Regina is in the process of drafting an Official Community Plan that will guide development for the next 20 years or so. Due to fortunate economic circumstances tied to resource revenues and the growing prosperity of India, China and other countries on the cusp of transitioning from Developing to Developed status, a fair bit of growth is likely to occur here in the next while. So as far as timing goes, the push to draft an OCP is perfect.
To help promote public buy-in of whatever ends up getting proposed, the city has stated from the outset that it wants public input. That’s what this three-day event at Conexus Arts Centre is about. In one part, people who took the city up on its offer to a hold a citizens’ circle to come up with ideas about stuff we should think about in planning for our future will present their suggestions. There’s also workshops on different aspects of urban planning, and a forum where ideas are discussed and further refined.
This event comes on the heels of three public lectures that were held at the university a month or so ago on key principles of modern urban planning which seek to promote goals like sustainability, environmental protection, inclusivity and community engagement. All are laudable aims. But one thing that bugs me about this process so far is that everything’s been held in south Regina. The university and Conexus are both terrific venues. And it’s not like they’re impossible to get to. But if you don’t have a car, they’re not exactly the most convenient locations either — especially at night.
For more on this event, which runs Oct. 25-27, visit www.designregina.ca
