By John Towndrow, Chair, Transition Cornwall+
Just imagine a neighborhood that provides beautiful, affordable housing, an office, a retail shop or a light industry for employment, a local coffee shop and grocery store, playgrounds for children, schools within biking and walking distance, a regular bus service, access to waterfront recreation trails and a community garden to grow some food and finally, a community centre for neighborhood events and a weekly market.
Does this sound impossible? Good news! Here in Cornwall, it is possible to make this happen. The former Domtar property is perfectly positioned to build this kind of community development. It just takes some imagination, determination and faith that a new approach is within our grasp.
The benefits of a live, work, play neighborhood are incalculable. It eliminates the cost and time for daily commutes, it creates a seamless space between work and personal life, it builds social connections through integrated community design – people get to know each other better so less crime, enables flexible work schedules through on- demand resources – can combine on site and remote work styles, promotes mental health through balanced environment design.
Another huge benefit would be a massive reduction in energy costs. Most people could reserve their car for weekend trips and vacations. A centralized neighborhood plant could harness renewable or waste thermal energy (like geothermal or ambient air) and circulate it through underground pipes for shared climate control – we have the technology!
Safety and health are also benefits. With less car travel and more active transportation there is less chance for injury, and it leads to a healthier more active population. There is less air pollution and noise. These communities also are more accessible for folks with mobility issues.
Finally, the cost to the City of Cornwall is much less. The roads can be narrower so less capital and maintenance cost and with the denser development, there is more property tax income from a smaller footprint. Less car use also reduces the impact on emergency and healthcare services. Impact on mental health services are also reduced when people have easy access to green space and neighbours who know each other.
These communities do take time and effort to design carefully and to step outside the usual model that’s quick and easy. In the long-term though it’s worth it and I think Cornwall would love to be known for this kind of innovative development, plus the return on investment for the owner will be worth the effort. It can be a model for the future and a legacy for generations to come.
I can’t wait to be sitting on the steps that go down to the edge of the beautiful Cornwall Canal, sipping my coffee from the nearby Canal Café, so please hurry up and get this neighborhood moving.
For more information about Transition Cornwall+ visit us on Facebook or at: transitioncornwall.com
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