The URBAN ISSUES PROGRAM grew out of a series of discussions held between urban planners, architects and developers in North Hatley, Quebec in 1990. From those discussions, the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation realized there was a need to support innovative, community-based approaches to urban conservation. In order to protect, nurture and build upon the richness of this country's cities, urban residents needed to look anew at the relationships between a city's built and natural environments, its commerce and development, its government and people.
Today, the need to preserve what is best in our urban communities remains as compelling as ever. Across Canada, people are searching for ways to provide a healthy, enriching environment for themselves and their children amid the complexities of city life. They are coming together, contributing time and energy in the hope of building more vibrant, long lasting neighborhoods. By working together, they help solve some of the key issues affecting their daily lives: housing, the environment, community development. Together, they are preserving a rich and valuable past and are creating and maintaining lively, energetic cities for future generations.
The URBAN ISSUES PROGRAM nurtures and sustains community projects through a combination of financial support, networking opportunities and educational activities. To date, 60 community groups across Canada have received financial support for projects focused on issues such as affordable housing, food sustainability, protection of urban spaces, alternative transportation and the cultivation and preservation of cultural traditions. While diverse in nature, the projects illustrate how local groups can create lasting change by building relationships between various community groups. The projects also demonstrate the value of urban conservation and the importance of investing in and preserving a city's neighborhoods.
We encourage community groups from across the country to explore this web site and to be inspired by the work that is being done to preserve and enhance life in Canada's cities.
