waterloo-wellington scenarios complete

8/14/2019 Waterloo-Wellington Scenarios Complete

1/40

Thisisascenariowheretheregionsuniversitiesandcollegeshavebecomedisconnectedfromtheirtownsandcities,whohavelikewisebecomelesswellintegratedwitheachother.Theregionseconomyhas

stagnatedandbecomelessdiverse.ThelocaleconomyreliesontheUniversitiesandCollegesasthe

primarysourceofemploymentasglobaleconomicdeclineanddisruptivetelecommunicationstechnology

havehitmanufacturingveryhard.Highunemploymentandpovertymeansthedemandforsocialservices

ishigh.Despitestalledpopulationgrowth,thequalityandquantityofserviceprovisionislimitedbythe

lackofresourcesandthecautiousapproachofserviceproviders.Theculturalmalaiseisfeltacutelyinthe

arts,whichareseenaslessrelevantinthefaceofthesechallenges,andthusbothartistsandart

institutionsarestrugglingtosurvive.Theenvironment,includingthewatershedandthelocalfood

production,arealsoconsideredtobelessimportant.

ATownDivided

ATOWNDIVIDED

WATERLOOWELLINGTONSCENARIOS


2/40

2

ATownDividedCharacteristics

Characterisedbylocal,nationalandglobaleconomicstagnation,

combinedwithlowpopulationgrowthandlowlevelsof

populationdiversity.

Housevaluesdecrease. Urbandevelopmentstagnates. Thetaxbasereduces. Asharpdivideopensbetweentheuniversitiesandthewider

community.

Universityenrolmentincreases. Thereisahollowingoutofthemiddleoftheage

demographic.

Traffic/commutingdecreases. Largeemployersstruggleandsomefail,andtheservice

industrycontracts.

Individualcityunitsbecomemorefragmented. Delayedenvironmentalpressurecauseslesscommitmentto

addressingenvironmentalissues.

ThereisachangeinResearch&Developmentfocusattheuniversities.

Thelaidoffworkerscreatesomenewentrepreneurialactivity.

Thereispressureonconcernedcitizenstoaddresssocialproblems.

Thedelayinenvironmentalpressuresallowsmoretimeforreflectiononenvironmentalissuesandforincreased

capacitytoplanandmanageenvironmentalsystems.

Infrastructurecostsarereducedforexistinghouses. Thereisfocusonthecommongoodbecauseofcompetition

forscarceresources(socialservices,employment,funding

etc).

Socialandeconomicdeclineprovidesasourceofenquiryforartistsbutmakesthecommunitylessreceptivetothearts,

andcreatesariskierfundingenvironment.

Atrendthatpersistsintheregionis

gapsineducationalattainment.

ComparedtoOntario,theregionhas

asignificantlyhigherproportionof

personswithsecondaryeducationor

less;asimilarnumberofpersons

withacollegecertificateordiploma;

and,considerablyfewerpersonswith

universitycredentials.

WaterlooWellingtonTraining&

AdjustmentBoard,TOPReport,Jan

2009


3/40

3

WATERLOO REGION

Council approves construction of

new housing project in south end

- JANUARY 2010

Experts predict new technology will

throw telecommunications industry

into chaos

- MAY 2011

RIM SOLD; employees face

uncertain future as new

owners plan to downsize

- FEBRUARY 2012

Major breakthrough in quantumcomputing- APRIL 2013

Changes to UW intellectual

policy likely to reduce future

university-related

entrepreneurial endeavors

- NOVEMBER 2013

Job LOSSES lead to area

population decline

- SEPTEMBER 2014

Attempts to attract new residents

fail. Prospective buyers cite rising

crime, poor health care

infrastructure as obstacles

- MARCH 2016

Government

revokes A

Place to Grow

designation

- JUNE 2017

Immigration to

region continues

to decline

- APRIL 2018Economic decline results in

increased post-secondary

school applications

- MARCH 2019Local economy, housing market

relying on students -MAY 2020

RECORD

GUELPH

MERCURYHEADLINES FROM 2009 - 2020


4/40

4

A

B

20092012 20132016 20172020

Social Noexpansionortransformationofpositivecommunityidentity

Increaseinunemployment,particularlyinmanufacturingsector

Intensifieddrivebystatusquoaffectsarts,urbanplanning,andthecommunitybecomesmorerigid

Crisispointsinviolence,poverty,disease,crime,community,reputation,pride,environment,arts

Reductionsintheprovisionof

socialservices

Fewermulticulutralevents,grocers,restaurants,communitygroupsreflectdecliningculturaldiversity

Lessenedsenseofbelonging

andreinforcementofnegativestereotypes

Flightofyouthtoothercities

Growingdisconnectbetweencommunityandminorities

Policiesrestrictingimmigration

unwelcomelaws

Increasedstudentengagementinenvironmentalissues.

Generalpopulationdisconnectsfurtherfromtheincreasinglypollutedriver

Economic Newtechnologyleadstosignificantchangesintelecommunicationsindustryworldwide,andhasahugeimpactonlocalcompanies

Increaseinstartupsandcorporateentrepreneurship

Lossoflocaleconomicvitality

Increasedinterestinlocalfoodproduction

Communitylosesconfidence,Innovationbrandlost,braindrain,biggerbuildingsemptyout

Flightofcapital(humanandfinancial)

Smallerbusinessesbegintoclose

More,largerchainstoresopen

Decreaseincommunitysupportprovidedbylocalcompaniesanduniversities

Localeconomyincreasinglyunstableasitreliesonthelowincome,transientstudentmarket

Environmental Sewagetreatmentandotherenvironmentalinfrastructureprojectsaredelayed

Ecosystemresilencedecreasesaffectingwatershedcapacity,health/populationofanimalspecies

Lackoffundsdelayretrofittingprojects

Environmentalproblemsplateautemporarilybutdonotimprove.Thisallowsforashifttowardsproactiveplanningofenvironmentalservices/polices

Universityfocusesmoreresourcesonenvironmentalstudiesinresponsetocrisis


5/40

5

ATownDivided

Waterloo,September2020

Asclassends,Cindyclosesherlaptopandleavesthelecturehall,herprogresshamperedbythe500otherstudents

inthecourse,studentsfromallovertheworld.

"Isn'thegreat?"saysaguy,smilingather.

Shesmilesback."Yeah.He'soneofthereasonsIcame

here.Hehasaterrificreputation,notjustasaprof,he'sdone

someamazingresearch."

"I'mAlbieTarn,"theboysays,extendinghishand.

Sheshakesit."Cindy."

"Whereareyoufrom?"Albieasksastheypassthrough

thebottleneckofthelecturehalldoorsandoutintothe

hallway.

"Here.Waterloo,"shesays.

"Really?Wow.Ididn'tthink"hecatcheshimself."I'm

fromVancouver."

"I'veheardit'sbeautifuloutthere."Sheknowswhathe

didn'tsay.WhileUWisbooming,especiallysinceitjoinedup

withGuelphandLaurier,andestablishedthesatellitecampus

inCambridge,Waterlooitselfisnotveryexciting.It'schanged

inthepasttenyears.Duringtheglobaleconomiccrisis,

businessesandindustriescollapsedworldwide,andthispartof

southwesternOntariowashitprettyhard.It'soneofthe

reasonsshe'sstudyingeconomics:totrytounderstandwhat

happened.

"I'vegottogo,"shesays,"seeyouThursday."She's

meetingherboyfriendJasonforlunchatthenewcafon

campus.YesterdayshesawthesignadvertisingTuesdayas

LebaneseDay.Therearefewdecentrestaurantsintown

anymoreandJasonlovesMiddleEasternfood.

Sheskipsdownthewidestonestepsandacrossthe

Weneedtobreakdownthesebarriersthatlimitourabilityto

thinkcreativelyandwork

together.

ScenarioParticpant


6/40

6

browngrass.Therehasn'tbeenalotofrain

and,withthewatershortage,theydon't

usesprinklersevenhere,whereeverything

seemssoopulent.Shestillcan'tgetover

thedifferencebetweenthecampus,anyof

thelocaluniversitycampusesactually,and

thetown.Someoneispouringmoneyinto

theseacademicinstitutionsandthey

sparkle.Thenewbuildingsareallstateof

theartandthearchitectureispretty

amazing,althoughthereislessgreenspace

roundcampusthanthereusedtobe.And

it'shardlysutainabledesign.Butthe

resourcesavailabletothestudentsandthe

qualityofteachingaretopnotch,asare

theotherstudents.It'slikeanotherworld.

