ONTARIO    

AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

BRUCE COUNTY LAUNCHES SENIORS WEBSITE
Bruce County seniors now have a new website that provides information on a broad range of services and community living issues.  The County pooled the $5,000 per municipality amount that is being offered by the Province, to develop the website and cover the costs of hosting for three years.  The County is targeting seniors, among other economic groups, because of their growing numbers.  (For more information, please visit http://www.bruceseniors.com/) Sep 9

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

OTTAWA’S NEW LANGUAGE LINE INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY  
The City of Ottawa has launched Language Line, a service that allows callers to participate in a three-way call with a translator and city staff member.  Residents can now receive service in the language they are most comfortable speaking.  The translator facilitates the conversation between the caller and city staff to enable the fullest information on an issue and complete answers to questions.  The new service is available through the city’s 3-1-1 call line and other city contact centres.  (For more information, please visit http://www.ottawa.ca/info/contactus/index_en.html).  Oct 6

HERITAGE PRESERVATION

GRIMSBY DEVELOPS NEW APPROACH TO PRESERVING BUILDINGS 
Following the devastation of the Grand Avenue Tree Stand, the Town of Grimsby has developed a heritage emergency management protocol to prevent further disasters.  The objective of the protocol is to ensure protection of heritage resources  without compromising public safety, to educate local decision makers and emergency personnel about special requirements of heritage resources and to provide a consistent approach to the management  of emergency situations  involving heritage resources.  (For more information, please visit http://www.westniagaranews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3330795). Oct 19

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION/OPERATION

NEW OTTAWA SYSTEMS TO MANAGE CITY VEHICLES
The City of Ottawa has made important changes to its Use of Vehicles and Mileage Claim Policies.  A new automated mileage and parking system was introduced in 2009 to build in efficiencies and new enhanced controls to manage claims for compensation for mileage.  Policies also encourage employees to choose the most efficient means of business travel, including the use of auto-share vehicles.  The city has also recently installed a new parking system at City Hall that has enhanced reporting and tracking capacity to implement management policies related to the use and control of parking spaces.  (For more information, please visit  http://ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/pressco.pl?&Elist=17106&lang=en). Sep 15

SMART CITIES

STRATFORD MAKES 2012 SHORT LIST OF 21 WIRED CITIES
The City of Stratford has been named, along with 20 other global communities, to the 2012 global smart city competition.  The Intelligent Community Forum has announced that the 2012 competition theme is “Platforms for Innovation,” which will focus on how communities create unique and powerful innovation ecosystems as a basis for information and communications technology.  Other Canadian municipalities in The Smart21 of 2012 include Quebec City, Saint John and Winnipeg.  (For more information, please visit http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=Partner%20News&refno=653). Oct 28

TRANSPORTATION

CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY GUIDELINES
The goal of the City of Niagara Falls traffic impacts study is to assess the potential effects of traffic caused by proposed developments on local roads and to identify the range of road improvements required to ensure that the roadway system will operate effectively upon completion of the proposed development.  The city has prepared Traffic Impact Study Guidelines to provide a standardized framework for consultants to follow when submitting transportation studies for municipal staff review.  (For more information, please visit http://www.niagarafalls.ca/city-hall/transportation-services/traffic/traffic-impact-study-guidelines.aspx). Oct 28

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT

TORONTO’S LOWER DON LANDS PROJECT WINS AWARD
Waterfront Toronto’s Lower Don Lands Framework/Keating Channel Precinct Plan has won a 2011 Excellence in Planning Award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). The Lower Dons Lands comprise a 110 hectare (272) brownfield site at the eastern end of the Toronto harbour.  The site is located at the junction of two new waterfront communities currently under construction.  Planning for the area has had to account for challenges including flood protection, infrastructure and transportation needs and contaminated soil and groundwater.  The plan provides for the development of 13,000 new homes, 3 million square feet of commercial and retail space, and 53 hectares (130 acres) of parks and public space. (For more information, please visit  http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/uploads/documents/lower_don_lands_framework_plan___may_2010_15_mb_1.pdf). Oct 19

