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September 1, 2007
Facing change with vision and a transparent approach... in Canada
Atlantic Yards Report
While in Nova Scotia, Norman Oder finds a set of planning principles spelled out in "Seek", the Planning and Design Centre's official Newsletter. These are planning processes that Brooklynites can only dream about.
Quoted is the mission of the Planning and Design Centre:
The Planning and Design Centre is a store-front operation that makes planning and design visible, open to discussion and sources of innovation. It is seen as a collaborative enterprise, common ground and a think tank that brings together the public, the business community, the development industry, and different levels of government for a tangible purpose.
Vision HRM mission is the governmental part of the process. Part of its mission is quoted:
The Community Visioning Process is intended to allow a community to determine its own priorities; priorities which will guide the community into the future. The visioning process will not only focus on land use or planning issues, but will respond to a broader range of community concerns and opportunities crossing over many of HRM’s areas of program and service. The visioning process will therefore foster more meaningful problem solving and action planning.
Norman ends with this inspiring quote from "Seek":
The future does not just happen, it is not predicted or projected or incrementally negotiated, or a simple extension of the past. We can have a hand in shaping it. Planning is about establishing a vision, setting a direction and taking informed strategic action. It is not restrictive or mysterious. It cannot be imposed nor can it be seen as the exclusive realm of professionals. It needs to be a process and an approach that is open and inclusive and part of everyday life. Similarly, design quality as it is reflected in every proposal, development and policy cannot be seen as a luxury, expensive or optional. We have to expect and demand creativity, quality and excellence.
Posted by steve at September 1, 2007 8:18 AM