Ifonlysomeofthatmoneywentto

thetownitself.Withbusinessesclosingand

peoplerelocatinginsearchofwork,the

taxbaseisdiminished.Andthere'snonew

investmentintheregion.Theuniversityhas

becomemoreconservative,protectingits

own.Itusedtoseizeopportunitiestoform

businesspartnershipswithcommunity

entrepreneurs,butthesedaysnoone

wantstotakerisks.Assoonasshe

graduates,she'llbeleavingWaterlootoo.

Jasononlystaysbecauseofher,butshe

suspectshe'llsoonfollowinhisparents'

footstepsandmovetoToronto.Ifonlythe

electricianheworkedforhadn'tmoved

awaybeforeJasonfinishedhis

apprenticeship.IfonlyUWoffered

scholarshipsforlocals,ortookaninterest

inthecommunity.Theyoungpeoplewho

choosetostayinWaterloohavesuchlimitedopportunities.Theyworkinbars

andrestaurants,garagesandcornerstores

untiltheycansaveenoughmoneytoleave

forToronto,oruntiltheytakeoverfailing

familybusinesses.Someofherclose

friendsfromhighschoolarestuckinthis

predicament.Shefeelsforthem.

Sheflipsopenhercellphone,but

there'snomessage.It'spastoneo'clock.

She'slate.Shehurriestowardsthegates.

NosignofJason.Oneoftheelectricinter

universityvansglidesby,headedforthe

Guelphcampus.

Sheapproachesthesecurityguard.

"Hi.I'msupposedtomeetmyboyfriend

here.Handsomeblondguy."Shesmiles.

"Haveyouseenhim?"

Theguardsmilesback."Can'tsayI

have.Whatfaculty?"

"Oh,he'snotastudent.Helivesin

town."

"Youfromhere?"

"Yes."

"Metoo.Ijuststartedworkherea

fewweeksago.Prettygooddeal."

Cindynods.Theuniversitiespay

wellandtheyaretheonlyreallybig

employersintownnow.Tyemandthe

college."That'sgreat."Scanningthestreet

outsidethegates,shespotsJasonleaning

againstatelephonepole."Thereheis!"

Shenodstothesecurityguard,flashesher

passbythesensorandstridesoutthegate.

Jasondoesn'tseeherrightaway.He'sstaringatagroupofstudentswaiting

bythevanpickup.It'sfunnyhoweasyitis

todistinguishUWstudentsfromlocals.

Theydon'tdressverydifferently,but

theressomething.They'realsomore

culturallydiverse,lotsofdifferent


7/40

7

ethnicities,whereWaterlooisprettywhite.Whiteandpoor.

AsCindycrossesthestreet,Jasonturnsherway.

Shetucksherarmthroughhisandkisseshimonthe

cheek."Hey."

"You'relate,"hesays.

Shecan'ttellifhe'sjokingornot."Yeah.Sorry.Class

endedlate."

"Nobigdeal."Hesoundsabitpissedoff.

"So,youupforsomeLebanese?"sheasks.

"Notreally.Let'sgosomewhereelse."

"TheBomber?"Thefood'scheapthereandlasttime

theyhadagoodtime.

"No.Likeoffcampus."

Shestaresathim.He'sstillwatchingthestudents.

"Okay,sure.Letsgo.I'mstarved.AndIhavetobebackfor

classby2:30."

TheywalkeastonColumbia.There'ssomefastfood

placesnearKingStreet,thoughshe'sheardacoupleofthem

closeddown.Jasonstayssilent.

"What'sup?"sheasks."Ithoughtyouwantedmiddle

easternfood?"

"Yeah.Ijustdon'twanttoeatoncampus.Itbugsme

thatyouhavetosignmein,likeI'masecondclasscitizen."

Shechewsherlip.It'sawkwardforher,beingastudent

andalocal,straddlingbothworlds.Sometimesshe'snotsure

shebelongstoeither.Shelikeshercoursesandabsolutely

lovesthefeelingthatshe'sonapositivetrajectory,thatshe'll

getherdegreeandbeabletomakesomethingofherlife.But

she'suncomfortablewiththedividebetweenthetownandthe

university.Shesuspectsalotoflocalsfeellikesecondclass

Itsnotaboutgettingeverykid

touniversitybutitisabout

engagingeveryoneinan

educationthatsgoingtoleadsomewhere.Thedealhasto

includeeveryone.

ScenarioParticipant


8/40

8

citizensintheirhometown.Itbugshertoo.

Shechangesthesubject."Anyluck

withthejobsearch?"

Helaughswithouthumour."You

gottabekidding.Noone'shiring,noteven

therestaurants."

"Whataboutattheuniversity?Did

youfollowuponthatopeninginFood

Services?"Thesecurityguardwasright.

UWpayswell,andifJasonworkedon

campus,he'dhavehisownpass.

Jasonshakeshishead."No.Idon'tthinkthatwouldwork.Iknowit'sdecent

workbutIdon'tthinkIcouldhandlebeing

oncampus,watchingtheeliteenjoying

themselves,havingtoservethem."

Shenods.Stupidofhertosuggest

it.

Theywalkon,movingeast,away

fromthecampus.Theypassanapartment

buildingwithacoupleofbrokenwindows,

aclosedstorefront.Garbageoverflows

frombins.Withfewerpeoplepayingtaxes,

therearefewerservices.Intheory,this

shouldbeokay,becauseofthepopulation

decline,butithasn'tquiteworkedoutthat

way.ThepeoplewhoremaininWaterloo

havesolittlemoney.Theyneedhelp,but

there'snoonetosupportthem.

ItdepressesCindy.Waterlooused

tobelivelier.Peopleworkedhardandthemunicipalleadersmadedecisionsthat

helpedpreserveculturaldiversityandthe

environment.Thensomeofthebig

companiesrelocatedtheirheadquartersor

downsizedtheiroperations,likeRIM,

whichusedtoemploynotjuststudents,

buttoppeoplefromaroundtheworld,

peoplewithinnovativeideas.Therearestill

someinnovatorsonfacultybutthe

universityislessandlessconnectedtothe

community.Arealivorytower.Andthe

sameseemstobetrueinGuelph,

Cambridge,somanyofthetownsaround

here.Maybeshecanhelpchangethat

someday.Rightnow,shejustwantstohelp

Jason.

"Iheardtherewassometroublelast

night,neartheONeils,"hesays.

"Yeah?"ONeilsisapubcloseto

Kitchener."Whatkindoftrouble?"

"RememberDanGeorge?"

Shenods.Danwasafootballplayer

attheirhighschool.

"Well,soundslikehepickedafight

withsomestudents.Notsurewhatthey

weredoingdownthere"

Shelooksathim."Theyhaveas

muchrighttogothereaswedo."

Heshrugs."Yeah.Justnotsurewhy

they'dwantto,whenthey'vegotfancy

pubsoncampus."

"Jason!Wouldyoubehappierifkids

atUWhadabsolutelynothingtodowith

peoplefromtown?Isn'titbadenoughthat

thereissolittlemingling?"

"Sorry.You'reright.I'msorry."He

halfsmilesather,hisguiltylook.

Shehugshim."It'sokay."Theykeep

walking.There'saTimHorton'supahead,


9/40

9

notmuchelsearound.Cindyglancesatherwatch:it'salmost

1:30."YouwannagrabasandwichatTim's?I'mgoingtohave

togetbacksoon."

"Sure."

Acoupleofstudentspassthemonthestreet.

"Ican'tgetoverhowdeadthisplaceis,"murmursone.

"Yeah.ImissOttawa.NeverthoughtI'dsaythat!"

respondstheother.

CindyandJasonglanceateachother.TheyenterTim's

andordersandwiches.Whenthefood'sready,theyfinda

table.Thereareonlyacoupleofpeopleinhere,drinkingcoffee.

