Definitions - what does it mean to develop?

As I've explained before, I love cities/urban areas, and am interested in many facets of them - their physical environment, economic stability,  and the social wellbeing of its people.

"Local Economic Development" is getting to be a pretty buzzy idea for many academics and in the practice-isms of government and economic directors.

What IS local economic development?

Image from the World Bank's website

There are MULTIPLE definitions, that emphasize different aspects. Perhaps this lends itself to the fact that local economic development is very multidisciplinary - economics, geography, sociology, political sciece...etc

Definition #1: Social justice development

“Development means making a better life for everyone. In the present context of a highly uneven world, a better life for most people means, essentially, meeting basic needs: sufficient food to maintain good health; a safe, healthy place in which to live; affordable services available to everyone; and being treated with dignity and respect.

This definition  understands development needing to provide more people beyond their basic needs. 

Beyond meeting these needs, basic to human survival, the course taken by development is subject to the material and cultural visions of different societies. The methods and purposes of development are subject to popular, democratic decision making.”  - Peet and Hartwick (2009:1)

Defintion #2: Wealth development

•“Economic development: the ongoing process of creating wealth in which producers deploy scarce human, financial, capital, physical and natural resources to produce goods and services that consumers want and are willing to pay for.

•“Process of national wealth creation for the benefit of local consumers and producers [through] either the expansion of job opportunities and tax base or the efficient redeployment of local resources ” – Malizia (1994: 84)

Is there some middle ground between these two definitions? Definitely. See my next post!

Environmental Justice

For my thesis project, I am doing a lot of reading about environmental justice. Interesting stuff! I feel as though this is what I've been searching for my whole university career, and I am just coming upon it now at the end. It's all about what I'm interested in: the environment, but not just the environment. How culture, people, and justice fit into all of it! 

http://beautifultrouble.org/theory/environmental-justice/

We sell these in the ES Coffeeshop!

I am co-managing the ES Coffeeshop this term. And we sell these delicious jars of goodness! Awesome on my toast.

Night/Shift: (Inner)national Parks of Kitchener

Night/Shift was a great event. As one of my co-explorers through downtown Kitchener said that night, it was like Nuit Blanche in Toronto except smaller, warmer, friendlier and sans large numbers of annoying drunk and high people. (His sentiments, not necessarily mine! I've only been the Nuit Blanche once. I thought people were nice)

Mostly I liked the chance to walk around downtown Kitchener with friends, while learning about (one side) the city's arts & culture in a way that can only be done this way. Reading about it, hearing a lecture about it, etc. is not the same kind of learning.

Favourite exhibits?

Hands down favourite thing was the (Inner)national Parks of Kitchener installation. I thought it was hilarious and clever. I'd love to see something like this be installed during the day to get more people seeing it.

http://megharder.carbonmade.com/

A big moment for me was feeling part of city, rather than a student. I have lived in this region coming onto 4 and a half years. Despite that the fact that I've tried settle down outside the student bubble, my life and activities still revolve heavily around the University. I'm excited to become a real person when I graduate. (an unemployed person? Perhaps.)

It was cool to recognize people from my Faculty, from different events, and from just walking around the street. I understand that this is sort of a select group of people who come out to all these events....so it's not that surprising that I should recognize them. But the fact that this is beginning to happen indicates to me that there is a bit of a community here. It may be a select group out of the general population, but perhaps that's what a community is? I'm not sure. That's a question for us to ponder forever (Or perhaps for my undergrad thesis. One or the other)

Greenspaces in the News | April 12, 2013

Tribute to Jenna K. Morrison, a memorial Reflexology Footpath in Dufferin Grove Park.
Hit by a truck almost two years ago while riding her bike to pick up her son from kindergarden, Jenna Morrison's memory is to be shared with this Toronto community soon. Fundraisng for the project is underway, supported by Toronto Parks and Trees.
https://torontoparksandtrees.org/jenna-k.-morrison-memorial

Debate surrounding the Island Airport is back on the table and proposals to extend runways to jets has many residents wary about the noise, effects on recreation space, and other concerns.

