What Makes A 'Good City'?

In this the excerpt from a speech delivered at the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada's conference on Challenging Cities in Canada, Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson relates findings from her "Good Cities" Tour. In Calgary, she observed the redevelopment of a Canadian Forces barracks into a new mixed-use and mixed-income community. In Saint John, local officials are agressively recruiting immigrants while attempting to redevelop the waterfront area. Quebec City is encouraging the creation of space for artists while the City of Saskatoon is partnering with a First Nations reserve to develop industrial space for small businesses. In all the cases cited by Clarkson, the deliberate efforts of multiple stakeholders are cultivating a stronger sense of community, resulting in cities where people will both live and want to live.

Thanks to Geoffrey Singer