"SowhathappenedwithDan?"asksCindy

"Notmuch.Hewasdrunk,belligerent"

"Nothingnew."

"Yeah,"saysJason."Anyway,hethrewacoupleof

punches,gotwhathedeservedandthestudentssplit.Nobig

deal.Ijusthopeitdoesn'tmakemattersworse."

Cindyknowswhathemeans.Rightnow,mostofthe

universitystudentshardlythinkaboutthetownatall.It'sjust

aplacewheretheygotoschool.Eveniftheyliveintown,they

leadtheirlivesoncampus.Theirfriendsareallstudents.They

havenoideawhatit'slikeforthelocalresidents,losingtheir

jobs,feelingsohopeless,andyes,jealousoftheseprivileged

kidswithsomanyoptions.Butiftheystartgettingangryas

well,thewholesituationcouldgetprettyugly.

"IthinkI'mgoingtohavetogetoutofhere,Cindy,"

saysJason,staringintohiscoffee."It'sdrivingmecrazy."

Shenods,feelingaholeopenupinside.Hewasgoing

tostayhere,hangoutwhileshefinisheduniversity,butit'sno

good.There'snoworkforhimandshecanfeelhimgrowing


10/40


11/40

This is the scenario ofa bedroomcommunitywhere largenumbersofpeople live in the region but

commutetoworkelsewhere.Despitelocaleconomicdecline,thesecommutersareservedbygoodlocal

andinterregionalmasstransit,whichattractspeopletotheregionandincreasesthesizeanddiversityof

thepopulation.Peoplefeellittleconnectiontothecommunitiesinwhichtheylivehowever,asthecities

andtownshavenotadaptedtothesechanges.Communityparticipationandinterestinlocalpoliticsis

low,asisthequalityofsocialserviceprovision,whichispoorlydirected.Thereislittlesenseofregional

identity as the identityof individual townsand cities have been submerged by suburbangrowth and

proximitytoToronto.

BedroomCommunity

BEDROOMCOMMUNITY



12/40

2

BedroomCommunityCharacteristics

Characterisedbyeconomicstagnationandrapid,diverse

populationgrowth.

DevelopmentleadstoCambridge,Kitchener,WaterlooandGuelphmergingintoonesinglecommunity.

Therearefewerlargeemployers,withgrowingunemploymentstrainingunemploymentinsuranceand

welfare.

Transientreductionsinlocaltaxrevenuesleadtoreductionsintheprovisionofpublicservices.

Thereissomenewentrepreneurialactivity. Thelocaleconomybecomesreliantonservice,retailand

constructionindustries.

Trafficandcommutingbothgrowandthecommutergrowthforcesdevelopmentofbetterpublictransitsystems.

CompetitionforjobsdiminishesdiversityintheworkplaceaslocalemployersarelesslikelytoemployNewCanadians.

Thewealthgapgrows. Therevitalizationofthecitycoresstops. Theagedemographicbecomesolder. Healthservicesareunderstresscausingwaittimesto

increase,publichealthtogetworse,andmedicalrecruitment

tosuffer.

Thereisreducedinterestinlocalelections. Theenvironmentsuffers. ThereisachangeinResearch&Developmentfocusinthe

universities.

Thereispressureonconcernedcitizenstoaddresssocialproblems.

Commutingtimeinparticulardiminishesthesenseofcommunity,whichimpactsartsandculture.

Theartsandculturearelesscollaborativeandoperateinanincreasinglycompetitivefundingenvironment.

Theartscommunityareghettoisedandlessabletoretainorrecruitnewmembers.

Fromanindividual,personal

perspective,KitchenerWaterloo,

CambridgeandGuelphareinter

connected;youdontreallyhavethatstrongsensethatyoureleaving

Guelphandthentravellingand

endingupinCambridge.Ifpeople

dontrealisethat,theymissthe

opportunityforthesetypesof

experientialconnections.Itcouldbe

areallyrichcollaboration.

ScenarioParticipant


13/40

3

WATERLOO REGION

RECORD

GUELPH

MERCURY

HEADLINES FROM 2009 - 2020Council approves construction of

new housing south of Kitchener

- JANUARY 2010

Unemployment higher than

Provincial average

- APRIL 2011

Public demands more GO

Buses, Guelph, KW, Toronto

- MARCH 2012

Councillor blames deficit for

restrictions in local services -

SEPTEMBER 2014

Top cop fears increase in

gang violence

- MARCH 2016

Water group opposes

new development

- OCTOBER 2017

Housing shortage forgrowing population

- JULY2019

Election turnoutlowest ever -

NOVEMBER 2020


14/40

4

A

B

20092012 20132016 20172020

Social Noexpansionortransformationofpositivecommunityidentity

Intensivedrivebystatusquoaffectsarts,urbanplanningetc,asthecommunityleadersbecomemorerigid

Crisispointsinviolence,poverty,disease,crime,community,reputation,pride

Noadaptivesocialservices,whichleadstocrisis,vulnerability,violence,dropouts

Nosenseofbelongingandreinforcementofnegativestereotypes

Policiesrestrictingimmigration

unwelcomelaws

EconomicNewtechnologyleadsto

significantchangesin

telecommunications

industryworldwide,and

hasahugeimpactonlocal

companies

Lossofeconomicvitality,particularlyinthelocalfoodeconomy(lossofurban/ruralcohesion)

Localunemploymentincreasespovertyfornewimmigrants,thereismoreeconomicdisparityandgreaterdemandonresources

Flightofkeycapital(humanandfinancial)

Communitylosesconfidence,Innovationbrandlost

Decreaseincommunitysupportprovidedbylocalcompaniesanduniversities

Significanterosionofthetaxbase

Environmental Watercrisis

Sewageprocessingproblem

Drasticwaterrationingforhomeandindustry.Agricultureaffectedbydrought:lowermeatproductionandcropyields

Healthproblemsrelatedtoworseningair/waterresources

Increasedpressurefornewhousingdevelopments

Reductioningreenspaceinthecities(parks,recreationalfields)andoutsidethem(agriculturalland,protectedareas).

Lackofaccesstogreenspaceimpactingqualityoflife


15/40

5

LongWayHome

WaterlooRegion,October2020

At1:30intheafternoon,anannouncementinterruptedNathalie'stourofJarvisCollegiateInstitute,thefourthToronto

secondaryschoolshe'dvisitedthatday.

"Superintendent Wlodarska, please contact the main

office right away. Superintendent `Wlodarska,please contact

themainoffice."

Sheturnedtotheprincipal."I'msorry.I'dbetterfind

outwhat'sup.Probablysomeirateparent."

The principal, a young man new to the job and no

doubteager toimpressher,nodded,but she couldsensehis

disappointment."Ofcourse."

They retraced their steps to the office. The secretary

disentangledherselffromagroupofstudentswithpinkslipsin

their hands. "My apologies, Superintendent, your admin

assistant just called to say there's an urgent message from

yourson'sschool."

Nathalie tensed. "Thank you. Is there a phone I canuse?"Hercellphonedidn'tworkinsidetheschool.

Theprincipal said,"Usemyoffice."Heusheredher in

andleft,closingthedoorbehindhim.

She dialed the number quickly. She'd made the call

more times than she liked to remember in the past year.

"JacobKlein,please.It'sNathalieWlodarska."

Afterabriefpause,Jacob,theprincipalofTom'sschool,

cameon."Nathalie,I'msorrytobotheryou"

Shecuthimoff,heranxietyrising."What'sup,Jacob?"

"TherewasanincidentwithTomatlunchtime.Heleft

theschoolandhasn'treturned.Ithoughtyoushouldknow."

Istillhavesomefeelingsof

isolation.Thehugefamily

connectionsarenothere,theyrenotautomaticsoyou

havetobuildthem(atchurchor

intheneighbourhood),andyou

wantthoserelationshipsfor

yourchildren.

ScenarioParticipant

Iremembernoticingthat

theresneveranybodyofcolour

inmykidsswimmingclasses.

Never.SoIaskedwhy?One

reasonisbecausetherearenosinglegendersessionsinthe

pool,andtheresnoprivacyin

thechangerooms.Thisisa

questionaboutwhetherwetruly

honourothercultures.

