The 2018 civic election is a time to discuss our cities most critical issues. Winnipeg deserves an election based on more substantial discussions than one intersection. Portage and Main captures our imagination but has virtually no bearing on the financial viability and sustainability of our city. How we plan and design our city has everything to do with its long-term viability.
Four years ago, before the 2014 civic election, Manitoba Building Trades released the paper “Winnipeg 2014: Towards Sustainability.” We advocated for a discussion on sustainability and smart investments towards a long-term infrastructure revitalisation plan. This election, much like the last, is a critical opportunity for Winnipeg residents to choose civic leaders who will make sustainable development and revitalisation of inner-city neighbourhoods a top priority.
Unless we actively promote the renewal of our inner-city assets to increase property values, these neighbourhoods will not generate tax revenue to be self-sufficient. Winnipeg is one of Canada’s least densely populated cities. Residents here pay a much higher per capita cost of infrastructure than most other Canadian cities. Taxpayer density matters.
Beyond financial benefits, building high-density neighbourhoods creates healthy, vibrant, affordable and sustainable cities. Many studies have found that people living in well planned high-density communities live healthier and longer.
Revering the continuing deterioration of essential infrastructure in Winnipeg will require a commitment to five foundations for future development in our capital city. These are:
• Downtown Densification
• Revitalizing Inner City Neighbourhoods
• Constraining Large Scale Suburban Development
• A Renewed Commitment to Public Transit; and
• Improved Governance and Administration of the City of Winnipeg
To learn more about building a sustainable Winnipeg: