planning

For the past few weeks I have been privileged to observe my sister (and her group) develop and create a design plan for a piece of urban land in uptown Waterloo. Since her education at UW for planning, I have grown considerably interested in planning. I will even report that if I had not pursued teaching, I probably would have studied planning. And so, I am dedicating this blog to all the committed and undervalued planners of our times. My sister and I regularly discuss proper and appropriate land use. I am significantly bothered by ignorant and illogical decisions made by various people that result in environmental and social catastrophe. Let me explain.

1. suburbia: In a short sentence, suburbia has created that which it sought to eliminate (among other things): community cohesiveness. In suburbia, we see many large houses, double-car garages, excessive spaces, wide roads. We do not see small businesses, amenities, bakeries, community engagements, or simply people together.

2. low density housing: In a city where growth is increasing rapidly, logic and simplicity show that high density housing within downtown or city limits will assist to stabilize the economy, the environment, and preserve farm land needed to grow food. Yet, the city expands its limits to accommodate for people pleading for more space, bigger houses, bigger cars, bigger.... While driving to volleyball, work, etc. I drive past signs boasting of development and lots for sale, I debate the wise use of land for farming or growth development.

3. environmentally sensitive lands: Respect. Stewardship. Appreciation. Love. Just some of the words that come to mind when I consider how we should actually be treating our environment. Instead of permanently damaging our precious water sources and ecosystems by erecting buildings on land, we must recognize the continual consequences of our actions. I think specifically of the Waterloo Morraine.

Just a few thoughts. Seems this blog took a slightly different twist than intended at the beginning. No doubt I will have future posts about environmental responsibility and stewardship (or I like to refer to as eco-consciousness), especially once I begin my course in May about the environmental and global responses. I also recognize I've written mostly about problems. A follow-up blog shall come soon offering some suggestions, although the most basic is this: waste not, want not, use less.