Old development patterns supported

I wouldn’t say that Peterborough has struggled to meet urban intensification targets.

In fact, it doesn’t appear as if it’s been any trouble at all. Look at our central core. It’s pock-marked by empty sites and void of vibrancy.

Yet, our suburban fringe continues to expand and Lansdowne St. is thriving.

Queens Park is offering leadership through guidelines to reshape cities to sustain themselves into an uncertain near future that will pose many challenges.

Meanwhile, we continue to support old patterns of unsustainable, unimaginative development. We can continue to keep a bag over our heads and ignore the truth that most other cities are measuring up to. But we do so at our own peril. Maintaining the status quo in urban growth, favouring suburban sprawl over intensification, is a dangerous path. Change will come to us one way or another. The message from the province is to start that process now. Interesting that this debate arises concurrent with the city’s search for a new director of planning. Imagine, in this culture, the champion we are going to land for that top job. Stay the course, don’t rock the boat, no new thinking, suppress imagination .... And even better, be prepared to abstain from mandated provincial guidelines. The new hire will also have to reconcile the hypocrisy of an administration that talks green, but acts backwards. Scott Donovan Bolivar St.