To spur its economy and freshen its look, the City of Saint John made plans to overhaul its aging water system, reduce poverty in five struggling neighbourhoods, and clean up the unsightly and polluted downtown Marsh Creek waterway.
The community sustainability plan - four years in the making - seeks to improve the quality of life, environmental health and economic fortunes of a city with a shrinking, older population, as well as high poverty and unemployment rates, and a hollowed-out urban core.
The 20-year improvement plan would align city development projects with the long-term aspirations of residents, as set out in the city's 20-year community social goals.
Results
| Environmental | Economic | Social |
|---|---|---|
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Challenges
- Revitalizing an urban core hollowed out by commercial development along city-circling highways
- Finding financing for costly drinking water infrastructure repairs
- Aligning the interests and priorities of disparate planning participants
Lessons learned
- Recognize the importance of collaboration in a process involving residents, agencies, various government levels.
- Establish a dedicated community-led planning team to provide continuity when governments change.
- Make sure plans include specific, measurable goals to keep ideas active and prevent them from gathering dust.
Resources
- City of Saint John
- Our Saint John - Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, December 2008
Partners and Collaborators
Project Contact
Kimberley Graham
Manager, Programs and Priorities Strategic Services
Saint John, NB
T. 506-658-2919
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