| Principles are a popular way of expressing commitment
to certain ideals. As used here, the principles can bring us a step closer to
understanding community sustainability. These
principles...offer a starting point for addressing sustainability at the community level.
Whether you use them as presented, or interpret them so that they reflect your community's
particular circumstances, they act as a touchstone for all who may be involved in a
community sustainability initiative.
A suggested approach to using these principles is to start by
agreeing on the form and wording most suitable to your community. This may not be a
straightforward exercise since people tend to be careful in their choice of preferred
words. Then, with the support of those who helped develop the new version of the
principles, consider how to translate the broad statements used in the principles into
specific actions that different sectors, organizations, even individuals, in the community
can take.
For example: What can the Municipal Corporation Public Works
Department do in support of each principle? What about its Purchasing Department? How
about the schools and school boards in the community? What can the business community as a
whole, and specific businesses, do? What can the churches, the volunteer organizations,
and social clubs do? What can you do in your own home and in your day to day activities?
Going through this exercise should help make the idea of a
"sustainable community" more tangible. People and organizations can then see, in
practical terms, actions they can take. Hopefully as a result they will more fully
appreciate the need for these actions.
Also included is an illustrative set of examples that highlight some
possible actions related to the model principles. These are actions that might be taken by
a municipal government.
These examples are intended only to help demonstrate how
principles can be identified with actions. The actions themselves do not necessarily
represent preferred or recommended actions.
Model Principles
A sustainable community is one which:
- Recognizes that growth occurs within some limits and is ultimately
limited by the carrying capacity of the environment;
- Values cultural diversity;
- Has respect for other life forms and supports biodiversity;
- Has shared values amongst the members of the community (promoted
through sustainability education);
- Employs ecological decision-making (e.g., integration of
environmental criteria into all municipal government, business and personal
decision-making processes);
- Makes decisions and plans in a balanced, open and flexible manner
that includes the perspectives from the social, health, economic and environmental sectors
of the community;
- Makes best use of local efforts and resources (nurtures solutions at
the local level);
- Uses renewable and reliable sources of energy;
- Minimizes harm to the natural environment;
- Fosters activities which use materials in continuous cycles. And, as
a result, a sustainable community:
- Does not compromise the sustainability of other communities (a
geographic perspective);
- Does not compromise the sustainability of future generations by its
activities (a temporal perspective).
What actions can be suggested for each of the principles which could
be undertaken in your community?
SUCCESS STORIES
Ottawa
"A Vision for Ottawa" is the title of the City of Ottawa's
new Official Plan. As a municipal planning document, it is unique in its attempt to
integrate the principles of sustainable development into the planning process. One of the
key objectives of the Official Plan is balancing social, economic and environmental
activities, based on the concept of environmentally sustainable urban development.
The City's commitment to sustainable development is manifested in
the Mission Statement of Sustainable Urban Development, the Guiding Principles, and the
Vision for Ottawa which are found at the beginning of the Plan. The specific policies
contained in the Plan are designed to reflect this commitment.
For example, the housing policies promote affordable housing,
infilling and intensification, which reflect the guiding principles of adequate shelter,
and conservation and enhancement of the resource base. The transportation policies
encourage increased use of public transportation, cycling, and walking, which reflect the
guiding principle of increasing non-automobile transportation. In addition, the plan
outlines the City's environmental impact assessment process, which is designed to address
the cumulative impact of everyday practices and development projects on the environment.
Ottawa's Official Plan was developed through an elaborate public
consultation process and gained solid community support. Since its adoption, the Plan has
received considerable professional recognition, including the 1992 Canadian Institute of
Planners' Award of Excellence.
For more information, contact: Planning Department, City of Ottawa
Tel: (613) 564-1663
Fax: (613) 564-8077
Source: http://www.web.net/
ortee/scrp/20/23vision.html |