Better Collaboration and New Urban Agenda Needed to Sustain Mature Neighbourhoods

February 02, 2012

Community Sustainability Task Force releases report and recommendations

A new urban agenda and a formal partnership between Edmonton school boards and the municipal, provincial and federal governments are needed to ensure the vitality and sustainability of Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods. That’s one of nine recommendations of the Community Sustainability Task Force as outlined in its report, ELEVATE.

ELEVATE is the result of a year of consultation and deliberation by the Task Force, which was appointed by Mayor Stephen Mandel in February 2011 to create solutions to sustain and support Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods as part of a healthy and vibrant city core. 

“The Task Force has put a tremendous amount of thought and work into its report and recommendations,” said Mayor Mandel. “Formalizing our relationships with stakeholders and putting operational processes in place will allow us to break down silos, share valuable information, reduce duplication and find innovative ways to ensure our mature neighbourhoods are vibrant and viable communities.”

The Task Force, Chaired by former City Councillor Michael Phair and Vice-Chair Teresa Spinelli, owner of Edmonton’s Italian Centre Shop, with representatives from school boards, communities and the municipal and provincial governments, released its report with recommendations and action plans on February 2, 2012.

“We learned that when confronted with historical and demographic change, it’s not easy to keep communities and schools lively, desirable and vibrant,” said Phair. “However, Edmontonians want to be engaged in helping to lift up or elevate their communities. ELEVATE is the result of an extensive and complex process of listening, consulting, discussing and debating. It is the result of our examination of community sustainability and offers recommendations as a ‘blueprint’ for the next steps Edmonton can take to achieve ongoing community vitality.”

Nine recommendations have been developed, each with a number of associated action plans. In addition to calling for a new urban agenda, the Task Force also recommends:

• A channel or body that would bring the City, the school boards and the Province together to ensure community sustainability
• The development of an asset-based plan for every mature neighbourhood (to determine strengths and needs)
• A collaborative regulatory environment
• The creation of and support for business diversity within communities
• A diversity of housing, and better education within communities around diversity and densification
• The delivery of life-long learning opportunities in all community-driven plans
• Innovative and sustainable funding from the Province of Alberta to guarantee that existing and new schools are modern, multi-functional and able to accommodate a diversity of programs

Leaders from the key partners - the City, school boards and Alberta Education - will now begin developing an implementation plan for the recommendations.

For more information:

Erica Brusselers

Title	Communications Consultant, Office of the Mayor
Telephone	780-496-8105 780-405-6946