Diversity and Urban Policy: The Case of Planning

1. Diversity and Urban Policy:The Case of Planning Caroline Andrew Centre on Governance University of Ottawa Presentation at the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association Conference,Thursday October 13, 2005

2. A sixth requirement is the elaboration of new notions of citizenship - multicultural and urban - …This involves nothing less than willingness, on the part of host societies, to be redefined in the process of migrant integration, as well as openness to the new definition of common identity that emerges through an always contested notion of the common good and shared destiny of all residents” Leonie Sandercock University of British Columbia ‘Sustaining Canada’s Multicultural Cities’ In C. Andrew Our diverse cities (2004)

3. “The initial impact of multiculturalism is to bare cultural biases of purportedly neutral planning assumptions and policies… Culturally sensitive planning is in its early phases. It comes in the form of allowing exceptions and variances from planning policies and standards on a case-by-case basis. Planning assumptions and standards are being called into question on a cultural basis, as they have been on gender and affordability.” Mohammad Qadeer Queen’s University “Urban Planning and Multiculturalism in Ontario, Canada” in the H. Thomas and V. Krishnarayan (eds.) Race Equality and Planning (1994).

4. “Multicultural planning is not a doctrine but rather a process of challenging traditional beliefs and focusing on citizen-centered planning outcomes. It involves active engagement in community development, education, communication, and integration.” Wendy Au City of Vancouver “Planning Amidst Diversity” Plan Canada 40-4, 2000

5. So - we can look at 3 kinds of planning activities: • Official Plans • Specific Zoning Questions • Community Consultation/Participation

6. Official Plans Ottawa 2020 (adopted 2003) plus 4 other growth management plans • Human Services Plan • Arts Heritage Plan • Economic Strategy • Environmental Strategy Was diversity taken into account?

7. 7 Guiding Principles to overall 2020 Plan • No explicit recognition of diversity Human Services Plan • 5 Strategic Directions • Number 1: Diversity and Inclusion • “Diversity is an emerging value for the City of Ottawa” (p. 20) • Recognition of policy gaps • Not much analysis of intersections of diversity Arts and Heritage Plan • No explicit mention in vision, mission and 5 strategic directions. • One of 7 “unlocked” strategies • “Foster diverse, creative community activity”

8. “A fifth requirement is a better understanding of how urban policies can and should address cultural difference. This includes issues of design, location and process. For example, if various cultures use public and recreational space differently, then accommodating these differences may require designing new kinds of public spaces, or re-designing new ones…

9. Specific Zoning Decisions One unfortunate Ottawa example… Zoning decision on funeral home Attempts by Chinese-Canadian community to raise the issue of the cultural incompatibility of funeral homes in residential areas. Technical criteria for zoning are embedded in the dominant cultural norms.

10. Community Consultation/ Participation • Ottawa 20/20 • Extensive public consultation • But mostly focused around neighborhoods • Human Service Plan • Roundtable on Diversity and final version much stronger than draft plan

11. Conclusion Ottawa 20/20 Some good beginnings (Human Services Plan) but… Plans adopted - spring and summer 2003 Budget crisis - fall 2003 Ottawa 20/20 set aside It may be coming back. One of Community Protective Services Priority projects 2005 • Neighborhood Planning Will it take diversity into account?