Minimizing the Frequency of Wildfires

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If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires (like Alberta, BC, and California), then you know that wildfires are not fun to experience. Even if you are at a distance away, they spread with such speed and can impact cities that are miles away. I personally have experienced being in close proximity to a wildfire and I can tell you: if I had the choice, I would have skipped out on the experience; however, sometimes in order to truly understand the severity of a situation, you need to experience it first-hand and that’s what compelled me to write this article. That being said, I have not needed to evacuate the cities I was in, and yet the smell of smoke was so strong that it can make anyone (especially vulnerable individuals who have a sensitivity to smell) become ill. Imagine the impacts that the community experiencing the wildfire directly needed to go through. I’ve went into a coughing fit and had my eyes sting walking through smoke. As a person who loves adventuring outdoors, I quickly loved the idea of staying inside and and closing all windows to make sure the smoke does not seep through. If it does, I doubt any amount of febreeze can fix the intense scent.

I’ve had the opportunity to view Alberta at its best (clear skies and sunny days), but I’ve also seen it during its wildfire days. The smoke made it difficult to see great distances away. Mountains that were usually very clear to view have been covered by intense smoke. Such beautiful landscapes have suddenly lacked energy (probably because the majority of people were hiding indoors) and was very gloomy.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed the following effects on smoke on one’s health: coughing, trouble breathing normally, stoning eyes, a scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, fast heartbeat, tiredness, an asthma attack, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

The bottom line: healthy or not, smoke can be damaging to an individuals health.

Not to mention, of course, the environment’s health is at stake here. But for the sake of this article, I am going to focus on the human aspect of wildfires and leave the natural aspect for another day.

It is important to note that not all wildfires are bad, as some fires play a natural part in the landscape and we must learn to manage and address them accordingly; however, most fires are actually human caused.

Approximately 85% of wildfires in the US are human caused. 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans. That means it could have been prevented. Of course, global warming is making fires easier to get triggered, with warmer temperatures and more sensitive natural grounds. But that just means we need to be more careful. Not all of these acts of arson will be intentional. Often times, individuals lack awareness of what can cause a wildfire.

The U.S. Department of Interior and American Red Cross are among a few organizations who have highlighted ways in which we can prevent wildfires. I encourage every individual to check out the linked articles above. Furthermore, since every geographic location is unique in terms of its environmental context, please contact that particular city authority (whether through their website or if you would like to speak to an official in-person) you are living in and visit in terms of how to best go about preventing environmental damage.

If we learn how to take proactive action and try to prevent these events from occurring more than necessary, we are lowering the amount of human deaths, human illnesses, property damage, and environmental damage caused by wildfires. The U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal predicted that by 2030 there will be an increase of 14% in extreme fire events. That increase will become by 30% by 2050. Imagine if we could try to prevent these events from occurring more than what is natural so that we can use these funds to address other pressing issues. We need to educate ourselves on where we live. If you are visiting a wildfire prone area, please learn about the area and how to go about your visit safely so that you are not negatively impacting the community you are visiting and the people surrounding you. Consider the impact these events will have on yourself, others and the environment.

Until next time,

Adena

Becoming The 15 Minute City

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It’s no secret most cities are designed to best accommodate the automobile. I grew up in cities that were definitely not walkable.

I am one who loves walking over any other form of transportation; however, I cannot afford to waste a great amount of time moving about. Before I became reliant on the automobile, there was a brief time I was using transit; however, it became unbearable with its unreliable schedule. I have seen transit services be delayed by hours. We cannot expect individuals to rely on transit if the services are not well structured or reliable. If this problem persists, the reliance on the vehicle will without a doubt continue.

So what is the 15 minute city?

Carlos Moreno has developed the concept of the 15 minute city and has made it a popular term and vision among the urban planners in 2016. The idea of the 15 minute city is that everything you need is within 15 minutes walking or cycling distance from your home. All of your necessities are within reach.

Some examples of these necessities are the following: grocery stores, green spaces, educational facilities, daycare and other child care facilities, religious facilities, gyms, health facilities, and more.

How many of us can truly say that all of these necessities are within reasonable walking distance? Not many. There are some cities who have mastered the embodiment of active modes of transportation, some of which are Amsterdam and New York City; however, most cities, unless you are part of the population who lives in the downtown core, cannot say they are within close walking distance of their needs.

There are many benefits to having a 15 minute city layout. The Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) highlighted several, including that it is more socioeconomically equitable. Not everyone can afford a vehicle or its associated maintenance costs, especially with gas prices rising.

The 15 minute city will provide for a more accessible city for all individuals, no matter your income level. All individuals deserve to be accommodated and taken care of. Another benefit the CNU has highlighted is that the 15 minute city will reduce fuel usage, and in turn better mitigate global warming affects. Not to mention, since services are laid out to be in more convenient locations, individuals can save time and have a more improved quality of life.

