In 2023, the viability of our towns will be a major focus for the Institute’s programming. This spring, over 70 people who have been involved in our programming or have offered to help will be strategizing on the best ways to achieve progress on our four priority areas. We will also be discussing how towns across Southern Georgian Bay could collectively align objectives, planning, and investments to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) # 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Canada and 192 other countries signed on to the SDGs in 2015,and collective action could achieve these goals by 2030 if we learn and act together.
What does this mean for the Institute and over 500 people who now subscribe to our newsletter? We will be offering events with a stimulating learning curve, connection with a lot of new people, and the opportunity to be involved in challenging and deeply satisfying initiatives.
Suggested reading to ground ourselves for this work:
1.) Our Sustainable Future Report – highlights from 2021 programming that inspired last year’s events and our thinking around SDG 11.
SDG 11 includes these interconnected issues:
- affordable housing
- addressing environmental and transportation challenges
- nurturing cultural assets
- protecting natural assets
- providing universal access to green and public space
- practicing integrated planning and management, and
- supporting positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban and rural.
*This is especially important as our region is an area where rural and urban communities meet.
2.) The Blue Mountains Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) With 20 bold actions that need to be realized, every town could have a ICSP!
3.) Community Planning: SDGs, Data Capacity, and the Affordability Matrix
Written by social finance expert Marilyn Struthers, this article is part of the Affordable Housing Toolkit created by one of our learning groups and hosted on the Institute’s website. It highlights the need for more data regarding the housing we need to ensure the viability of our towns.
