Connecting the National Urban Strategy, Planning and the Urban Sustainability Index Barry Wellar Background USI properties Planning and Development Implications Information System Implications USI as an Information Source B Wellar, CIP ‘03

Background

USI properties

Planning and Development Implications

Information System Implications

USI as an Information Source

Background Over the past 20 years Canada‘s “urban problem” is widely perceived to have worsened in cities of all sizes across Canada, and especially with regard to the largest metropolitan regions (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). B Wellar, CIP ‘03

Over the past 20 years Canada‘s “urban problem” is widely perceived to have worsened in cities of all sizes across Canada, and especially with regard to the largest metropolitan regions (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver).

Background The capability of governments at all levels to quantitatively measure and dynamically monitor the state of urban well-being, or to critically assess the impacts of urban policy, program or plan initiatives, is woefully i nadequate relative to the importance of the urban problem in Canada. B Wellar, CIP ‘03

The capability of governments at all levels to quantitatively measure and dynamically monitor the state of urban well-being, or to critically assess the impacts of urban policy, program or plan initiatives, is woefully i nadequate relative to the importance of the urban problem in Canada.

USI Properties The Urban Sustainability Index (USI) is a formulation that combines sub-index scores computed for key urban dimensions – finance, economy, environment, transportation, infrastructure, housing,land use, demography, governance – to create a single, comprehensive measure of city characteristics and performance. B Wellar, CIP ‘03

The Urban Sustainability Index (USI) is a formulation that combines sub-index scores computed for key urban dimensions – finance, economy, environment, transportation, infrastructure, housing,land use, demography, governance – to create a single, comprehensive measure of city characteristics and performance.

Planning and Development Initiatives As intimated, and assuming proper federal support (financial, technical, research) for the USI initiative, there is a window of opportunity for planners to become the “go to” people on USI methodology and operations. B Wellar, CIP ‘03

As intimated, and assuming proper federal support (financial, technical, research) for the USI initiative, there is a window of opportunity for planners to become the “go to” people on USI methodology and operations.

Information System Implications A Critical information systems task confronting planners will be to identify and “sell” the formulation(s) which best support(s) measuring sustainability from the perspectives of primary planning principles and compelling planning practices. B Wellar, CIP ‘03

A Critical information systems task confronting planners will be to identify and “sell” the formulation(s) which best support(s) measuring sustainability from the perspectives of primary planning principles and compelling planning practices.

USI as an Information Resource The implication for planners – including advocates, facilitators, rationalists, etc. – is that the information resource element of the USI initiative is an opportunity for building linkages and being included “in the loop” of major players. B Wellar, CIP ‘03

The implication for planners – including advocates, facilitators, rationalists, etc. – is that the information resource element of the USI initiative is an opportunity for building linkages and being included “in the loop” of major players.