval must be Energy Star compliant. This means that each of the residences being built will be 30% to 40% more energy efficient than traditional comparable sized homes not only for today, but for the life of the homes that are built. By taking this step, Council helps to address critical issues such as energy conservation and global warming.

Councillor Alan Shefman speaking on the Environmental Master Plan at the launch of Vaughan Tomorrow.

 On March 27, the City of Vaughan publically launched our most important legacy project - Vaughan Tomorrow. Vaughan Tomorrow will produce our blueprint for the City's growth and development over the next 25 years. The three-year planning process initiated on that day has four components:

? Vaughan Vision 2020 Strategic Plan
? The Environmental Master Plan
? The Official Plan Review
? Functional Master Plan Development

Vaughan Vision 2020, in establishing the City's strategic vision provides the foundation for the other projects. After extensive public consultation it and was publically launched this past winter.

The Environmental Master Plan which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008 will give us our road map for a sustainable future where the environment, economic development and community will be brought into synch.

The Official Plan Review will define the development of the City in a concerted, clear and integrated fashion. This Review, which will be completed at the beginning of 2010 will help us facilitate an orderly approach to how we will continue to develop the City. The Functional Master Plans include the development of plans on such key areas as transportation, water management, infrastructural renewal, recreation, parks, facilities and libraries and financial management.

GET INVOLVED!!
Throughout the planning process the City will embark on an extensive public information and consultation process, including the sponsoring of an information and educational speaker series, beginning on April 10 -- see below for details. All sessions will take place at the Vellore Community Centre which is located on Weston Road between Rutherford and Major Mackenzie. Please go to Vaughan Tomorrow for more information and the complete program overview.

Also, beginning in May there will be a series of public consultations in throughout the city to allow members of the public to have their say on any of the issues being addressed by Vaughan Tomorrow. The Thornhill session is scheduled for May 27. The location will be announced shortly.

Session 1: Defining a Sustainable Future

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

This session explores the meaning of Sustainable Community Development and its implications for the growth and development of Vaughan. Speakers will provide examples of communities and practices to illustrate actions that can be taken in Vaughan to promote sustainability.

Moderator: Melanie Hare, Urban Strategies

Speakers: Pamela Robinson, Ryerson University;

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

George Dark, Chair, Evergreen Foundation, Urban Strategies

Catherine O'Brien, Cape Breton University; Green Communities

James Micak, DPRA, Vaughan Environmental Master Plan

This session explores the characteristics of successful urban places. Speakers will draw on their experiences to identify characteristics of successful place making initiativesand specific actions that can be taken to improve the communities in which we live.

Moderator: Mark Reid, Urban Strategies

Speakers: Gil Penalosa, Walk and Bike for Life, Project for Public Spaces

Mark Lakeman, City Repair Project, Portland, OR

Greg Weimerskirch, Urban Design Associates, Pittsburgh, PA

This session explores the characteristics of the modern 21st Century City and what this means for understanding Vaughan as an urban place. Speakers will identify strategies for successful management of growth and development in the coming 25 years. How do citizens identify with the City? How does the City relate to the Toronto region? What major transformations are taking place in the overall urban structure that Vaughan must respond to if it is to improve the quality of life for its residents and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future?

Moderator: Pino Di Mascio, Urban Strategies

Speakers: Mark Kingwell, University of Toronto, Philosopher, Cultural Theorist

Roger Keil, York University, City Institute

Greg Baeker, Euclid Canada

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