ScenarioParticipant


16/40

6

Assheposedthenextquestion,she

reviewedthe rapidtransit schedule inher

head.If shehurried, shecouldcatchaGO

train to GCKW in half an hour. "What

happened?"

"I'm investigating right now, but it

seems Tom got into an argument with a

couple of girls outside the school, said

some inappropriate things. One of them

reactedbadly,herboyfriendgotinvolved

"

"Wasthereafight?"Itwouldn'tbe

uncommon.Tomhadbeendiagnosedwith

ADHDseveralyearsagoandhadbeeninaspecial behavioural class for eighteen

months prior to entering high school. He

had anger management problems and of

late, had shown signs of depression. The

highschool'sresourceswerestretched,and

inNathalie'sview,Tomwasnotgettingthe

attention he needed, but she understood

theschoolboard'slimitations.

"A few punches thrown on both

sides.Thenacrowdgathered.I'mafraidit

sounds like they turned on Tom. He took

off."

"In what direction?" If he'd gone

home, she could call, reassure him and

finish her tour here. It would be hard to

rearrange, given her hectic schedule, and

shehadaresponsibilitytovisiteachofthe

schoolsshesupervisedtwiceperterm.

"We're not sure. He headed east,

butnoonereallypaidattentionandbythe

timeIheardaboutit,he'ddisappeared."

"Thanks,Jacob.I'lltrytoreachhim.

If I can't, I'll be on my way immediately.

OnceI'moutofthebuilding,youcanreach

meonmycell.Youhavethenumber?"

"Yes.We'llcallifwehearanything.

Andpleaseletusknowifyoulocatehim."

"I will." She rang off, then dialed

home.Afterfourrings,shegotvoicemail.

She hurried out, apologizing to the

principalassheleft."I'llgetDonnatobook

anothervisit."

She hailed a cab outside. It took

fortyminutestoreachtheGOstation,forty

minutesforhertocurseTom'sschooland

the job that took her so far from thesuburban sprawl where she lived. She

should havemoved toTorontowhenher

husband died. The schools here had

superior resources to deal with special

needsstudents,especiallyatthesecondary

level, and Tom could have had the

supportsheneeded. In Toronto, itwould

alsobeeasiertoobtaindecentfood,fresh

organic produce. Such produce was

increasingly scarce in GCKW, and she'd

recently read a study suggesting the

chemicals in commercial produce and

processed foods might well exacerbate

Tom's condition. Yes, she should have

movedtoToronto.Butrightafterhisfather

died, she'd thought consistencywouldbe

goodforTom.Wrong,wrong,wrong.

At3:00, she boarded the GO train

to the suburban sprawl which included

Guelph, Cambridge and KitchenerWaterloo.Thefourcitieshadamalgamated

eightyearsagointoGCKW,theacronymas

anonymousasthecommunity'scharacter.

As the trainsilently spedwest,she gazed

gloomily out the window. The only

noticeable change leaving Toronto was


17/40

7

thattherewerefewernewbuilding,fewercompanylogos,less

signofeconomicprosperity.Itnolongerfeltlikeleavingacity

for the country.The fields that remainedheldno lushcrops.

Thefamilyfarmshaddisappearedorstoodvacantandderelict.

She shook her head, depressed by how quickly things had

changed when the economy of the region plummeted. So

manymajorcompanieshadmovedtheirheadquartersoutof

GCKW.Eachofthefourcitieshadsuffered,butthepopulation

had continued to grow. It was one of the largest bedroom

communities in North America, miles of dwellings,

interspersed with a few small businesses, mostly service

industry, schools, a couple of hospitals, insufficient for the

population, and of course the universities, enclaves of

privilegedlearning.

She tried calling Tom again, with no luck. Then shecalledhistwoclosestfriends,withthesameresult.Voicemail.

Nodoubt theirparentsworked elsewhere too and the boys

would not be home from school yet. Her anxiety mounted.

TheyshouldmovetoToronto. Itwasn'tdoingTomanygood

staying inGCKW, eating garbage out ofmachines at school,

gettingintofights.InTorontohecouldgotoabetterequipped

school. And she wouldn'tbe so far away. Even if housing in

Torontoproperwasvirtuallyunaffordable.She'djusthaveto

findaway.

ThetrainpassedthroughlittleVienna,anareaonthe

east edge of Cambridge populated largely by people of

Europeanextraction.Thehousesweresmallandneat,butall

toosimilar:anoldstylekeepupwiththeJonesescommunity.

Stillitwascheerfulcomparedtothedowntownghettos,which

housed the growing populationsofpoor immigrants. One of

thefalloutsoflosingsomanythrivingbusinesseswasthatthe

vibrantmulticulturalismhadfragmented.Thewealthylivedin

discrete suburban enclaves and instead of mingling and

celebrating their diversity, the ethnic communities had

becomemore isolated, each taking care of theirown, or, inmanycases,failingtodoso.

Severalyearsagopoliticalcandidateshadcampaigned

onpromises tomakeGCKWasamodelofculturaldiversity.

Nownooneseemedtocare.Voterturnoutatthelastelection

had been pathetic, and no wonder, the candidates' visions

TheCountrySidelineis

supposedtoaboundaryasreal

asthecoastline,butsubdivision

buildersbuildwideroadsthat

leadsomewhereandcreatetheexpectationofmoregrowth.

ScenarioParticipant

Theresalotofevidencethat

kidswhoarentexposedtonatureareexperiencing

psychologicalandmedical

problemsitscalledNature

DeficitDisorder.

ScenarioParticipant


18/40

8

were narrow, pinched, just like the

economy.Thebiggestissuewasthelackof

resourcestodealwiththeoverpopulation.

The best and brightest from the area, as

wellasalltheuniversitygraduates,moved

elsewhere. The arts suffered. Local

theatresandgalleriesshutdownandmany

members of the oncethriving creative

community relocated. It was difficult to

attract doctors; wait times at hospitals

wereappalling.She knewtoowell. Ithad

taken months to get Tom diagnosed and

they were still waiting for him to see

psychologist. She had to move. No

question.

The trainwas passing through the

derelict downtown of old Cambridge. It

being a hot day, people were on the

streets,meandering andchatting, a rough

lot, downatheels, a mix of white, black

and Asian. Most of them probably

unemployed. Rumor had it this had

becomesomethingofacriminalhotbed.

Catching sight of a familiar figure,

she caught her breath. Was that really

Tom,miles from home?Themopof dark

air,tallhunchedformandblack,oversized

Tshirtconvincedher.Sheroseunsteadily.

The next stop was only a few minutes

away, but her car was at the South

Kitchener station and she needed it. She

stood twisting her hands together as the

trainracedonwardandTom,ifitreallywas

Tom,fadedintothedistance.

She rode the train to her station,rushed off and leapt into her car.

Fortunately traffic was light. Most people

used the excellent transit system in the

area.Normallyshedidtoo,butshe'dbeen

latethismorningandnow,itseemed,she

waslateagain.

She tried calling home again,

knowing itwasuseless.He couldnothave

gothomethatquickly.Shemaneuveredher

way onto King Street and headed south

towards Cambridge, passing unfamiliar

streets, rundown houses, unchaperoned

children. Finally she reached the place

where she'd seen Tom. She drove up and

down,thenbroadened the areaofsearch.

Nosignofhim.Her head throbbedasshe

drove on, aimlessly. She called the school

again, but they'd heard nothing. Heading

back north on King Street, she passed

through the disintegrating cores of

Kitchener and Waterloo. Pausing inConestogaMall's desertedparking lot, she

dialedthepolice.Asexpected,theytoldher

theycouldn'tspareanyofficerstolookfora

boy who had only been missing a few

hours. Hewas a teenager, right? Probably

hanging out with friends, they said.When

shepersisted, the sergeanttoldhertocall

back if she hadn't found him by morning.

He couldnt promise anything, their

caseloadswere backed up, but they could

put out a call if anyone sawhim. But not

untiltomorrow.

As dusk fell, she headed towards

home.Ithadbeenyearssinceshe'ddriven

through so much of the city and it

depressed her immeasurably: too many

peopledoingnothing,inalmosteveryarea.

