News from Smart Growth on the Ground

Smart Growth on the Ground (SGOG) is a unique program that works with BC municipalities to collaboratively produce a long term vision of a sustainable community that is based on Smart Growth Principles, created through an inclusive design process and directed by extensive community participation. The goal of the program is to create a concept plan that serves as a blueprint for implementation.
The City of Prince George is the fourth partner community – and the first northern community – to be selected for this program. Join us in Prince George for for our next set of workshops: a Learning Event on Climate Change and Housing on Wednesday, November 26, and a Priority Setting Workshop on November 27. See details below.
Established in 2003, SGOG is a partnership between the Design Centre for Sustainability at UBC, the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia, and Smart Growth BC.
JOIN US FOR 2 WORKSHOPS IN PRINCE GEORGE!
The Smart Growth on the Ground (SGOG) project is underway in Prince George, focusing on the creation of a community vision for a sustainable and vibrant future downtown core.
The next stage of the process involves sharing information through a Learning Event, and gathering community input to understand which issues are the highest priority for the downtown.
Two public workshops are scheduled for November 2008 in Prince George. These workshops work together as a pair, so please attend both if you can.
Workshops are open to the public. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.
View the website for more information about this project and previous SGOG communities.
November 26th Workshop: Learning Event
SGOG Learning Event: Climate Change and Housing
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:00 – 9:30 pm
Please join us to learn about two important downtown issues – climate change and housing. This event will explain climate change impacts, mitigation opportunities, and adaptation strategies. Learn how urban form and community design influences the production of greenhouse gases, calculate your carbon footprint and discover easy ways to use less energy. A downtown housing panel discussion will take place during the second half of the event. Affordable, market, and social housing options for the downtown will be discussed.
This workshop will be held in the Ramada Prince George Ballroom (444 George Street).
For more information:
Amanda Mitchell, amanda@smartgrowth.bc.ca
Dan Milburn, DMilburn@city.pg.bc.ca
View the website for more information.
November 27th Workshop: Priority Setting
Priority Setting Workshop: What’s most important?
Thursday, November 27, 2008 6:00 – 9:30 pm
Please join us to provide your input on a 25-year vision for the downtown. At this workshop, we will explore in more detail the 8 Principles that guide the Smart Growth on the Ground project and learn about the importance of walkable neighbourhoods. We will also set priorities that will help frame our collective vision for downtown Prince George. Come out and have your say on downtown priorities.
This workshop will be held in the Ramada Prince George Ballroom (444 George Street).
For more information:
Amanda Mitchell, amanda@smartgrowth.bc.ca
Dan Milburn, DMilburn@city.pg.bc.ca
View the website for more information.
Focusing on Energy
The SGOG project in Prince George offers the opportunity to bring together on-going research within the federal government on residential and commercial energy characterization and urban form (housing type, transportation) with integrated land use modeling for current and future energy characterization. In addition, we plan to evaluate the SGOG scenarios with respect to future energy supply, demand and associated costs of using different sources of energy. This work is being undertaken by Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada in conjunction with SGOG research activities.
For more information:
Sonia Talwar, Natural Resources Canada, stalwar@nrcan.gc.ca
Thank you to our funders and supporters
This project would not be possible without the generous support of our funders and other supporters. Smart Growth on the Ground and the City of Prince George would like to thank the following organizations for their support:
Northern Development Initiative Trust
BC Heritage Branch
BC Hydro
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Ramada Prince George
Vancity
Green Streets Canada – Tree Canada
BC Ministry of Environment
Prince George Community Foundation
Real Estate Foundation of BC
View the list of current and previous supporters
Thank you for your interest and support in the Smart Growth on the Ground program!
If you would like to receive updates and invitations specific to SGOG events in Prince George, please contact Outreach Coordinator Amanda Mitchell to be added to our contact list: amanda@smartgrowth.bc.ca
Smart Growth on the Ground is a partnership between Smart Growth BC, the Real Estate Institute of BC, and the Design Centre for Sustainability at UBC.