[getsmart-l] Markham's Town Planning Survey - Is this good for all municipalities?

[John O'Gorman]

I send you this not so that you can participate but so that you will be aware of this process and perhaps find it useful for your municipality to undertake. Also, it is a method of introducing you to the two reports.
Regards,
John
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It is completely serendipitous that the same week that Markham begins its survey of citizens' opinions on Town Planning http://ww2.clickwithmarkham.ca/wix2/p84682273.aspx (and in nine different languages), the below two reports are published. The first is a public health viewpoint from ICES and the second is a report from professional planners - they support each other! I suggest that you check out the survey and then see how their suggestions fit to expand the Town's viewpoint.

http://www.ices.on.ca/webpage.cfm?site_id=1&org_id=67&morg_id=0&gsec_id=0&item_id=4406&type=atlas 
Neighbourhood environments and resources for healthy living - A focus on diabetes in Toronto Glazier R and Booth G.  November 2007 


http://www.ontarioplanners.on.ca/pdf/Healthy_Sustainable_Communities_2007.pdf
Healthy Communities, Sustainable Communities November 8, 2007 

The common starting point is that urban planning predicts the health of the population. How? Inasmuch as it supports intensification/densification that promotes walkability and negates the constant/consistent use of the automobile. (OP, pg 4; ICES, pg 300, 301 and 302)

Ready and appropriate access to healthy food via grocery stores, farmers markets and such promotes health and the contrast of "food desserts" where good shopping is not available.  (ICES pg 303; OP pg 5)

Poverty, homelessness and "High Risk Neighbourhoods" affect the health of the population and the solutions lie in part in urban planning. (ICES pg 303; OP pg. 12)

Air quality/air pollution become a function of urban design in the transit-car dichotomy. (OP pg 16 and 17; ICES pg 302)

The need to support public health activities, locations and research is supported in both reports OP pgs 14 and 16; ICES pgs 303 and 304) The OP report even goes so far as to link to the Urban Design criteria of:
?Designing comprehensive open space systems that integrate and link natural features could help alleviate respiratory problems, promote physical activities, and support mental health. A hierarchy of good-quality built features (urban parks and parkettes, squares, and pathways), linked with well-designed walkable streets would also contribute to healthier communities."

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