Andsofewgreenspaces;itwasanendless

concrete jungle.At leastuntil she reached

the neighbourhood where she now lived.They'd moved from the friendly Polish

enclaveinnorthKitchenerwhereTomhad

been born, when she took the job in

Toronto. Their old neighborhood had

started going downhill and with her new

salary, they'd been able toafford a larger


19/40

9

house,withayard,inNewDoon,oneofthewealthierpartsof

GCKW.Sometimesshemissedtheoldhouse,andthegarden

whereshe'dgrownherowntomatoes,whenwaterwasn'tin

suchlimitedsupply.Certainlyshemissedthewarmthofthat

little community, the evenings sitting on porches, the

backyardgettogethers.Shebarelyknewherneighboursnow.

Nolightsshowedinthehouse,butthefrontdoorwas

unlocked. She paused in the front hall. "Tom?" she called

hopefully.

Noanswer.He'dprobably forgotten to lockthe door

whenheleftin themorning.She'dgivehimhellaboutthat,

whenshefoundhim.

Sheheardasoundfromupstairs;herheartsqueezedtight."Tom?"Sheranupthestairsandintohisroom,buthe

wasn't there. Then she heard a crash from the bathroom,

skitteredacrossthehallandflippedthelightswitch.

Tomslumpedonthefloor,hiseyesclosed,something

athisside,somethingshecouldn'tcompute:asyringe.

"Tom!"Shekneltbyhim,herhandsshaking."Tom,oh

Tom,areyouallright?"

His eyes fluttered open for a second, then he

shuddered.

"Jesus, Jesus." She stabbed911 onher cell phone. "I

need an ambulance. Immediately. My son's unconscious

Halfanhour?That'stoolong.Can'tyoucomefaster?...Idon't

know,maybe a drug overdose. Please, please hurry!" She

spitoutheraddress,thenbroketheconnection.

Shesatonthetiledfloor,cradledinhisheadinherlap,

andwaited.

Ihaveabeautifulwebof

friendsandfamily,andeveryone

shouldhavethatitscrucial.

ScenarioParticipant


20/40

By2020thereisgreaterinterestintheenvironment,andacultureofenvironmentalstewardship

throughouttheregion.Traditionalbusinessesandindustrieshaveadoptedsustainablepractices,new

industriesareevolvingtomeetthedemandforcleaner,greenerproductsandservices,protectedareasof

greenspacearoundthecitiesrestricturbandevelopment,andacommitmenttoandknowledgeofthe

environmentisencouragedinlocalschools.Asaresult,thelocalfoodeconomyisthrivingandsupportsa

strongconnectionbetweencitiesandruraltowns.Withinthecities,thereareagrowingnumberofwell

used,multipurposegreenspacesthatarewellconnectedtoeachotherbypublictransit.Thetwin

challengesofenvironmentalresourcedepletionandtheneedtoattractnewanddiversepeopletothe

regionhavegalvanisedthecommunity,andincreasedparticipationinpubliclife.

GreenTowers

GREENTOWERS



21/40

2

GreenTowersCharacteristics

Characterisedbylowpopulationgrowthcombinedwitheconomic

vibrancy

Thereareresourcelimits,especiallywater. Greenindustriesbuildontheexistingstrengthsof

communitiesinregion(hightech/software,newindustrial

technologieslikewatertreatmentandformsofagribusiness).

Thelocalfoodeconomyisverystrong. Localindustriespursuelowcarbonfootprint

policies/technology.

Economicdiversityisincreasing(includingalternativeeconomieslikeCommunitySupportedAgriculture),utilising

arts/cultureforgrowth.

Thereisaccessbyfoot/cycletogreenspacesandlocalservices Thereisgoodlocaltransitwithincentivestolivein

walking/transitdistancetowork.

Minimalism(lowerconsumption)ismorecommoncarriedonfromexperiencesduringyoungadulthood.

Thereareanumberofcommongreenspacesthataremultipurposeandproductive(pickyourown,conversationetc).

Plannersexercisegreenplanningpractices(greenindustrialparks,lowerimpactsuburbandesign,regulationbasedon

inclusionoflongtermenvironmentalcosts).

Theartsanddesignplayaroleindecisionmakingbodies(governmental,industry).

Thereisurbanintensification. Thereisvisionaryleadershipandaction(ratherthanthe

dangerofleadersmaintainingthestatusquo).

Urbangardeningiscommon. Viablelocalfoodsystems,whichincludecarboncostsinfood

costs,provideaffordablefoodandsupportlocalagriculture.

Weneedtonoticealltheecologies

werelivingandworkingin.That

includestheecologyofhouses,and

cities.ScenarioParticipant


22/40


23/40

4

WATERLOO REGION

RECORD

GUELPH

MERCURY

HEADLINES FROM 2009 - 2020Feds provide Toyota with incentive

money for green technologies

- DECEMBER 2009

Increased Traffic Exhaust andcommon agricultural herbicide

linked to cancer spike in K-W -

JULY 2010

Storm devastates Guelph

area. Flooding river causes

sewers to overflow. Water

declared UNSAFE

-August 2011

Province announces tax breaks for

backyard food growers

- OCTOBER 2011

Organic farmersapplaud tax

incentives

- MARCH 2012

Province of Ontariointroduces carbon

tax on Big Business

- MAY 2013

GM opens electric car plant at

Guelph site; 1600 new jobs

-JULY 2014

Guelph backyard food sharingprogram expands throughoutWaterloo Region - SEPTEMBER 2015

Five-year Region-wide commuter

bike network officially launched at

RIM Park - AUGUST2016

High hydro rates are

forcing RIM to

leave the region -

MAY2017

Region approvesagriculturalgreen beltaround KW

Region-

JANUARY2018

Report indicates 3,000 fewer

commuter cars on Regions

roads -NOVEMBER 2018

Guelph Organic Restaurant

Association (GORA) celebrates five

years of ground-breaking food

tourism program - MARCH 2020


24/40

5

A

B

20092012 20132016 20172020

Social Education/awarenessbuildingaboutculturalinclusionandcriticalengagement

Reciprocityofcitizenexperience/participationlocalandglobal

Policiesshiftrecognitionofinternationaleducation,immigration,employmentinclusiveandrelevant

Increaseinnumber,dependability,levelofcommunicationandadaptabilityofsocialservices

Increasedopportunityforyouthleadership,expandedskilldevelopment,culturalunderstandandsharedspaces

PermeableIdentityAppreciationandrecognitionofnecessityofCDtobuildvibrantandresilientcommunityDifferentandequal

Economic Significantdisruptionintheeconomy,particularlyforthelargebusinesseslocatedlocally,freesalargenumberofcreativeemployees

Moresustainabilitypracticesandbusinessesthatcapitalizeondemandforgreentechnology

Increasedconnectivity(socialnetworking,masstransit,urban/ruraletc)

Emergenceofcommunitybasedandspinoffindustries,rechannelingofentrepreneurialactivity

Increaseinthenumberoflocaleconomies(CommunitySupportedAgricultureetc)

Theeconomyisgrowingwithlessenvironmentalimpact

Environmental Educationchangingsattitudesaboutresourceuse

Goalsandtargetssettoincreasegreenspace

Creationofincentivestoattractgreenindustryandconvertmatureindustrytogreentechnology/practices

Startingtoplanttreestoincreasetreecover Supportforlocalfoodinitiatives Increasesintheamountoffoodgrownandconsumedlocally


25/40

6

GreenTowers

Guelph,June2020

VishalhelpedGrandfatherintothepassengerseatofhisGMElexCompact.Sunlightdancedonthelushgreenofthe

parkoppositethestationandagentlebreezeruffledVishal's

hair.

Theoldman'sfacewassetinadeepfrownof

disapproval."Youexpectmetofoldmyselfinhalftogetinto

thisthing?Whydon'tyouhaveapropercar,Vishal?People

willthinkyouaretoopoor.Don'tyoumakeenoughmoneyas

awhatdoyoucallitendiroengineer?"

"Enviroengineer,Grandfather,"Vishalheldtheold

man'sarmashemaneuveredhimselfintotheseat.

Grandfatherseemedtohaveshrunk;hefitquitecomfortably.

Vishalgotbehindthewheelandstartedthemotor,which

barelymadeasound."Thisisapropercar,Grandfather.It's

electric,energyefficient,nonpolluting.Seehowquietitis?"

