Although the TEDx presentation was indeed relevant and well focussed, the whole event reeked of irony and hypocrisy.

The presenters offered a strong case for city development to be planned FIRST by community members who identify values and their vision of their desired city. Then, City and Developers should proceed with planning and implementation: planning through Community ground up, NOT Authorities down. The presenters clearly debunked the use of Town Hall meetings for community feedback, long after the planning and design are completed, as ineffectual lip service.

However, the event was sponsored by BMI, the very developers who, in private discussion with City Council, had already planned major development for our City. Consultation from the community for these plans was offered as an after fact town hall meetings, in which community members contributions were basically mostly dismissed.

In the hallway entrance to the TEDx event was a large poster design of BMI’s plans for further development in Stratford: many high rise buildings will be coming in our downtown core. The plan is cooked and already roasting. This is a blatant “slap in the face” and a total contradiction of the subject of the talk.

I was also dismayed that the organizing committee of the TEDx talk was comprised of men only, including our ex mayor Dan Matheson, who we all know for his abject dismissal of community involvement in the plans for a glass factory in Stratford. And he will now represent projects that favour FIRST community involvement in city planning? I unfortunately do not know the backgrounds of the other member organizers.

I came away inspired by the TEDx’s talk presenters, but with a bitter taste in my mouth for what seems like a covert attempt by the organizers to pacify community members into an illusion of interest in community participation in city planning.

But it’s not enough to rail against the folks one disagrees with. One must offer an alternative vision that addresses human and soul enriching environments, in step with the requirements of our rapidly changing world. When I think of the development of the Krug Factory neighbourhood, I dream of a beautiful park, with shade and fruit trees, flowers, walking trails, perhaps a community garden, water ponds, and yes, a few low key buildings for housing, including renovated housing units in the existing factory building.

The design offered by BMI in the larger core area shows potential for housing, and indeed gives us ideas of how low key housing units could be built, offering residents close access to downtown core services and life. It only needs to be planned with awareness and sensitivity to the quality of life style and needs offered future residents, both young and older adults.

I do not think it is too late to appeal to our local government to embrace a shift toward a participatory society, in which Council, for-profit businesses, interest groups and individual citizens together plan the City’s development with consensus and collaboration, but also with a clear understanding that a bottom-up approach needs to drive the process for effectiveness and success. It calls for the City to relax some rules and regulations in order to allow for innovation and flexibility.

The excellent presenters at the TEDx talk clearly encouraged us to come together to design our City according to our values and vision of a healthy, life-enriching environment for all.

It is my wish for all of us in this beautiful and potentially rich City we love.

— Thérèse Chatelain