The Innovation City: Mike Murray Presentation: The Big Shift: Fostering Innovation in Waterloo Region

1. "The Big Shift"
Fostering Innovation in Waterloo Region
Mike Murray
Chief Administrative Officer
Region of Waterloo
1

2. Our Vision
“Waterloo Region will be an
inclusive, thriving and sustainable
community committed to maintaining
harmony between rural and urban areas
and fostering opportunities for current
and future generations”

3. Growth Plan Population Projections

4. How Have We grown?
2010
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
Waterloo
Hespeler
Kitchener
Preston
Cambridge
Galt

5. Why Shift?
The Consequences of Not Shifting
Intrusion onto
environmentally
sensitive areas
Loss of prime
farmland
• 80% of our water supply comes
from the ground
• 225,000 acres in Waterloo Region
Negative health
impacts
• Commuting and "unwalkable"
subdivisions
Lack of global
competitiveness
• Waterloo Region as a "Complete
Community" is critical to success

6. What are the Shifts?
• Economy in Transition
• More "Intensification" / Less
Sprawl ("vibrant urban areas")
• Greater Transportation Choice
• Greater Focus on
Sustainability

7. Economic Transition
• Decline in Manufacturing
• 15,000 jobs lost since 2000
• Still significant sector (20 % of employment)
• Growth in Tech sector/knowledge
economy
• 1,000 + firms; $25 billion annual revenue
• Increase in service-sector, part-time
and temporary jobs
• Greater Global Competition
• For people and investment

12. More Residential Development in
Built-up Areas
And there are still more than 27,000
unbuilt units in plans of subdivision

13. More Housing Choice
New Residential Construction
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
Units
500
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
Single
2006
2007 2008 2009
Year
Semi
Townhouse
2010
2011
Apartment
2012

14. Greater Focus on Creative Sector
• 2009 Community Forum
• Increased Municipal
Investment in Arts and Culture
• Creative Enterprise Initiative
• Greater Provincial/Federal
support?
• Greater Private sector
investment?

15. Greater Transportation Choice
Focus on "moving people"

16. GRT Ridership
650,000
23.0
17.0
500,000
15.0
450,000
13.0
400,000
11.0
Service Area Population
Revenue Hours
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
7.0
2003
300,000
2002
9.0
2001
350,000
2000
Population or Hours of Service
19.0
550,000
Ridership (millions)
21.0
600,000
Ridership
16

17. Rapid Transit
Moving People / Shaping our Community

19. Optimize Existing Infrastructure
• Water Conservation
• Energy Conservation
• Optimize Road Capacity
• Transportation Demand Management
• Traffic signal timing
• Roundabouts
• Waste Reduction
• Blue box, Green bin

21. Natural Environment:
From Islands to Systems

22. Planned Community Structure

23. Some Reflections
• Regional/Municipal government has a key role in
fostering innovation
• Waterloo Region has a history/culture of
innovation to build on
• Planning and Building for Tomorrow is
challenging (change brings conflict)
• Collaboration between
governments, business, academia and
community is key
• Support from Federal and Provincial

24. More Reflections
“Why is this the best place
to invest in Canada?
Talented people! Our
region is a magnet for
talent.”
--David Johnston, Governor General of
Canada---Former President of the University of
Waterloo--

25. Thank you.