Feature Article
The Reading Room
Who’s Your City - How the Creative Economy is Making
Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life
Jon Linton
Richard Florida
Random House, Canada, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-307-35696-3
Just to explain the rather unusual title of the book, Richard Florida is saying that cities have personalities, and that people are most comfortable when they live in a city that embraces their own personality type. For many of us, this means cities in which we feel creative; where we are able to meet our potential; where we are provided with lots of opportunities; cities that are exciting for us to be in, etc. In short, people feel most comfortable where there is a psychological fit between the character of the city (“who it is”) and that of the individual. So, a hip young software developer like my nephew Kenny feels right at home in a hip young town like Seattle. His more settled father, who runs an established seed business, fits right in to the more traditional and elegant lifestyle offered by a smaller city. In a highly mobile world, where creative types have a wide variety of options as to where to live, the choice of the type of community that suits them is increasingly an issue. So, if you’re a city, this is important stuff if you want to attract creative types. It has implications for development, marketing, branding … well, you get the idea – if you’re reading this you’re likely an intelligent creative type yourself.
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Feature Events
February 21-24 - Ontario Good Roads Association/Rural Ontario Municipal Association combined conference, Toronto ON. Contact info@ogra.org, 905-795-2555, http://www.ogra.org. Visit us at the Municipal World booth during the conference.
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Feature Items
Gavels – The walnut presentation gavel, a symbol of leadership, rests on a walnut block or on a presentation stand to which an inscription band may be added. The following can be ordered separately #1600 – Walnut gavel; #1601 – Walnut block - round; #1602 – Walnut presentation stand - rectangular; and #1603 – Brass inscription band.
For more information on these items call: 888-368-6125, view our product catalogue or shop online.
Correction
December 2009 issue: Figures 1 and 2 to the article “Severe Weather – #1 Risk to Ontario Municipalities” by Don MacIver, Joan Klaassen, Heather Auld, and Sadia Butt, appearing on pages 18 and 19 were reproduced incorrectly. The correct figures are posted here.
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Insights
The 1980s were difficult for Brantford. The turning point for the downtown came when the city, a citizen’s group, and Wilfrid Laurier University signed an agreement to establish a satellite campus in the vacant Carnegie library. Attracting students to downtown Brantford proved difficult. The campus persevered and slowly, a more successful approach to programming introduced a series of innovative programs … enrolment rose to over 2,000 full-time students. – Leo Groarke, Principal, Brantford Campus, Wilfrid Laurier University.
Read this article in the February 2010 issue of Municipal World.
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Feature Profile
Meet Denis Chamberland – in the Procurement Zone
Denis Chamberland is regarded as one of Canada’s leading legal advisors in municipal procurement. He helps municipalities draft bid call documents and procurement by-laws and he provides strategic advice on a variety of legal, regulatory and public policy issues, such as municipal conflicts of interest, lobbying, and codes of conduct. He also works with municipalities on various projects, including public-private partnerships, water and wastewater, solid waste collection, disposal and recycling, construction, outsourcing, and information technology transactions.
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Feature Book
Strategic Planning for Municipalities: A Users' Guide by Thomas E. Plant [0085]
Too often, strategic planning is seen as a complex process, involving only senior management in the design and production of a glossy strategic plan document that is used infrequently in the running of the municipal operation. But, strategic planning has the potential to be a powerful process that catalyzes the municipal organization, bringing together the public, staff and management in the development of a common vision, direction and goals. It can also function as an accounting mechanism, allowing the public and management to evaluate progress and ensure that the municipality is moving in the right direction. This book takes the reader step-by-step through this process. Order online
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