Reflections and visions
At this past month’s Blogger Meet-Up, good friends Adriano Ciotoli and Pina Ciotoli ( the brother and sister partnership that brings Windsor the most-excellent WindsorEats.Com) asked me how long we’ve been producing ScaleDown. After hearing my response - it was a year in June ( June 23rd, to be precise) - they lambasted me because I didn’t promote some sort of anniversary celebration. You see, they have a much greater marketing I.Q. than I do, and they knew that I missed a big oppourtunity.
So, I got to thinking about what has happened with ScaleDown since it started out as a venue for my solitary ramblings on the physical state of our city and ways which we could share to make it better. I’m not going to go into a big history lesson because, seriously, we haven’t really accomplished that much. We have accomplished much more than I have ever dreamed, but in the grand scheme of things we are still sitting out in the hinterlands nestled amongst Windsor’s “Naysayers”. Good company mind you (I really respect what my blogger-brethen has accomplished in this city) but not the type of history that warrants any rambling memoirs - yet.
So, since that first blogspot post we have attracted a small handful of dedicated writers to the mission and vision that ScaleDown wishes to honour. Josh Biggley was the first to join (and the first to leave. He’s enjoying his new home and career in Prince Edward Island. Way to go, Josh!) I got to know Josh from my Green Party organizing/candidacy days a decade ago and knew him to have his head screwed on straight though we housed differing political viewpoints. Next came Mark Boscariol, who was one our first and most passionate of regular commentors. Well, after a very brief discussion with Mark about getting involved a little more deeply in the project, he was on board in a BIG way! Same goes for James Coulter. James wrote some of the most well thought-out observations by any commentors yet, and he was very interested in furthering ScaleDown’s goals. ScaleDown’s very lucky to have all these guys playing a part.
Now, I’m hoping to get some female voices contributing so we can get some more sane discussions going, but I digress 
We’ve invested some cash, held a big “coming out” party in celebration of our shiny new multi-media website by inviting noted author Chris Turner to town to speak. We’ve hosted community forums on the importance of urban design to Windsorite’s quality of life that have attracted expert panelists and a growing number of interested participants - including some of our city councillors. We’ve landed some national news coverage. We’ve also taken advantage of the University of Windsor’s community radio station (CJAM 91.5 FM) to launch ScaleDown Radio, a weekly hour-long (now Mondays from noon ’till 1:00) spoken word program dedicated to the issues and topics we cover on this site. We are building coalitions with our fellow bloggers (regular guest host Andrew Foot from International Metropolis, and this Monday we’ll have Chris Schnurr snagging the guest host seat in the studio) by having some of them play a part in this as well.
We’ve built a strong network throughout this city and are a regular read by thousands of people (including many key decision makers in our Halls Of Power) We’ve laid the groundwork for an influential community of citizens who honestly care about this city and want to see it move beyond the status quo into a more sustainable and superior quality of life. Of this, we are very honoured to have played a part.
But where do we go from here?
What are the goals of ScaleDown for Year Two?
Well, I for one see Scaledown as a part of something bigger. That’s you, in case you didn’t know. Technicaly, I want to see the site grow into more of a multi-media site than it is now. I want to attract more writers (some female as I stated) as well as video/audio producers. I truly feel that if more people could “feel” what it would be like to experience these ideas of which we speak, the more accepted those ideals would become. Something like StreetFilms has done would make for a big breakthrough in Windsor. This is also why we were so interested in estalishing ScaleDown Radio as a part of our repertoire. Not everyone wants to sit reading pages of text on a computer monitor, yet still may be interested in what we have to share.
I also see us coordinating our efforts with other bloggers, perhaps combining with them into a larger force. We already know that Windsor’s blogosphere has built itself into a daily habit for thousands of Windsorites, so now would be the perfect time for a little more cooperation between us. Who knows, maybe we can build ourselves into a real competitor to the Windsr Star (eventually).
However, one of the most important items on our “to-do” list is to move more from the “talking” to more of the “doing”. This is the one thing we hear most at our forums and events. “Let’s stop just sitting around discussing these issues again and again and do something about it!” So we need to figure out a way in which we can coordinate some real action in this city.And it will all come down to us. How much of this do you feel we can successfuly pull off? Are there any of these projects you see yourself playing a part in?
We’ve heard we’re having an influence with our decision makers, so it’s working. Now, we just have to figure out how influential we want ourselves to become, because the sky’s the limit if we all work together.