URBAN TRANSIT

WATERLOO REGION TRANSIT BENEFITS FROM TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT
Grand River Transit (GRT), a transit service provider in the Region of Waterloo, is adopting a driver management system with links to on-board computer systems that help dispatch, track and locate fleet vehicles.  The system has been designed to improve driver management and increase public safety.  GRT travels over 10 million kilometres annually in the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo on fixed route schedules, using a fleet of more than 220 vehicles and specialized transit for persons with disabilities.  (For more information, please visit http://www.grt.ca/en/index.asp). Sep 9

WASTE MANAGEMENT

“HALTON RECYCLES” DELIVERS WASTE MANAGMENT NEWS
Halton residents can now get the latest news about the Region’s waste management programs using two new social media tools and a blog site.  Waste management experts will be available through the business week to share information and engage residents in events, trends, waste collection notices, household waste diversion tips and sorting of waste items.  Residents will also be able to share their own personal tips and photos related to waste diversion.  (For more information, please visit www.haltonrecylces.ca). Sep 23

CANADA

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

VANCOUVER CALLS FOR AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING PROPOSALS
The City of Vancouver has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) for an undeveloped site at a location on Nanaimo Street, to seek innovative, liveable and cost-effective rental housing proposals for the development community.  Housing ideas could include modular, prefabricated or container forms of housing, as well as traditional construction.  Non-traditional housing forms have been shown to reduce construction time and on-site costs in pilot projects in Europe, Australia and the United States.  (For more information, please visit http://vancouver.ca/fs/bid/bidopp/EOI/RFEOI-PS11433.htm). Sep 23

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

GRANDE PRAIRIE PILOTS NEW ONLINE/MOBILE PLATFORM  
A new pilot program will enable City of Grande Prairie residents to report non-emergency issues and request services through an online and mobile platform.  The city is using SeeClickFix to accept online service requests for the Transportation Department only on trial basis, to determine if the service should be provided through other departments.  Residents can also create new “watch areas” to receive notification about issues reported in their communities.  (For more information, please visit http://www.cityofgp.com/spotlights/OnlineServiceRequest20111004.htm and www.SeeClickFix.com). Oct 6

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

NANAIMO ADDS ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES TO FLEET
The City of Nanaimo has added Nissan LEAF zero emission electric vehicles to its fleet as part of the city’s commitment to sustainability and to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  The city expects fuel and maintenance cost savings estimated at $20,000 to $25,000 per vehicle compared to a gas-powered compact car over the anticipated ten year life span of the vehicles.  The new vehicles will reduce carbon emissions by 80% compared to conventional vehicles.  (For more information, please visit http://www.nanaimo.ca/assets/Whats~New/PDFs/NR110915ZeroEmissionVehicles.pdf). Sep 23

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SURREY FIRST TO ADOPT MOBILE INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY
The City of Surrey is the first Canadian municipality to launch a new smart phone and mobile application for building inspections.  The application, available for Blackberry, iPhone and iPad devices, enables clients to schedule inspections using the devices rather than having to call City Hall, to further reduce red tape and increase efficiencies.  The program includes text messaging features and will let clients know when an inspector will arrive, enable rescheduling of appointments and will enable clients to receive updates on the status of building projects. (For more information, please visit http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/9974.aspx). Oct 28

LAND USE PLANNING

LEDUC’S AEROTROPOLIS PLAN UNPRECEDENTED
Leduc, Alberta City Council recently approved the Aerotropolis Integrated Land Use Compatibility Plan (AILUCP) http://www.leduc.ca/City_Government/Departments/Planning_and_Development/Aerotropolis_Integrated_Land-use_Compatibility_Plan.htm. The plan is designed to guide current and future development on lands abutting the Edmonton International Airport, to protect the airport’s present and future operational needs.  The term “aerotropolis,” coined by a North Carolina academic, refers to the range of land uses surrounding major international airports, organized by accessibility and noise compatibility factors.   Oct 3

MUNICIPAL OPERATION/ADMINISTRATION

NORTHERN ROCKIES RM ADOPTS NEW BY-LAW DISPUTE PROCESS
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) will implement a new system for disputing by-law violations such as parking tickets, animal control offences and property maintenance violations.  The By-law Dispute Adjudication System (BDAS), will replace the former Municipal Ticketing Information (MTI) System.  Disputes will now be handled through independent adjudicators/mediators, rather than the Provincial Court System.  The system streamlines minor by-law enforcement matters and saves taxpayer money.   (For more information, please visit http://www.northernrockies.ca/EN/meta/news/archives/2011/NewBylawDisputeAdjudicationSystem.html). Oct 21

