News challenges for the cities

The development of cities and towns entails new challenges. Besides the various issues relating to urban planning, we’ve seen a growing interest over the past few decades in ecological issues and in the creation of environments that promote healthy lifestyles.
What began as a purely ecological notion has evolved into one that is much more holistic and which puts the emphasis on structuring the “city” around its people.
For environmental reasons, as well as economic and social ones, these principles need to be part of any urban development framework.
The various consultation committees have become great tools in helping municipalities decide which actions to put into place. These consultation processes take into account public opinion and lead to the prioritization and harmonization of development.
There has also been a great deal of talk about changes in practices with respect to environments that promote healthy lifestyles, but these notions are still somewhat vague.
On this subject, the first Healthy Lifestyle Gala will take place on June 18. The winning projects will be those that feature a global approach in the development of municipalities and communities.
While consultation committees offer citizens the opportunity to share their views, we know that informal meetings can sometimes yield better results... one such occasion is Neighbours Day. People seldom take the time to come together and talk. Yet dialogue allows people to increase their collective intelligence and find solutions together.
Communities must however meet another challenge: that of innovation.
«Innovation has nothing to do with how many Resource & Development dollars you have... It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it». Steve Jobs, Fortune magazine, 1998.
The usual standards are changing, as are the practices and processes. And there’s no shortage of toolkits on the subject. In light of this fact, the group of partners has launched an online platform that brings together the practices and know-how that have been developed in our territory as well as success stories from other areas.
Some of the tools you’ll find on the platform might just be those of a Gala award recipient!
Check your emails; wiki authorizations will be issued gradually... 

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