Post Feedback
Another thing I think I would like to see SD do is to fascilitate the discussion better. This is one thing that Josh always wanted to see us do, but with my limited technical ability, I really had no clue as to how to go about doing it. Josh mentioned that a discussion forum would be better than the feedback section we currently have. I must admit I’m still a little unaware of the differences, though…
Wikki. I like how the Green Party website is set up for discussions. Feedback; from my experience is frustrating.
Autoworker.net has an interesting “forum” for discussion as well. Easier to search; discussions broken down by topic.
With a Wikki (I think it’s called) you could create a forum dedicated solely to dicussion, for example, about Heritage Buildings. Another could be on solutions to Sprawl. Another on residential infill, etc.
AS it stands; feedback is simply a forum to comment on the current article in question.
With Wikki, moderators could be established to mediate discussions on narrowed down topics; with the end result being policy development on areas of importance.
Congrats! SD is a wonderful blog and has accomplished a lot in a short period of time. Time to move SD from a community ADVICASY blog to a grassroots ACTION group. Let’s organize, plan, and then do.
Congrats again. Great work!
I was wondering when you were going to get around to reflecting on and about Scaledown, as to several conversations and emails that we shared Chris.
I to think that Scaledown should move more into the public realm of doing rather than talking, although the talking, discussing et al here has brought a good awareness of what is wrong and right with our city. I like the philosophy and actions of the website Project for Public Spaces, their mission statement is here:
http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/about
“Public Space Advocacy
We complement our project work, training, and services with public space advocacy that sets the stage for broad change. Our goal is to enhance Placemaking efforts everywhere by promoting good policy and professional practice.
Making great public spaces the norm rather than the exception depends on introducing policy-makers at all levels of country, state, and city government to new ideas and approaches. We also advocate for change within disciplines, showing how architects, planners, transportation engineers, and other professionals can adopt a Placemaking approach. When these crucial decision-makers set their minds on creating great places, sweeping improvements follow.
That’s why PPS pursues systemic change in all our program areas, collaborating with foundations and campaign partners on advocacy that leverages our resources and expertise to achieve broad impacts. Through our advocacy partnerships and outreach, we want to see Placemaking change people’s lives for the better.”
and often thought that Scaledown could move in that direction. The Sprawl workshop you, James and Mark held was a good start along with Scaledown’s appearances at city council.
We need to reach all the neighbourhoods and get them organized, so that they can act, outside of the political ward system which includes many neighbourhoods that aren’t being heard from.
You’ve done well for such a simple thought to begin with, and I suspect we here now can and will help that simple musing grow.
Happy Anniversary!
Wow, it’s been over a year, eh? Whodda thunk that a couple of yahoos from Windsor could pull something like this off, eh?
The one lesson that I’ve learned from SD over the past year is that the voices of a few can influence the effects of many. Too often we think that “someone else” is making the decisions when, in fact, too FEW people are expressing opinions allowing our elected officials to make a decision.
Second, I learned that elected officials are human beings, not some sort of demi-gods elevated to that status by the drop of an election writ. Many of them really want to make a difference, but are just like you and I, convinced that the ideas in their minds are the very best way to do things. Education, not confrontation, is a marvelous way to swing people to a different vantage point. (Hey, Chris and I have disagreed on more than one issue over the years, but we still can work toward a common good).
Lastly, Windsor has good people who want someone to say simply “Yes, we can make a difference and here is how we are going to do it. Come follow me as we make change happen!” I know I left the city (the impending lack of a job will do that to you), but I really do believe that Windsor will become a great place to live once it realizes that change is a good thing, and not some attack on the auto heritage that has preserved it thus far.
Again, congrats SD guys — I’m still rooting for you from Charlottetown PEI!
Who needs an excuse to party? Who cares how far away the 1 year anniversary was, celebrate now. Hold an event that lets people who know you learn more about the city as well as those who don’t. Something like the wine tour or the Fedup tour where you set out a simple bike route for families that shows things that you feel are ideal: stop at Erie St., show buildings that have been re purposed, utilize little know paths/trails, encourage the use of reusable water bottle and bags, stop at a restaurant that’s made a meal or snacks with local food, host a talk, get feedback. Have it during Doors Open and some of the stops will be easier. Get the media on board to advertise and get David Suzuki here.
Anyway, happy 1 year and I’m glad the site’s here because I learn more about this city from blogs than I do from anything else.