Active modes of transportation improve not only our own health and well-being, but the health and wellbeing of the environment as well.

The challenge becomes: how do we change a city that is already built to best accommodate the automobile? Obviously, if we were starting from scratch this question would be a lot easier to answer; however, that is not the reality of the situation. These cities are already in place and there is no demolishing everything and starting over. Another challenge is that each year brings additional population growth.

We need to revitalize what is already built. Instead of building outwards, build inwards. We cannot solve the problem of our cities currently being auto-centric by expanding outwards and creating additional sprawl. That is adding to the problem, not resolving it. Building inwards requires more creative solutions; however, if done right, we can transform our cities to be built for people, not the automobile.

We need to take each community and transition it to mini cities within the larger city. Every city will be different in terms of how to restructure them. There is no one-size fits all solution. However, the end goal is the same: we need to strive to better serve the urban population without spreading outwards and degrading the environment even further.

Make sure to connect with me or subscribe to get notified on future posts!

Until next time, Adena

Why I Love California: From The Perspective of an Urban Planner

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I love California. The sun, vibrant and colourful homes, beaches, and lack of snow have made me fall in love with the state (even though I am Canadian and I hate to admit it but I can’t help but crave the snow from time to time..). Having family in Northern California, I have come to visit the state frequently. It is an area I always look forward to coming back to, as it has become something so familiar. From a planning perspective, I have always admired the state. That does not mean that it does not have its own challenges and shortcomings. Every region has ways in which they can improve. The perfect region does not exist. What we can do is continuously enhance cityscapes and minimize the negative implications of issues. It is an ongoing battle and effort. However, for this weeks article, I decided to focus on the positive and zero in on what I personally love about Northern California.

It is Innovative and Modern

California is home to a number of the most innovative and transformative companies. The overall atmosphere is very much looking for new and modern ways to tackle issues. I always feel like the next big thing will happen here. I love seeing billboards all across Northern California on the latest device or piece of innovation. It is no secret that Northern California is home to Silicon Valley, the official headquarters for many tech tycoons, such as Apple, Facebook, and Google. The area is very much entrepreneurship-driven, making the area a fuel for economic growth.

It is Diverse

I absolutely love how diverse California is. I have met many different types of people in the state, and I love how all individuals are welcomed. There is no ethic or racial group that makes up the majority of California’s population. According to the 2020 Census, 39% are latino, 35% of residents are white, 15% are Asian American or Pacific Islander, 5% are black, 4% multiracial, and less than 1% are Native American or Alaska Natives. Racism and social discussion is at a minimum. I’m all for inclusivity and accommodating individuals of all backgrounds.

The Architecture

I love how the buildings tend to be constructed with such vibrancy, incorporating colours that step away from the typical neutral look we tend to see when it comes to buildings. San Francisco’s ‘painted ladies’ is evidence of this. The painted ladies symbolizes the victorian style buildings constructed in the city beginning in the 1960s. They tend to use at least three colours in order to further enhance its design and appeal.

Healthy Living

Okay this one is not a planning matter, but a healthy population is essential to the quality of life of an area. In 2020, Night Northern California cities ranked among the healthiest American cities. This evaluation was made using 43 metics assessing four core factors: food, green space, healthcare, and fitness. Northern California has an abundance of green spaces, top notch hospitals, and vegan/vegetarian/healthy produce culture.

Beautiful Environmental Areas

I absolutely love how much opportunity there is to explore and hike In environmental areas. Since California is a mountainous area, the amount of hikes in the state is endless. It provides for a great opportunity for residents and visitors to really appreciate its unique landscape and adjacency to the ocean. Whether you want a short or longer hike, California has something for everyone’s comfort zone!

That sums up my top reasons why I love Northern California! I have not gotten a chance to explore and look into Southern California in depth. I am sure once I do, an article will come out highlighting my thoughts. Definitely look out for that one in the future.

Until next time,

Adena

Strategies to Better Involve Citizens in Planning Initiatives

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I already emphasized the importance of citizens becoming more involved in the urban planning process and there is a reason for that emphasis. Residents are the individuals living in a city and experiencing it day-to-day; therefore, their first hand experience on the benefits and issues that they observed while residing in a community are essential to understand.

It is one thing to read about a place from a book or a theoretical perspective. It is another to experience it first-hand. Even within one city, there are many different districts and areas that may potentially have completely different benefits and drawbacks. Interacting with citizens across all of these distinct areas is important. That way, planners and other key stakeholders can better ensure that their plans and methods seek to consider those residing within these different regions.

Planners have identified the importance of having greater citizen participation in the planning process in recent years; however, it is still evident that the issues persist. The public continues to feel not heard and rebel as a result of lack of trust in the professionals formulating the plans that in theory should seek to help increase their quality of life.

