Quality of Life – GSEF2016

Local Services

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:01:53 +0000

Availability and diversity of local goods and services are essential to attracting and maintaining residents in a neighbourhood. Local meeting places for residents, businesses rooted in their communities, and local activities and services can reinforce the sense of belonging to a community. Though local public bodies are often the first point of contact between residents and the city administration, many times the SSE is solicited to develop and manage the services they provide, especially in the areas of recreation and culture. Other initiatives created in response to public need, including food cooperatives, daycares, and local financial services, have broader impact on the community, and as a result, in some instances, have been recognized and supported by their local governments.

Natural Resources

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:49:47 +0000

The efficient and transparent management of local natural resources, including the use of clean energy, waste management, and initiatives to improve energy efficiency, is essential to cities’ sustainable development and quality of life. Everywhere, SSE organizations are working to ensure equitable access to natural resources and their democratic management. For local governments, supporting these initiatives means ensuring a better management of local resources with all of the social impact and the growth in resiliency that this implies.

Active and Collective Transportation

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:49:24 +0000

City Of Montreal

Cities that invest in the development of active and collective transportation services ensure more than their inhabitants’ mobility: they reinforce local economic and social activities by promoting local travel, improving accessibility to and networking among local resources, helping to reduce pollution of public space, and fostering the development of pedestrian neighbourhoods. In most cases, the new services are being developed by community members who join forces to create innovative responses to needs that are not being met by existing services. Partnering with local governments ensures the realisation and improves the organisation of many of these initiatives and helps to ensure their sustainability.

“The Commons”

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:48:19 +0000

We are seeing more and more discussions about the efficiency and effectiveness of collectively managing “the commons” —natural resources, underused public spaces, open data and software, etc. Certain local governments, academics, and actors of the SSE have identified contexts where the SSE could be a solution to this end. This sub-theme will highlight projects already underway and under consideration to this effect.

Housing

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:47:30 +0000

Housing refers to much more than a building: the quality and accessibility of housing have social, economic and cultural repercussions for cities. Housing policies influence social diversity, participation in civic life, and residents’ access to public and local services, and have a major impact on quality of life in the city. Propriety forms and their monetary value are also determining factors. Whether it be through land trusts, housing cooperatives or housing for target populations in need, the SSE has shown itself to be a key partner of local governments that are seeking to design and implement projects to facilitate access to housing in the short and long term.