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8/14/2019 Waterloo-Wellington Scenarios Complete
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Thisisascenariowheretheregionsuniversitiesandcollegeshavebecomedisconnectedfromtheirtownsandcities,whohavelikewisebecomelesswellintegratedwitheachother.Theregionseconomyhas
stagnatedandbecomelessdiverse.ThelocaleconomyreliesontheUniversitiesandCollegesasthe
primarysourceofemploymentasglobaleconomicdeclineanddisruptivetelecommunicationstechnology
havehitmanufacturingveryhard.Highunemploymentandpovertymeansthedemandforsocialservices
ishigh.Despitestalledpopulationgrowth,thequalityandquantityofserviceprovisionislimitedbythe
lackofresourcesandthecautiousapproachofserviceproviders.Theculturalmalaiseisfeltacutelyinthe
arts,whichareseenaslessrelevantinthefaceofthesechallenges,andthusbothartistsandart
institutionsarestrugglingtosurvive.Theenvironment,includingthewatershedandthelocalfood
production,arealsoconsideredtobelessimportant.
ATownDivided
ATOWNDIVIDED
WATERLOOWELLINGTONSCENARIOS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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
WATERLOOWELLINGTONSCENARIOS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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By2020thereisgreaterinterestintheenvironment,andacultureofenvironmentalstewardship
throughouttheregion.Traditionalbusinessesandindustrieshaveadoptedsustainablepractices,new
industriesareevolvingtomeetthedemandforcleaner,greenerproductsandservices,protectedareasof
greenspacearoundthecitiesrestricturbandevelopment,andacommitmenttoandknowledgeofthe
environmentisencouragedinlocalschools.Asaresult,thelocalfoodeconomyisthrivingandsupportsa
strongconnectionbetweencitiesandruraltowns.Withinthecities,thereareagrowingnumberofwell
used,multipurposegreenspacesthatarewellconnectedtoeachotherbypublictransit.Thetwin
challengesofenvironmentalresourcedepletionandtheneedtoattractnewanddiversepeopletothe
regionhavegalvanisedthecommunity,andincreasedparticipationinpubliclife.
GreenTowers
GREENTOWERS
WATERLOOWELLINGTONSCENARIOS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
WATERLOOWELLINGTONSCENARIOS
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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
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`
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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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