Before I became a planner, I am guilty of complaining about city projects and the lack of public meetings. I did not understand why certain decisions were made. My lack of knowledge ultimately did result in me being resentful with governmental figures at the time. I did not know why they partook in a certain action; therefore, how can I understand why it is beneficial? Now I better understand both sides: the perspective of the public as well as a professional. I want to work towards bridging this gap.

So what can planners do to better accommodate citizens?

Encourage citizen participation by reaching out through multiple mediums. For instance, those who are younger may be reached through social media platforms while elderly individuals may be better accessed through news ads as well as word of mouth.
Implement participation methods that would engage individuals of all ages and backgrounds. A public meeting in which you are simply informing the public, and open the floor for objection, will not engage the majority of the public. In the above instance, planners already came up with the plans and are telling the public “okay we did not need your input beforehand, would anyone like to object?” Instead, a two-way conversation will lead to better engagement and results. Having members of the public discuss with planners and other key stakeholders what their opinions and hopes are will allow planners to incorporate their feedback into the draft of the plan. Revisions done after a plan is already complete is more difficult to follow through with.
Set public sessions at times that would increase the amount of participation. For instance, Monday at 1pm is likely not going to have a huge turnout, as adults may be working and kids are in school.
It is no secret that there may be knowledge gap between planners and the general public. For instance, the general public may not familiar with the terms used by planning professionals. That instantly creates a divide between the two groups, as it makes it difficult for both parties to effectively communicate. Planners should speak to members of the public in terms they would better understand. That way, the general public is able to understand what planners are trying to accomplish. The lack of trust ultimately results in many issues down the line. The public will not believe that planners are acting in their best interest; as a result, they may rebel on any decision, even if it has benefits for them long-term.

What can citizens do to better participate in projects in their community?

Think about a project in terms of how it will better the broader community. It is easy to think about your own individual needs; however, in order to better our cities, we must think in a collective manner. We should not only think about ourselves. For instance, how will a project impact all income levels? It should seek to benefit all groups, not place a disadvantage on anyone (e.g. low-income individuals).
Follow your city on social media platforms and look out for public meetings and sessions. Attend them. Respectfully voice your opinion. Discuss matters with other citizens and seek to learn and attain different perspectives.
Seek knowledge about your city in terms of its issues. That way, awareness is made and action can be had. For instance, alert yourself if there are environmental issues and its consequences if it remains unsolved. That awareness will lead to action that you will take to ultimately reduce your carbon footprint and help in mitigating the consequences of an issue. Ignorance tends to result in inaction.
Volunteer with your local community/city to help with projects. Do your part to ensue the enhancement in the quality of life of your city

The above strategies help in ensuring that there is better and more effective communication between planners and the general public. When a decision is validated by multiple viewpoints, it becomes stronger and more powerful. Even if not every opinion will be acted upon, the idea that everyone felt heard and better understands the other side will allow for greater trust and transparency.

Until next time,

Adena

The Importance of Collaboration Between Planners and Citizens to Produce Greater Change

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It makes sense that my first blog post serves as an explanation of why I believe that planners, as well as citizens, need to work together to understand what is required to enhance their communities and ensure they become prosperous. This particular post is a result of what I have learned and observed from my field thus far; therefore, all opinions are my own.

Firstly, it is important to discuss the role of planners. The role of an urban planner is to ensure the creation of sustainable, viable, safe, cohesive, healthy, and well-designed cities. Urban planners, along with various other key stakeholders, set out proposals and policies in order to achieve these objectives. These are essential to allowing communities to move forward; however, one key element is often disregarded: the support and commitment from members of the public. With this key element, even greater change can be ensued.

One example is with natural disasters, such as earthquakes and wildfires. Urban planners and other key stakeholders can set out policies to minimize the risk and damage caused from these events, such as through education, requiring different materials and safety standards for buildings or prohibiting particular buildings from being in these high risk zones. However, there are also additional actions that can be taken to ensure that the risk of these events are further minimized. One example in particular to reduce risk of wildfire damage is to plant fire-prone plants around resident homes or ensuring that they have insurance to protect them from any damage caused.

The average citizen is not aware of the technicalities of city planning, but they are impacted daily on the associated decisions. It is difficult to achieve meaningful change without their support and commitment.

Another generic example would be with encouraging recycling. Cities can install more recycling bins in an attempt to encourage the act of recycling; however, unless citizens feel compelled to throw out their recycling in these bins, the problem will continue in some magnitude. Two-way dialogue needs to take place in order for such policies to be a success.

This blog will assist citizens in better understanding what they can do to help their communities thrive. Planners will also be able to learn from others and identify how to best move forward with their areas of expertise. Those who love to travel will also be able to understand a city’s history and explore its characteristics. The cities we live in are a reflection of the peoples’ values and ideals. We can continuously learn from these spaces and unravel what is behind the built walls.

Until next time,

Adena