Richmond: Island City by Nature

I picture a Richmond of the future that is far different from the one we have today. Affordable housing, poverty, and food security are still issues but we have taken real steps to deal with them.

Just like we will not allow a development to proceed unless there is adequate parking in Richmond no development proceeds unless it provides the necessary affordable housing. Property values are kept in check by the large stock of cooperative housing whose fees are immune from changing property values. As a community we no longer accept that our destitute will migrate to other communities which provide greater services.

Poverty unfortunaely still exists but we work hard to soften its pain. Simple Living circles begin the long process away from a consumption society and remove many of the stigma's of today's poverty. Sports and community programs are designed to ensure that money is not an obstacle to participation. Training and support is easily available to help people become self sufficient.

We celebrate our agricultural capabilities. The Garden City Lands are turned into a signature piece of urban agriculture. Small acreages are rented out to specialty farming often serving our diverse ethnic culture. It's community gardens flourish a short walk away from our population centre. Kwantlen and UBC both operate agricultural programs. A retail garden centre and organic restaurant capitalize on the agro-tourism that naturally comes. Richmond Food Bank moves to site and adopts a new focus. Teaching the whole community the values of a healthy diet, and the value of using local produce. People in need still turn to it for help, but for many that help is provided by showing them how they can grow their own food.

What kind of future do you see?