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Bring the Vision Home! Stop Desperation Planning

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development (HPD) was formally launched on August 23, 2005 by members of its executive, Michael Desnoyers and Jack Santa- Barbara.

Michael Desnoyers is founder, president and CEO of Etratech, a successful high tech business. Jack Santa-Barbara is a retired business executive, and former Co-Chair of Action 2020.

The Mission of Hamiltonians for Progressive Development is to articulate and support the implementation of a progressive approach to city planning and development. We believe Hamilton will prosper if and only if we follow the principles underlying Vision 2020.

Cities around the world which are prospering are ones which are learning to integrate economic, environmental and social goals in each and every major undertaking. These are the principles underlying Vision 2020. These ideas were developed in Hamilton over a decade ago, but have been more actively implemented elsewhere. We believe it is time to bring the Vision home.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development believes that Hamilton is falling behind because our municipal development processes are outdated and flawed. City Council does not appear to be following agreed rules and principles in the development plans it approves. We do not seem to be implementing Vision 2020 as it was originally conceived. Our municipal government appears to pursue economic development which neglects social and environmental goals that are equally important for our quality of life. Hamiltonians deserve better.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development regard economic issues as vitally important to our community. But all economic development is not the same. We believe it takes more than traditional approaches to economic development to generate community prosperity. The community embraced this principle and expressed it in Vision 2020 over a decade ago. This vision remains alive in the minds and hearts of many Hamiltonians despite what we see as a lack of leadership from the City in achieving it.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development believes that economic prosperity is possible only when social and environmental objectives are actually implemented with each and every major development decision. This simple principle is at the heart of Vision 2020. We believe the current approach has hampered rather than benefited the economic prosperity of Hamilton.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development believes in a second central principle of Vision 2020 – true community prosperity can only occur with broad community engagement in major municipal decisions. This approach requires the creative input and participation of all sectors of our community, not just those with special interests and influence. None of us alone have the answers. Together we can bring prosperity to Hamilton.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development seek to expand and encourage community engagement in major decisions. We believe it is essential to generate confidence throughout the community that broadly held community views will be respected in major decisions. We seek to foster genuine community participation to overcome the distrust and alienation generated amongst many people who are deeply committed to Hamilton.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development seeks to revive these two basic principles of the vision – considering prosperity in the broadest possible terms, and increasing community engagement. We seek to encourage and support City Council in actually implementing the vision. It has been over a decade since the vision was developed, but there is little evidence of real progress. Much more can and should be done.

The Hamiltonians for Progressive Development approach requires a new way of thinking about how to bring creativity into municipal planning so that all three determinants of sustainable prosperity– economic, social and environmental – are allowed to flourish when we implement a new plan. This approach must be at the core of all our thinking for a vibrant and prosperous community.

The caring and creative forces which are abundant in our community need to be brought to bear in planning a prosperous future. Hamiltonians for Progressive Development believes that considerably more involvement and engagement with the broader community is essential to bring the vision home to Hamilton.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development will therefore work to broaden community engagement in the planning process, and to encourage municipal decisions which are transparent, respectful of differing views, and open to innovative ideas.

We invite all Hamiltonians who share our concerns to bring their energies and ideas to work together and move our community in a positive direction. Contact us at progressivedevelopment@gmail.com.

We will be organizing a number of events over the coming months to share ideas about how planning activities can be broadened and make a real contribution to quality of life for all Hamiltonians.

In addition to bringing forward some progressive development ideas, we feel it is also important to clearly identify what we believe is not working and what needs changing.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development intends to actively oppose major municipal decisions that ignore the vision, that do not enhance quality of life in Hamilton, or that only serve narrow interests.

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development feel a new approach to planning and development is essential for our city’s well being. Key aspects of our approach are summarized in the following table.