IMCL is delighted to announce that the 55th IMCL Conference will take place in Ottawa, May 14-18, 2018, with the very active partnership of the City, and will focus on the immensely important theme of Healthy, 10-Minute Neighborhoods.
Efforts are under way around the world to create healthy neighborhoods where walking, biking and public transit are more attractive, reducing dependence on the car. We all know this is the most important way to assure an active, sustainable future for our grandchildren, and to fight climate change.
New transit-oriented development encourages the creation of walkable mixed-use neighborhoods around transit stations. Light rail, streetcar lines and buffered bike routes in existing residential neighborhoods spur higher density infill mixed-use. Suburban shopping malls are finally being replaced with mixed-use residential, office, commercial and service facilities. In the developing world, dense new cities are rising, promoted as “green” and “smart”.
But are these developments as good as they should be? Do they promote social health, community, contact with nature, equity, and well-being? Are they good environments for children and elders? Are they human scale? Do they include neighborhood squares and parks, a mix of all income and age groups, workplaces, schools, civic facilities, and services, farmers markets, festivals – and beauty for all? Are they creating healthy, 10-minute neighborhoods?
Ottawa is an ideal setting for us to discuss these issues. In 2018 the City is opening the light metro Confederation Line, its new rapid transit system, and unveiling plans for several new neighborhoods around transit stations. The City is welcoming IMCL and providing a most hospitable context for discussion of these important issues.
Join us in Canada’s beautiful capital city, Ottawa for an exciting conference where we will share and examine the best models as we pursue the goal of promoting healthy, sustainable, equitable 10-minute neighborhoods.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Suzanne H. Crowhurst Lennard, Ph.D.(Arch.)
Co-founder & Director, IMCL Conference
