Category Archives: Vibrant Neighbourhoods

Inspiring Healthy Communities

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May 9, 2013

Over the past 2 years we have heard from some great speakers about what makes a great city and they have provided us with inspiring ideas on how to build our community better. Several of our events have involved conversations around ways that urban planning can impact community life – whether it is the environment, our economic prosperity or public health.

Last week we heard from Dr. David Mowat, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Peel Region about building healthy communities and how the built environment (our roads, buildings, parks) can have a direct impact on public health. Picture1

Some key points that really resonated for me:
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Health and the Built Environment: Inspire Burlington hosts Dr. David Mowatt

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April 26, 2013

“We often act as if the only things needed to ensure good health are knowledge and willpower, but there is a mass of evidence that where we live and how we live exert a strong influence on our health. Building cities which help rather than hinder physical activity is an example of something we can do as a society to increase our chances of leading a long and healthy life.” – Dr. David Mowat, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region

I am pleased to host leading industry-expert, Dr. David Mowat, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region at Inspire Burlington on May 2, 7 pm at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre.

This talk will relate to our Official Plan Review and building healthy, vibrant communities.  As we review our Official Plan in line with efforts at the Region and the Province, we will consider opportunities to support the creation of healthy built environments.
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The Value of Investing in our Downtown

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April 5, 2013

Please take a moment to view my brief discussion with Glen Miller of the Canadian Urban Institute on the value of a community investing in its downtown.

On March 28, members of City Council, City staff and other stakeholders, participated in a Workshop on the vision for Downtown Burlington led by the Canadian Urban Institute. The workshop was part of a continuing exercise by Council to evaluate the progress we have made towards the Downtown Vision as stated in the Core Commitment for Downtown Burlington that was supported by Council in 2005.

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Talk about Trees: Private Tree By-law Study

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March 28, 2013

Spring is coming and soon the trees will be green again and we will be enjoying the outdoors. It is timely now, to talk about trees in Burlington and the City’s review of a private tree by-law.

Some background: Last spring and summer I heard from many residents concerned about the loss of trees and cutting of mature trees in their neighbourhoods. More recently, the potential loss of trees as part of a development proposal in the downtown area has become a concern for many local residents.

Unfortunately, trees are often lost as the result of development and construction. UrbanForest1It is interesting to consider if discussions about development would be framed differently if Burlington had a private tree by-law in effect. As a maturing city, continuing to grow within our urban limits, we can expect this issue to come before us again.

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Highlights from Inspire Burlington “Perverse Cities” Discussion

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March 1, 2013

Inspire Burlington featuring Dr. Pamela Blais will air on TVCogeco:

  • Monday, Mar. 11, at 2 pm
  • Tuesday Mar. 12 at 3 pm. 
  • Wednesday, Mar. 13 at 1 pm

Last night Dr. Pamela Blais gave a very interesting talk about municipal finance and planning at the first Inspire Burlington event of 2013.

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