Ok, ok, ok! You and pc are looking for any excuse to party, aren’t you Victoria?
doing what you’ve done for the past year is a great thing to celebrate. you’ve brought many issues to the forefront, engaged people in discussions and given voices to many. it’s a great accomplishment and it’s something to be proud of. so celebrate! victoria is right, it doesn’t matter how far away the date is. it’s never too late to celebrate the good things people do. you really don’t need a degree in marketing to know that if you’re proud and excited about something and feel it is worth sharing then you need to shout it from the rooftop!
you and the boys are doing a great job chris!
Thanks a ton, pc. You’re not doing so bad yourself!
WindsorEats actually brought up the idea of a city bike tour with Chris of Scaledown and Andrew of International Metropolis many months ago. It would be a great way to promote the history, local shops/restaurants/cafes, enjoy a great day out and being active. Still waiting for a response, fellas;)
…ahh, I thought Andrew was taking care of that one. Just like him to drop the ball, eh?
If there is any excuse to party …this has to be number one! So? When? Where?
I for one would be in fort he bike ride as well…as long as it isn’t on a Sunday because we are infootball season you know
Congratulations on the first year (and a bit) for scaledown. You have done a wonderful job in getting major issues in Windsor to the forefront of broader community discussions. As has been mentioned, organizing and uniting the neighbourhoods in Windsor and building a grassroots movement across the city is a great goal to aspire to.
Just to add to the discussion, I thought I would post a brief portion of an invaluable resource I’ve been fortunate to come across. It is taken from the book Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature written by Douglass Farr but with contributions from many leading edge urban designers/planners/architects etc. By no means am I suggesting that this new idea is the end all and be all, but it aspires to almost every one of the discussions that I have read here on scaledown.
Some background:
For those familiar with many of the sustainable movements south of the border, this idea has grown out of three late 20th century reform movements that highlight the benefits of integrating human and natural systems. The movements are the smart growth movement, new urbanism and green building movements. Generally speaking, smart growth focused on principles to guide policy development; new urbanism focused on the mid-level policy development and regulatory tools to implement good design and planning; and green building movements focused on individual developments and their interaction with their surroundings. This idea of sustainable urbanism attempts to integrate all of these into one approach to a sustainable future.
The following is a portion of the book was contributed by Jim Hackler, former head of the USGBC’s LEED for Homes and Altanta’s EarthCraft House program, and Irina Woelfle, IWPR Group. This speaks to many of Chris’ comments and gives a general starting point for communicating ideas coherently and effectively when it comes to these types of movements. These can be used for some general guides to focus the discussion and provide some move forward actions.
Leadership Talking points for Sustainable Urbanism
Complex ideas, such as sustainable urbanism, are particularly challenging to convey in this age of sound bites and short attention spans. However, insights from the communications industry can be used to get a clear message across. The challenges and opportunities are many. Sustainable urbanism is relevant to many different trends and current events: climate change, quality of life, the environment, building community, lowering taxes, and the like.
Communications professionals have developed methods to address these challenges:
• Define your mission. Decide who you are and what your goals are.
• Define your audience. Influencers? Partners? Potential partners? Customers?
• Lose the jargon. The phrase “sustainable urbanism” is suited only to a technical audience. For the general public, consider layman’s definition: neighbourhoods where you prefer to walk to everything – to see people, to enjoy parks, tree-lined streets, and environmentally friendly buildings.
• Collect statistics in your support. This book is a good resource; just don’t overwhelm your audience with too many facts and figures.
• Define your message for each audience. For example:
- Planning board members need to know that high-performance infrastructure means lower taxes.
- Potential residents need to know your buildings use a small amount of energy and help slow global warming.
- NIMBY groups need to know that a mix of uses reduces traffic.
• Use a positive message. Have fun! Emphasizing the positive may attract more people than doom and gloom.
• Use synonyms. To connect with your audience, you may want to use related terms that may be more familiar than Sustainable Urbanism: “smart growth, “green urbanism,” eco-cities,” “LEED-ND,” “healthy neighbourhoods,” “walkable communities.”
Further, the book goes on to list the four principal challenges/opportunities in communicating sustainable urbanism:
1. The public’s lack of recognition of the term and its complexity
2. The public’s lack of focus on how the built environment affects health and quality of life
3. The need to distinguish sustainable urban developments early and often from climate-changing sprawl
4. Getting people to realize that our current lifestyle reduces harmony in our households, our lives, and our world
Thoughts? Feedback? Comments? Criticism?
More international attention to Windsor! Thanks to James for sending me this link to EnergyBulletin.net, who monitors the international news scene on sustainability issues. It seems their editors are reading Scaledown as well and forwarding news to their global readership. The hits on SD have already escalated.
I told you we’re reaching peole with the work we do here