Plan Exploring Agenda 21 and Green Urbanism in Europe and by Natalie Ethier

In parts of Europe, LA21 has already been BECAUSE THE SCALE OF URBANIZATION in Urban sustainable accepted. Its success has been attributed development in Canada many parts of the worlef is creating new to a consensus on sustainable develop­ ment at the regional and national levels, circumstances for humanity, effective methods of Status of Local Agenda 21 generated by an understanding of rele­ cooperation for sustainable urban development are There is a general reluctance in North vant issues and the role of participants in America to adopt international agree­ needed Urban sprawl, declining resource bases, local activities. increasing pollution and unprecedented population ments, in this case, including the broad­ growth continue to consume urban areas and Political support for LA21 and ranging LA21. When Agenda 21 was ini­ tially established, roundtables and focus agricultural lands, threatening the natural green urbanism in Europe groups were already active in Canada, environment and disrupting life-support systems. Policies on such issues as bicycle usage, and it was considered unnecessary to compact urban form, concentrated decon­ adopt LA21 as a policy framework. This centration (that is , clustered deconcentra­ misconception has resulted in a lack of tion that accommodates urban growth sustainable community development in Planning must counteract the negative through the designation of new growth Canada. Still, the importance of urban effects of urban sprawl on the environ­ centres with population targets of sustainability has recently gained ground ment. Green urbanism, which emphasizes between 50,000 and 100,000 people), here. the importance of cities and positive growth containment, open space, public urbanism in shaping more sustainable transit and renewable energy have greatly Environment Canada's Sustainable Development places, communities and lifestyles, focuses supported the movement towards urban on the reurbanization of downtown cores Strategy sustainability in European countries. While Environment Canada's Sustainable and other developed areas of communi­ many countries have developed their own ties, including brown fields and, in cases Development Strategy illustrates the ten­ policies voluntarily, others are prescribed dency among Canadian policy-makers to such as the Netherlands, land reclaimed by the European Union . from the sea. Closely related are strategies focus on sustainable development issues for increasing the availability and use of The Aalborg Charter from a biophysical viewpoint. The docu­ public transit, such as traffic calming and The Charter of European Cities and ment presents four focal points: knowl­ car limiting. The principles inherent in this Towns: Towards Sustainability (the edge for decision-making; economic new form of development are the same as Aalborg Charter) was signed in May 1994 incentives and instruments; those underlying the goals of Local in Aalborg, Denmark . The objective of the partnerships/sustainable communities; Agenda 21 (LA21). charter is to promote development toward and managing for sustainable develop­ sustainability at the local level and to sup­ ment. From this standpoint, social aspects Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on port local authorities in the development that lie at the base of any movement Environment and Development, was and implementation of appropriate poli­ toward sustainable communities are adopted by over 178 governments at the cies and actions. Eighty European local largely overlooked. 1992 United Nations Conference on authorities and 253 representatives from Environment Canada advocates a strategic Environment and Development held in Rio various organizations and governments approach to sustainable development by de Janeiro. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive initially signed the Aalborg Charter. helping Canadians live and prosper in an plan of action to be taken globally, Commitment to LA21 processes and long­ environment that requires respect, protec­ nationally and locally by United Nations term action plans toward sustainability has tion and conservation . However, none of organizations, governments and major initiated the European Sustainable Cities the stated objectives address urban con ­ groups, in every area where humans and Towns Campaign. affect the environment. From the 1992 cerns such as waste management, energy conference comes innovative approaches Green taxes conservation and transportation. Instead, to creating more sustainable communities Green taxes and environmental taxes are the focus is on weather, environmental through holistic and inclusive regional­ used extensively in Europe, gradually conditions and natural capital. While part­ planning methods, all of which are out­ shifting the tax burden from labour and nerships, information-sharing and govern­ lined in LA21. The goals of LA21 focus on income to energy consumption and pollu­ ment support are important to the sus­ eliminating waste through controlled tion . In countries such as Denmark, tainability process, they do not encompass resource consumption and reduced car Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, social issues vital to LA21 's holistic ii dependency, and on creating safe and taxes have been placed on sulphur, nitric approach . Working toward a more com­ convivial living/working environments for oxides, household wastes, water pollu­ prehensive framework means addressing • all citizens. tion , carbon dioxide and groundwater the social behaviours that affect consump­ withdrawal, among other things. The · tion. It entails a metabolic restructuring of result has been significant reductions in our society. pollution and energy use.

