Topic Archives: Planning

how Truth & Reconciliation interwine

On Thursday, September 7th 2017, CBC interviewed Professor Nicholas Rose from King’s College, U.K. on his sociological studies for an upcoming Mental Health and the Mega-city workshop in Switzerland. Professor Rose discussed the apparent link between higher rates of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia and city life.

On the 2nd of June 2015, Archbishop Fred Hiltz read an ecumenical response on behalf of Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United church leaders “Acknowledging that their apologies for harms done at Indian residential schools “are not enough,”… [and] welcomed the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which they say will offer direction to their “continuing commitment to reconciliation” with Indigenous peoples.”

The relationship between Aboriginal communities and Canadian society continues to evolve in 2015. On the 2nd of June, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its Call to Action, and, among its many recommendations, advocated accepting Aboriginal claims over land and shifting of the burden of proving any limitations onto those asserting such limitations.

It has been more than 50 years since Jane Jacobs wrote her opus The Death and Life of Great American Cities, a seminal critique of the rationalist assumptions underlying urban renewal and sub-urban sprawl. Her challenge to planners is that abstraction will not work “…You’ve got to get out and walk” (Downtown is for People, 1957).

The City of Barrie sponsored a World Town Planning Day event this year that explored the use of mid-rise buildings and whether this is the best form of development in urban centres to achieve intensification.

Dan Burden, the renowned Complete Streets advocate, once again graced us with his wisdom and wit early this November. Escaping just ahead of the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, he made it to Ontario in time to be awarded Honourary Membership in OPPI at our World Town Planning Day press conference.

On the 7th of June 2012, the County of Simcoe hosted a professional development activity concerning the “Duty to Consult” with Aboriginal communities. The Lakeland District of OPPI brought together local Aboriginal representatives and planners in a half-day panel discussion to initiate a dialogue.

The planning issues that face a First Nation are much the same as those found in any small municipality -residential housing, environmental protection, economic development, etc.; however, the traditional relationship between Aboriginal People and the Crown is an ever-present context in which they are dealt with.

An overview of planning workshops held by and for Beausoleil First Nations.