Former mayor David Miller spoke on the issue on CBC Metro Morning yesterday, expressing that the expansion would result in a loss in that space for culture, recreation and enjoyment of the waterfront .

I'm torn on this issue. On one hand, these concerns make sense to me...and the same time, I've taken porter flights and it is very convenient. I'll be reading more on this - what's your opinion?

Photo Credit: The Torontoist, click photo for link.
http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/04/11/porter_airlines_plans_to_fly_bombardier_jet_out_of_toronto_island_airport.html

True Davidson Park

 

True Davidson Park (The park beside S. Walter Stewart Library)

Claiming identity in boroughs of the past. Ah, summer. This photo from last year makes me long for warm weather. Today, we are not really in spring, not truly - there are forcasted ice pellets! Come on.

 

 

 

The greenspace surrounding S.Walter Stewart Library is a perhaps little shabby, but it features some sculpture and does its job of complementing the library. The story of the library itself is pretty interesting. Established in 1960 as East York’s main branch, its 2008 renovation turned it into the I loved snagging a spot in the library by the big windows featured in the rotunda design, and watching high school students having their lunch out there.

 

I only wish this had been my crowd – voracious manga-readers, creators of fantasy of worlds and anthropomorphic creature characters, members of the library Youth Advisory Committee. Unfortunately, I’m only appreciating this world now, but these smart girls knowing where its at – the park outside SWS Library.

SWS Library has a good section on East York History, and it is fitting that the small parkette hugging the curves is named for Jane Gertrude (True) Davidson, first mayor of East York.

 

True – what a great name.

True Davidson became to the mayor of the Borough of East York when it was formed from the merged Leaside and East York. She was an opponent of amalgation into Toronto, but a proponent of community developed through relationships, not only through programs and plans.

Apparently, my street is the border line establishing neighbourhoods – the north side of Milverton is East York and the South side Toronto. Really, these neighbourhood boundaries are a bit liquidy, and probably their best use is to give us residents a sense of belonging. But why not? In a city as large and sprawling to Toronto, claiming identity in our ‘hoods gives us a chance to  have a little small town feel too.

Waterloo Park Wanderings

Yes. I realize my last post gave the impression that I would be visiting some Hamilton parks. I have done that a little, took a few pictures...it will come.

But I'm in Waterloo today! Over my time in university, I've come to love KW a lot. As a student, I know it can be easy to stick around campus rather than explore the surrounding areas, but I think it's so important to venture out and really be present in the city and the community. I can't say I've done that as much as I'd like to, but there's still next year when I move back.

One of my favourite greenspaces in Waterloo is Waterloo Park. You know its true because I "like" it on Facebook. Be a man - make it Facebook Official.

Some of my stories....

Biking through Waterloo Park at night, singing loudly to keep the rapists at bay

Wonders of Winter light festival. 
It is so enchanting to walk home through the park late at night and look at the light displays. They have a variety of cartoon characters...Sponge Bob Squarepants, Spiderman...animals. Perhaps a little hokey, maybe not as heart-welling as the Lunar New Year light festival that I've been to in Toronto's Ontario Place. But I love it!  It has charm and the HOPE of the HOLIDAYS. You just look at them and imagine you can hear jingle bells and perhaps catch an almost ghostly regal reindeer step out of the trees (I guess then it'd be a caribou since we're in North America)

Photo cred: http://waterlooinsider.wordpress.com/ ...what a great blog. I have to make a point of visiting some of these  places. 

Lydia was kind enough to hang out with me this morning. (Actually she was kind of obligated - she was my Secret Servant and didn't do anything for me before I left. It's great to have a friend who owes you hang out time! haha.) We went to the newly re-opened Mel's Diner, ordered some toast, eggs, bacon, home fries, pancakes and waffles oh yes, and went to the park! A perfect Secret Santa date.

It was so bright and sunny today. We had to close our eyes - feel the warmth on our lids instead. Spring is truly coming.