The concept of livable spaces, cities and towns incorporate essentials such as many walkways and greenways linked together to make an area walkable. Walkability In Sidney is going to be one main keys to its livability and enjoyment. Some decisions that become essential are related to the battle between asphalt roads and more parking lots and cars versus greenways and walking. Which will become the focus of the town. Do we need to drive, find parking to go the store or will we sacrifice 10 minutes and walk. Our health would certainly favor the exercise, breathing clean air and enjoying a little nature. What will convince us to change our mindset about that quick drive to get anywhere. We of course are looking at a cultural shift by asking ourselves are we willing to make that change. How will we live?
When I read Mona’s suggestion I hear what I think is the intent, without getting to hung up on the word greenspace. A few years back, I sent to Council and Town staff some research that shows that just having a street lined in trees has an significant influence on the health of the people living on those streets. Also reduces crime and other social issues. I remember years ago when we were engaged in the process to develop the current OCP reading the consultant’s argument against the many little green spaces in neighborhoods scattered around Sidney, small parks, undeveloped grassy areas between homes, wide planted sidewalks connecting streets, etc. The proposal was to reduce these and collect the equivalent space into a single park with lots of recreational facilities. But those spaces have a real effect on the livability of these neighborhoods. And they attract wildlife that helps everyone. In many countries, like England, they have national programs to encourage people to plant gardens, practical or ornamental, for the purpose of trying to bring back more wildlife that has been lost, and the loss of which has negatively impacted local food production. Just increasing pollinators is a benefit. And living within a more natural environment has a positive impact on health and social conditions. This is not about creating wilderness, its about learning how interdependent we are with the rest of nature.
Hi Richard,I too am in favour of tree lined streets and green space. I just think that in towns, we should have dense urban areas, and outside of that have undisturbed wild areas where there isn’t farm land. We should be having clearly defined spaces. It is either wild area ( rain forest) or it is farm land or it is urban areas, and urban areas should be able to have public greenery, preferably in the street ROW. However, on private land, property owners should be able to use land as they see fit, obviously with some limits. Trying to have the best of both worlds leads to the worst of both worlds. Like a futon. a terrible couch AND a terrible bed.
Greenspace….. Really????? Here is a great article on green space. This is a great line from the article: “Greenspace is not wilderness, it is not a yard, it is not a park. Greenspace is filler. If you find greenspace is necessary, then you are doing something wrong.”
This is part of why I think setbacks suck. We have this wasted space between the property line and the building, a space that must be maintained, most likely needs a fence- which adds costs to owning property without the benefits of a wall (with a roof over top), unless you are storing rowing shells or kayaks, its pretty useless.
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5 comments
The concept of livable spaces, cities and towns incorporate essentials such as many walkways and greenways linked together to make an area walkable. Walkability In Sidney is going to be one main keys to its livability and enjoyment. Some decisions that become essential are related to the battle between asphalt roads and more parking lots and cars versus greenways and walking. Which will become the focus of the town. Do we need to drive, find parking to go the store or will we sacrifice 10 minutes and walk. Our health would certainly favor the exercise, breathing clean air and enjoying a little nature. What will convince us to change our mindset about that quick drive to get anywhere. We of course are looking at a cultural shift by asking ourselves are we willing to make that change. How will we live?
When I read Mona’s suggestion I hear what I think is the intent, without getting to hung up on the word greenspace. A few years back, I sent to Council and Town staff some research that shows that just having a street lined in trees has an significant influence on the health of the people living on those streets. Also reduces crime and other social issues. I remember years ago when we were engaged in the process to develop the current OCP reading the consultant’s argument against the many little green spaces in neighborhoods scattered around Sidney, small parks, undeveloped grassy areas between homes, wide planted sidewalks connecting streets, etc. The proposal was to reduce these and collect the equivalent space into a single park with lots of recreational facilities. But those spaces have a real effect on the livability of these neighborhoods. And they attract wildlife that helps everyone. In many countries, like England, they have national programs to encourage people to plant gardens, practical or ornamental, for the purpose of trying to bring back more wildlife that has been lost, and the loss of which has negatively impacted local food production. Just increasing pollinators is a benefit. And living within a more natural environment has a positive impact on health and social conditions. This is not about creating wilderness, its about learning how interdependent we are with the rest of nature.
Hi Richard,I too am in favour of tree lined streets and green space. I just think that in towns, we should have dense urban areas, and outside of that have undisturbed wild areas where there isn’t farm land. We should be having clearly defined spaces. It is either wild area ( rain forest) or it is farm land or it is urban areas, and urban areas should be able to have public greenery, preferably in the street ROW. However, on private land, property owners should be able to use land as they see fit, obviously with some limits. Trying to have the best of both worlds leads to the worst of both worlds. Like a futon. a terrible couch AND a terrible bed.
Greenspace….. Really????? Here is a great article on green space. This is a great line from the article: “Greenspace is not wilderness, it is not a yard, it is not a park. Greenspace is filler. If you find greenspace is necessary, then you are doing something wrong.”
This is part of why I think setbacks suck. We have this wasted space between the property line and the building, a space that must be maintained, most likely needs a fence- which adds costs to owning property without the benefits of a wall (with a roof over top), unless you are storing rowing shells or kayaks, its pretty useless.
http://andrewalexanderprice.com/blog20150914.php#.X55DYi0ZMmo
Hi Mona, how much green space do you think is needed? Care to share of picture of what your ideal amount looks like?