MUNICIPAL AWARDS

2011 ALBERTA URBAN MUNICIPALITIES ASSOCIATION AWARDS
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) has recently announced the 2011 Municipal Award Winners including the Distinguished Service Award, the Dedicated Chief Administrative Officer Award and Municipal Sustainability Awards.  The Town of Hinton was recognized for its community consultation process in the development of its Community Sustainability Plan (CSP); the City of Red Deer was acknowledged for its approach to citizen input and the master planning and annual reporting processes; and the Town of Morinville was recognized for its comprehensive community engagement plan, which included advisory groups, workshops, surveys and awards.  (For more information, please visit http://www.auma.ca/live/MuniLink/Communications/Media+Releases?contentId=12170). Sep 30

TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION

CALGARY LAUNCHES NEW APP FOR PATHWAYS AND BIKEWAYS
City of Calgary Parks in conjunction with Transportation Planning, has released a new pathways and bikeways mobile application to enable city residents to navigate the city using alternative transportation methods.  Features include detour routes/closures, safety messages, information about parks and links to Twitter and Facebook. The application is based on the 2009-2011 Pathways and Bikeways Map, which will soon be updated to include local pathways and gravel trails, pathway connectors such as stairs and engineered walkways, on-street bikeways, bicycle parking and bus routes.  (For more information, please visit http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/city-calgary-pathways-bikeways/id464141446?mt=8). Sep 15

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

CALGARY’S REDEVELOPED EAST VILLAGE FOCUSES ON WALKABILITY
Once a shadowy urban area, Calgary’s East Village has become one of the best examples of pedestrian-friendly design in the city.  Area sidewalks have been widened and street intersections narrowed to help slow driver speeds. Roads rise at intersections to lift pedestrians into view, curbs have been designed to accommodate seniors who use walkers, there is “urban Braille” for the visually impaired, sidewalks have been illuminated, street furniture has been realigned to one side so as not to impede walkers and sidewalk design and materials reflect international standards for guide dogs. (For more information, please visit  http://www.calgarymlc.ca/explore-projects/east-village and http://www.vancouversun.com/news/calgary/Project+Calgary+East+Village+ideas+walkability/5547347/story.html). Oct 19

B.C. GOVERNMENT RELEASES NEW BROWNFIELD TOOLKIT
The new B.C. Former Service Station Toolkit is a website that provides resources to local governments and other stakeholders interested in the reuse and redevelopment of former service station sites.  Tools include a guide for local government, brownfield mapping resources, contaminated site registry information, case study examples and brownfield funding sources.  (For more information, please visit www.brownfieldsbc.com and www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca). Sep 30

U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

LEED PLATINUM NEW YORK CITY CO-OP
The Melody, a 63-unit LEED Platinum co-operative housing complex in the South Bronx will assist residents to adopt healthier life styles, while providing tenants with more energy efficient units.  The eight storey building offers on an on-site gym, outdoor fitness circuit, play areas and bike storage and provides design incentives for residents to use the stairs rather than the elevator.  Individual units are air-sealed  to prevent infiltration from adjacent apartments and the resulting lack of ducts improves fireproofing.  Bathrooms have been fitted with low use fixtures and heating for the building is provided by two high efficient sealed-combustion condensing boilers.  (For more information, please visit  http://www.greenlivingguy.com/greenliving/the-melody-is-the-first-residential-building-in-the-south-br.html). Sep 9

GREEN BUILDINGS

HENDERSON, NEVADA FACES GREEN POLICE STATION CHALLENGES
While many local governments are taking initiatives to improve the sustainability of their public buildings, those examining the design of green police stations face unique challenges, including security  issues and the need to operate around the clock. The City of Henderson’s North Community Police station, completed in 2009, is the first LEED (Gold status) certified government building in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.  The 35,000 square foot building incorporates both public and secure facilities and is set in a neighbourhood park, which hosts a range of community functions.  The building makes ample use of daylight through skylights, light wells, clerestory windows, enhancing security and eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. (For more information, please visit  http://urbanland.uli.org/Articles/2011/October/SternPolice). Oct 19