"It'stooquiet,"grumbledgrandfather,"doesn'tfeellike

acaratall."Hepeeredoutthewindow."Infactthiswhole

townistooquiet.Idon'tknowwhyyouwanttoliveinaplace

wherethewaterisn'tsafe.YoushouldcomeliveinToronto.That'salivelycity,nohealthproblems,lotsofactionfora

youngman.AndplentyofIndiangirlstoo."

Vishalsighed.Likemanyothers,Grandfatherwould

alwaysassociateGuelphwithwaterproblems.In2011a

ferociousstormhadstruckthearea,pouringdownsomuch

rainthatthestormsewersoverflowedandcontaminatedthe

water.Adozenpeopledied.Ayearlaterareportcameout

linkingtheuseofherbicideswithhighlevelsofcancerinthe

area.Itwashardfortheregionbuttheseeventshad

galvanizedcommunityleaders,whodecidedtocarefully

managethecity'sgrowthuntiltheconsequencescouldbe

dealtwithandlongtermplanningputinplace.Almostten

yearslater,althoughthecityhadnotbeentransformed,itwas

wellonthewaytobecomingatrulygreencommunity.

Inthecourseoftheday,Vishalhopedtopersuadehis

Itsliketheriversbeing

ignored,andbyignoringtheriveryourealsoignoringany

problems,whichtheredefinitely

are.

ScenarioParticipant

HOWarewetogrow?Guelph

doesnothavethewatersupply

orwasteandsewagecapacityto

sustainsuchhugegrowth.Our

community's"natural

constraints"liketheriversand

groundwaterwillrestrictsuch

expansion.

GrowingQuestionsAbout

Growth,GuelphMecury,

November2007


26/40


27/40

8

ofthecity?"Grandfatherasked.

"It'sownedbytheUniversity.Theyuseitasagreen

classroomforareastudents,"saidVishal."Soonafterthe

flood,enrolmentattheneighborhoodschooldroppedsolow

theSchoolBoardcloseditandmovedthechildrentoanother

school.Butpeoplearoundheremissedthechildren.Thenthe

AgricultureCollegeproducedastudyemphasizingthebenefits

ofearlyagriculturaleducationforyoungpeopleandforour

future,andtheUniversitydecidedtofundthisproject,asan

experiment.Agroupofcommunityvolunteersfixedupthat

oldbarnandstudentsfromtheUniversitypreparedthe

gardens.NowmostoftheschoolsinGuelphbringtheir

studentshereforhalfadayeverycoupleofweeks.Thekids

tendthegardensandlearnaboutagricultureandsustainable

practices.Itseemsprettypopular."

"Hmmm.It'saniceplaceforkids."Grandfather'svoice

soundedabitshaky.

"Comeon,"saidVishal,"Letmetakeyouinside.Thisis

whereIwork."

Theyenteredthetallbuildingandforthenexttwo

hours,Vishalfirstledandthen,aftersomeheatedargument

whenhenoticedGrandfatherlookingpale,pushedhimaround

inawheelchair.

"Thisisallabigfake,"Grandfathersputteredatthe

beginning."Youcan'thaveanindoorfarm,afarminabuilding.

It'sunnatural."

Vishalsmiled."You'rerightandnotsoright.They'reall

naturalprocesses,althoughwehaven'tyetperfectedthem.

Weraisepigshereandtheirmanuredropsdowntothenext

levelandfertilizesmushroomsthere.It'salsousedinthe

greenhouses.Thegraingrownfeedsthechickensoverthere,someforeating,someforlayingeggs.There'sverylittlewaste

andtheentirebuildingispoweredbywind"

"Thatthingthere?Itlookslikesomethingfromaspace

film.Thebladesaresothin,howcanitgeneratepower?"But

Grandfatherpeereddownatthecluckingchickensand

Peopleonlysee2typesof

farmingorganicfarmsrunby

MomandDad,andfactory

farms.Therearelotsinbetween

butifconsumersshoutabout

onemorethantheother,famers

willlisten.

ScenarioPartcipant

Theresalotofevidencethat

kidswhoarentexposedto

natureareexperiencing

psychologicalandmedical

problemsitscalledNature

DeficitDisorder.

ScenarioParticipant


28/40

9

muttered,"Makegoodchickentikka,eh?"

"Yes,andthat'sanotherthing."

Vishalwarmedtothistopic."Because

we'reencouragingdifferentethnicgroups

tocometothecityandweconcentrateon

sustainableagricultureandbiodiversity,

someofyourfavouritevegetablesare

grownhereandinthegardensdownthere

bythemarket."Hepointedoutthrough

thewindow."Andtheproduceissoldto

restaurants,hereandinToronto.People

nowcometoGuelphforexoticorganic

dining."

"Youarenotinyourrightmind,Vishal."Grandfathershookhishead.

"PeoplewouldnotcomefromTorontoto

thisstrangequietplacetogotoa

restaurant.Perhapsyouspenttoolong

studying,youdon'tknowanythingnow."

Vishallaughed."You'reright,not

toomanycome,butweeatverywellhere,

betterandhealthierthaninToronto.

Come,areyouhungry?Iwanttotakeyou

toonemoreplace,wherepeopleworkand

farmandcookfineIndiancuisine."

"Yes,letusgo.I'mtiredfromallthis

nonsenseandIwouldbehappytohavea

gooddhalandacupofchai.Ifthatisreally

possiblehere."

"Itis.You'llsee."Vishalgrinned.

Theygotbackintothecaranddrovenorthwest.Grandfathercasta

beadyeyeonVishal."Therearenotvery

manypeoplehere,notlikeIremember

whenyoucametouniversity.Maybeall

thisfakerealfoodhaskilledthem?"Alittle

snickerescapedhim.

"No,buttheregionhasfaced

challenges.Aftertheflood,therewasalot

ofillness,especiallyamongchildren,and

peoplebecameveryconcernedabout

Guelph'sfuture.Universityandlocalagro

businessleadersspentalongtimethinking

abouttheproblemsfacingus,thingslike

dwindlingwaterandpowersuppliesand

thepotentialforcontamination.Theycame

upwithaplanthatwouldrespecttheearth

andourresources,andencourageethnic

diversitywhilecontrollingpopulation

growth.Ithasbeenhardworkmakingthese

changesandthereisstillmuchtobedone."

Hewavedproudly."Butwearemakingprogress."

TheyparkedoutsidetheWillow

CommunityCenterandmeanderedthrough

thegardenstothemainbuilding,passing

peopleontheirway.

Grandfatherglancedaroundandhis

gazefixedonayoungwomanwithablack

eyestaringoffintospace.Hespokeinalow

voice."Thesepeople,Vishal,theydonot

lookright.Whatisthematterhere?Isita

placeforcrazies?"

Vishalkepthisvoicelowtoo."Many

differentkindsofpeopleworkhereand

somearetroubledordisabledorold.There

areotherswhocareforthemandhelp

themlearnskills,likefarmingandcooking

andcrafts.Thisparticularfacilityonly

openedacoupleofyearsago.It'sanextensionoftheOnwardWillowproject.

Theideaistohelppeoplerecoverorfind

meaningintheirlives,whilecontributingto

thelocaleconomy.It'sworkingquitewell."

Theypassedagroupofmen,onewitha

shavedheadandascar,anotherterribly


29/40

10

thin.Themenlaughedtogetherastheydugintheground

withhoes.

"Andthesepeoplewillmakemydhal?"Grandfather's

browlowered.

"Hereweare."Vishalledhimintoacozylittleeaterie

withwoodentables.Arichspicysmellpermeatedtheair.

Grandfather'seyesbrightened.

AnIndianwomanwithalimpgreetedthemand

usheredthemtoatablelookingoutoverthegardens.

Grandfatherslumpedinhischair,asheenofsweatonhis

forehead.

"Twochai,please,"saidVishal,anxiousthathe'dtiredouthisgrandfather.

Theteaseemedtorevivetheoldman.Theyordered

dhalwithriceandchappati.Grandfatherateinsilence,noisily,

polishingoffeverythingsetbeforehim.Finallyhesaid,"Ah,

yes.Verygood,Vishal.Remindsmeofhome."