Octobcr•November•Oecember, 2002 , Vol. 42, N° 4 20 Plan urbanization and "far flung suburbs" Summary have on the environment and argues that As a growing human population threatens cities need to adopt better planning in the viability of Earth's life-support sys­ which city officials and political leaders tems, it is necessary to reassess the effects work with the community to promote of current planning trends. This article public transit, urban revitalization and the examines issues of urban sustainability or protection of green spaces. NRTEE points "green" urbanism, and proposes ways to Canada out an apparent relationship between the incorporate them into the Canadian plan­ improvement of environmental quality ning process using global policy tools. and the generation of new economic activity in a city. Sommaire Prospects for implementation Les tendances aduel/es en amenagement doivent tenir compte des consequences of urban sustainable d'une population humaine croissante sur la development in Canada viabilite de la Terre. Le present article The National Roundtable on the The existing government structure , which analyse certains themes de l'urbanisme Environment and the Economy has set in place myriad legal restrictions «vert» et suggere des moyens d'incorporer In contrast to Environment Canada's strat­ and taxation policies discouraging renova­ de telles preoccupations dans le processus egy, the National Roundtable on the tion or replacement, can be perceived as a decisionnel d'amenagement canadien. Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) major impediment to sustainable commu­ advocates an approach more consistent nity development in Canada. These poli­ with green urbanism and the goals of cies have resulted in a preference for Natalie Ethier has a bachelor's degree in LA21 . There has been a long-standing building on new urban land rather than environmental studies in geography from the need for relevant and widely accepted for renovating, rebuilding and intensifying University of Waterloo. Her research environmental and sustainable develop­ the use in existing built areas. Often the includes sustainable community ment indicators to assist decision-making only parts of inner cities that have been development, green urbanism, urban in Canada, especially indicators that redeveloped are remnants of historic examine the linkages between economic, cores, where public-private partnerships revitalization and Local Agenda 21- environmental and social factors. NRTEE is have provided renovation and new con­ primarily the different approaches taken to currently working to develop indicators struction , leaving less desirable areas to address these issues in Europe and North I for sustainable development in Canada deteriorate both economically and socially. America. Natalie can be contacted at: under its Environment and Sustainable [email protected] Development Indicators Initiative. These Local Agenda 21 offers a sound starting I indicators would be applied across Canada point for combating the devastating to monitor the integration of environmen­ effects of urban growth and sprawl. The tal and social considerations into the eco­ principles of green urbanism have great nomic decisions made by governments, potential to improve the urban planning I practice in light of LA21 . One can only business and civil society. ! hope that the lessons learned in Europe NRTEE has identified "four challenges" and elsewhere through the implementa­ that Canada will face in the next decade, tion of these principles will be learned in among them managing urban spaces to Canada. These principles should not be create healthier environments . NRTEE implemented merely as a matter of choice acknowledges the detrimental impact that but as a matter of responsibility.

I ,

A LAW UNTO ITSELF IS A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE development and application ofland use planning policy by the Ontario Municipal Board (0MB) during two specific time periods (1971-78 and --A 1987-2000). John G. Chipman examines the way in which the 0MB frequently overturns municipal land use planning decisions and imposes its ~ -sv=JA-W own policies, which are generally protective of private interests, and the way in which it applies provincial planning policies within the context of its own standards. He concludes that both the nature of the policies developed - C ~ NTO by the 0MB and the changing climate within which it operates provide __TSELF evidence that the board has outlived its role as a planning appeal tribunal. HOW THE ONTARIO John G. Chipman• A Law Unto Itself MUNICIPAL BOARD HAS 264 pp, 20 tables • Cloth 0802036252 $60.00 DEVELOPED AND APPLIED September 2002 from University ofToronto Press LAND USE PLANNING POLICY In bookscores or call to order 1-800-565-9523 • fax 1-800-221-9985

21 Octobre• Novembre• D&embre 2002 1 Vol. 42, N° 4