York Region: Hurdles to Overcome
This past week our class for PPG2017 — Urban Policy headed to the York Region Administrative Centre in Newmarket to discuss the regional outlook when it comes to urban policymaking. I believe more often than not when we discuss urban policy, we tend to confine ourselves within the realms of dense cities and when you study within the downtown it is more centred around the City of Toronto and the happenings within such a place. We often dismiss that a world of urban policy exists beyond the City of Toronto and that good policymaking happens at a regional level which are equally faced with a unique set of their own challenges. Living in York Region myself I have seen how a metropolitan place such as this one is multi-faceted and constantly growing and that a lot is being done but also needs to be done in addressing emerging issues.
I find that regional government is quite complex because it is not only compromised of multiple municipalities that need to be governed but also how it is more geographically dispersed including the distinct range in the built environment across. If anything, the importance of effective governance structures is more crucial at a regional level where you try to manage diverse needs and interests amongst its citizens. This is necessary in order to develop a cohesive regional approach that can integrate different components in order to plan for the long-term and manage growth. York Region is a place that is vastly growing, and this will only continue as currently half of Ontarians live in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Given that York Region is so vast, we have to consider how the southern part of the region differs from that of the north and you have to ask yourself how can you navigate such disparity and ensure different interests and political views are addressed and put on the table without one being more prominent than the other? How do you ensure that there is fairness in the decision-making process while still maintaining a vision to take action on areas such as climate change, affordable housing and accessible transit?
I believe the answer lies in the crucial need to promote civic engagement and public participation. So often I see that it is during situations of controversy such as development applications that residents aren’t happy about, that there is immense participation to show their dissatisfaction. Why isn’t there participation in advocating for more sustainable and complete communities and having a more holistic approach to their neighbourhoods as opposed to only matters that impact them in the short run? A shift needs to happen where individuals and residents can look beyond their immediate wants and needs and advocate for a better future and develop a sense of urgency to make our institutions accountable to delivering on such a vision. Without political motivation and will, long-term planning can only go so far without the commitment of citizens to get on board and make it a priority. A change of mindset and an integrated approach is required in order for regions to thrive and accommodate for a growing population.