Vishalsighedwithrelief."ThatiswhatIhoped,

Grandfather.IknowyoulikeyourapartmentinToronto,butI

wouldbesopleasedifyouwouldconsidermovinghere,tobe

closertome."

"Here!"Grandfather'seyebrowsshotup."Iamnot

deranged,"hehissed.

"Neitherarethesepeople,Grandfather.Lookaround.

Aretheyshoutingorgibbering?"

Theoldmanpeeredallaroundtherestaurant,then

outside."No,but"

VishalreachedoutandlaidahandonGrandfather's

arm,"Isitnotpeacefulhere?Likethecountryalmost,withthe

marketandtheparks?"

Grandfathernoddedgrumpily.

Itsjustaridiculousnotionthat

natureandcitiesexistseparate

fromeachothertheyretotally

entwined,theyneedeach

other.ScenarioParticipant


30/40


31/40

By2020theregionhasevolvedintoanetworkofwellconnectedhubs.Citieshaveacentralcorebutare

madeupaseriesofthesewellservedcentres,whichareinturnlinkedtoruraltownships.Publicspace

featuresinthesecoreareas,andservethewiderregionalcommunity,whichisitselfmadeupofnumerous

smalleryetintegratedgroups(e.g.neighbourhoods,cultural/religiousgroups,diasporagroups).Eachoftheseindividualcommunitiesisabletoaccess,directandprovideservicesandresourcestoitsmembers

as well the wider community. People feel a strong sense of belonging and there are highlevels of

participationinpubliclife.Strongcrosssectoralcollaborations,particularlybetweentheartsandbusiness,

have fostered creativity in all three sectors. This has helped the regions economy to diversify and

innovate, allowed the arts to become more relevant and sustainable, and helped local government

improve the provision of social services. The focus on cultural changes and the pressures of urban

developmentmean that environmentalconsiderationsdonotfeatureprominently.Overall, thoughthe

region has been able toadapt toexternal changes,particularly in the economy, and is culturally very

vibrant.

Kaleidosco e

KALEIDOSCOPE



32/40

2

KaleidoscopeCharacteristics

Characterisedbyhighpopulationgrowthanddiversitycombined

withavibrantanddiverseeconomy.

Thecommunitysidentityreflectsthediversityofdiversities

thatliveshere.Minorities(ofanydescriptione.g.ethnic,

sexual,ideological,health)areneitherexcludednor

vulnerableandtheyareinsteadontheedgebychoice.

Manymorediverseindividualsandgroupsfeelarealsenseof

belongingrepresentedinwork,education,media,

leadershipandthearts.

Diversityasawayofbeing=tolerance.

Thedisaggregationofcommunitytastesandinterestsis

reflectedinnicheculturalbusinesses(specialtygrocers,halalmeats,ethnicrestaurants),nichemarketingexperts,

consultingbusinessestonavigateandinterpretcultural

differencesandsmallscaleartsgroups/organisations.

Localemployersaremorelikelytorecognizeinternational

qualifications,andtherearemoreservicestohelpnew

Canadiansgetaccreditation.

Thereisastrongknowledgebasedeconomy.

Collaborationshavebeenforgedbetweenbusinessandthe

artssupportingcreativity,diversityandinnovationinboth

sectors.

Incityplanning,newdevelopmentcreatesmultiplehubs

(services,businesses,transit,publicspacesetc)anddoesnt

abandontheperiphery(avoidingthereversedonut

wherebyresourcesareconcentratedentirelyonthecitycore

leadingtoadeclineinareasontheperiphery).

Thereisanincreasednumberofcommonbuiltandnatural

spaces,whichsupportpeoplespendingtimetogether

exploringartsandculture.

Artisticpractiseandcreativityaremorediffuse.Artistsare

lesssiloedasartistsandthecommunityrecognisesa

broaderdefinitionofwhatconstitutesart.

Thisisacommunitysteepedin

historywithastronginfluence,like

theGermanworkethic,butthatsall

shiftingnow.Weneedacommunity

thatstruetoitspastbutcertainly

willingtolookatitsfuture.Themirrorslookingquitedifferentnow,

eveninthe20yearsthatIvebeen

here.

ScenarioParticipant


33/40


34/40

4

`

A

B

20092012 20132016 20172020

Social Education/awarenessbuildingaboutculturalinclusionandcriticalengagement

Reciprocityofcitizenexperience/participationlocalandglobal

Policiesshiftrecognitionofinternationaleducation,immigration,employmentinclusiveandrelevant

Increaseinnumber,dependability,levelofcommunicationandadaptabilityofsocialservices

Increasedopportunityfor

youthleadership,expandedskilldevelopment,culturalunderstandingandsharedspaces

PermeableIdentity

AppreciationandrecognitionofnecessityofCDtotobuildvibrantandresilientcommunity

Differentandequal

Economic Significantdisruptionintheeconomy,particularlyforthelargebusinesseslocatedlocally,freesalargenumberofcreativeemployees

Majorartsrelatedeventsattractedtotheregionbycreativepotential

Highadoptionratesfortechnology(socialnetworking,masstransitetc)

Emergenceofcommunitybasedandspinoffindustries,rechannelingofentrepreneurialactivity

Increaseinthenumbercrosssectorcollaborativegroupsandorganisations

Collaborationsdriveinnovationandcreativityandhelptheeconomytodiversify

Environmental Sewageprocessingproblemwatercrisis

Drasticwaterrationingforhomeandindustry.Agricultureaffectedbydrought:lowermeatproductionandcropyields

Healthproblemsrelatedtoworseningair/waterresources

Increasedpressurefornewhousingdevelopments

Reductioningreenspaceinthecities(parks,recreationalfields)andoutsidethem(agriculturalland,protectedareas).

Lackofaccesstogreenspaceimpactingqualityoflife


35/40

5

Healing

Kitchener,July2020

Afewminutesbeforesix,Anitashutsdownhercomputerandleansbackatherdesk.It'sbeenagoodday,

chockfull,butnoonehasdied.Infact,shehasn'tevenseena

patientwithanillnessshecouldn'ttreat,atleasttemporarily.

Itworriesherthat,evenhereinthisbubblingmetropolis,she

isseeingariseinillnessesrelatedtobasichygieneandmedical

treatment.Eventhenumerousmedicalbreakthroughsinthe

lastdecadecannotcompensateforthescarcityofresources

likewater.Thegrowingshortageofhealthcareprofessionals

doesn'thelpeither.

Shestaresthroughherofficewindowoutoverthecity,

admiringthegreenspaces,thecolourfulbuildingsandwide

streets.ShecanseethenewlytitledArtists'AlleydownCedar

Street.It'smoreanavenuethananalley,apedestrianstreet

linedbytreesfullofdecorations,hangingsculpturesand

mobiles.Eventhepavementispainted,withbrilliantmosaics,

andpeoplearealreadyjammingthewalkway.Itremindsherof

LasRamblas,inBarcelonawheresheattendedmedicalschool,

onlyitisfresher,morecreative.TonighttheHeritageFestival

begins,withperformances,artsdisplaysanddemonstrations

ofartistdriveninnovationsinGuelph,KWandCambridge.She'sheadingovertoCambridgefortheirofficialopening.As

chairoftheplanningcommittee,she'sgivingaspeechonarts

andprogressthere.Tomorrowherpaintingswillfeatureinone

ofthemanydigitalmediashowshereintown.It'sanexciting

timeinthemulticity.

Herintercomhums.Shesighs.Martashouldhaveleft

halfanhourago.Shepressesthebutton."Yes?"

"I..Isorry,Dr.Ferez,There"Martasoundsflustered.

Itmakesherspeechimpedimentworse.

"Takeyourtime,Marta."Thewomanisbrightand

extremelycapable,andAnita'spatientshavegrown

accustomedtoherspeech,assheknewtheywould.

"There'sagirlIknowyou'releaving.She'shurt."

Artists,andsomecultural

mediators,havemanyideas

abouthowtoengagecitizensin

avibrantcommunitythatis

environmentallymoresensitive,

sociallymorejustand

architecturallymorebeautiful.

Holdingthembackaskeycontributorstothiskindof

communityisnotalackofideas

butalackofresourcesand

abilitytogarnerthese

resources.

ScenarioParticipant

Culturalgroupsarestuckinthemindsetofanotforprofitand

endupinanSOSsituationevery

3yrs;butIthinkweshouldrun

asbusinessesandearnour

revenue.

ScenarioParticipant


36/40


37/40

7

"Youdidn'twanttogotothehospital?"

Jamesfrowns."Wedon'tlikemodernmedicine.No

offense."

"Nonetaken.ButI'msurprisedyoucamehere.Ido

practicemodernmedicine."Shetriesasmile.

Thegirllooksverypale.

"Iheardthatyoualsorespectthetraditionsofother

cultures,includingnativeones."Jameswatchesher,hisface

impassive.

Martaarriveswiththecanisterandpoursalittlewater

intoabowl.Anitaappliesalittlesoaptoherhands,andpoursatrickleofwateroverthemtorinsethesudsaway.Thenshe

returnstoKendra.WithMarta'sassistance,shecleansthe

wound,superficiallyatleast,andappliesamoreliberalthan

usualdoseofantiseptic.Martahandsherathreadedneedle.

"I'mgoingtostitchthisup,"AnitasaystoKendra."It

willhurtalittle,butit'snecessary.Allright?"

Forthefirsttime,Kendraseemsanxious.Shelooksup

atJames.Henodsandholdshergaze.

Anitaworksquickly,entirelyfocusedonhertask.There

isalotofblood,butMartawipesitaway,andsoonAnitahas

finishedstitching.Sheappliesabandageandstandsup."Don't

getitwetandkeepthebandageonforaweek.Thenyoucan

comebackandI'llremovethestitches.Martacanmakean

appointment."Martanodsand,atalookfromAnita,slipsout

oftheoffice.

AglanceattheclockshowsAnitasheneedstohurry,

gethometoherapartment,changeandcatchthehighspeedtransittoCambridge.Shemayhavetotakeacabhome,

althoughitcouldtakemoretimetofindonethantowalk.

Despitethegrowthinthecity,ormaybebecauseofit,there

arefewerandfewermotorizedvehiclesoutthere.Usually

Anitaapplaudsthisfact.Withsomanypeople,it'scriticalto

keeptheairascleanaspossible,buttodaysheiseagertoget

Iminterestedinfindingcreativeandartistictoolstohelp

peoplethinkdifferentlyabout

howwedefineeachother.

ScenarioParticipant

The10%atthetoparepeople

whoarecaughtandinterestedin

somethingandhavepeople

listentothem.The10%atthe

bottomarecaughtandinterestedbutalmostnobody

talkstoorlistenstothem.

ScenarioParticipant


38/40

8

totheFestival.It'sthetenthanniversary

andtheculturalcollagewillbebreath

taking.Sheknows,becauseshebookedthe

artists.Atruecelebrationof

multiculturalism,onascalethatnoteven

Torontocouldrival.

"Thankyou,"saysJames.

Kendrarisesathisnod.Herface

turnsasicklyshadeofgreenandherknees

buckle.Jamescatchesherbeforeshehits

thefloor.

TheFestivalforgotten,Anitasays,

"Here,layherontheexaminingtable."

Jamesscoopsthegirlupinhisarms

anddoesasAnitarequests.Lyingonthe

whitesheet,Kendralookslikean8year

oldchild,tiny,bonesjuttingout.Hereyes

flutteropen.Anitaexaminesherquickly,

thencallsforMarta,whonipsin.

"Marta,canyoustayherewith

Kendraforamoment?James,I'dliketo

talktoyou."

Foramoment,shethinksJameswill

refuse,seizehisdaughterandhustleout,

awayfromherandhermodernmedicine.

Thenhenodsandsheushershimthrough

thedoorintotheouteroffice.Outside,the

settingsunsplashestheskywithgoldand

orangerays.Throughtheopenwindowshe

canhearthesoundofabandplayingand

voices,laughter.PeopleareflockingintothecityfortheFestival.They'vearranged

fortwiceasmanybusesandtrainsasusual

fromTorontotoday.

"Sit,please."Shegesturestoward

oneofthewaitingroomchairsandperches

ontheother.

Hecomplies.

"Mr.Clearwater,youdaughteris

very,verythin.Issheill?"

Hefrowns,shakeshishead.

"Hassheseenadoctor?Hadtests

performed?"

Heshakeshisheadagain,more

vigorously.

"Areyounotworried?"

Helooksdown."Yes."Hespeaksina

whisper,thentakesadeepbreath."She

doesn'teat."

"Noappetite?Doessheget

headaches?"

Heshrugs."Idon'tknow.She

doesn'ttalkaboutit.ButIthinkshedoes

notwanttoeat.Shelikestobethin."

"Haveyouaskedher?"

"No.Ifshewantstospeaktome,

shewill.Shedoesnot."Hesoundssad,

resigned.

Anitamullsonthis,recallinga

seminarsheattendedaboutnativebeliefs,

howtheyrespecteachother.Itimpressedheratthetimeandsheadmiredthenative

healerswhospoke.Nowsheseesagirlin

desperateneedofhelpandafatherunable

togiveittoher."Hermother?"sheasks

gently.


39/40

9

"Sheisgone.Someyearsago."

"James,IcannotsaywithoutfullyexaminingKendra,

butit'spossibleshehasaneatingdisorderlikeanorexia.This

canbeveryserious,verydangerous."

Henods;heknowsthisalready.

"Thereareclinics"

"No.Shemuststaywithme.Iwilltrytomakeher

understand."

"Youlivehere,inthemulticity?"

Henods."DownintheAlachi."

TheAlachi!She'ssurprised.It'sthenewnameforthe

thrivingareanearFairviewMall,oneofthemostculturally

diversepartsofthemulticityandahotbedofcreativity.Just

recentlyshereadaboutagroupofAlachiartistswho'dbeen

workingasadvisorstoahightechfirm,helpingtheminnovate

increativenewways.Shekicksherselfmentally.Andwhy

shouldn'ttheylivethere?Theyareobviouslywellenoughoff

andwhatdidhesay?He'sasculptor,possiblyevenamember

ofthatgroup.

"Mr.Clearwater.Icanseeyoucareaboutyour

daughter,andIrespectthefactthatyoudonotwanther

treatedusingmodernmethods.Haveyoueverbeentothe

HealingCentre?"

Heshakeshishead.

"ItisanunusualtreatmentfacilityadjacenttoHomer

WatsonPark,notfarfromtheFairviewAlachiarea.They

practiceavarietyofmedicinesthere,Western,Eastern,African,acupuncture,evenanimaltherapy.Theyareaffiliated

withseveralchurchesandhaveatleastonenativedoctor.I

believetheyevenhaveasweatlodge.Iunderstandyoumay

feelsuspiciousorapprehensive,buttheircreedisthatno

patientiseverforcedtoaccepttreatmentthatgoesagainst

theirfundamentalbeliefs.Therearesomeverywisepeople

InToronto,inEurope,youstart

toseethattheresactually

communitieshere(incities).

Wereabitdysfunctionalhere,

suburbiaissomethingwere

usedtobutthesearenot

functioningcommunities.In

Toronto,peopleliveinand

aroundwheretheyeat,shopandwork,andiftheyrenotthey

takepublictransporttoget

there.

ScenarioParticipant


40/40

workingthere.Wouldyou,atleast,consider,takingKendra

there?"

Hegazesatherforseveralmoments.Atlast,henods.

Shehas,inhercareer,seenhopedawninmanyeyesandshe

thinkssheseesitnow.

"Good.I'mglad.Whydon'tIcontactthefacilityand

whenyoubringKendrabacktohavethestitchesremoved,I

canhelpsetupanappointment."Shesmiles.

Herises."Thankyou.Iwouldappreciatethat."

Astheyleave,heplacesahandonKendra'sshoulder.

Thegirldoesnotshrugitoff.

Howdotheseinnovative

modelsofcreativedevelopment

thatarebeingpractisedinmusic

encouragenewsocially

responsiveformsofcommunitybuildingacrossboundaries,and

whatroledotheyplayinhelping

usnegotiatedifferencesand

acceptthechallengesofriskand

contingency?

ScenarioParticipant

waterloo-wellington scenarios complete

Documents