Despite the fact that my father is a forester by training, the way I interacted with and conceptualized nature was not much more different than an engineer student. And yes I'm generalizing here and claiming that engineers don't have souls -- at least when it comes to nature.
It was in Edmonton, or more specifically, after my trip to Jasper and Banff National Parks, that I realized how crucial natural systems are to our well-being. The moment we begin to think that we can live outside, that is conceptually, of nature, is the beginning of the end. I thoroughly enjoy Edmonton summers because of the opportunity it gives me to walk and bike in the River Valley. Since
But I also feel that the River Valley is being threatened with the kind of rapid expansion that the city is going through. The 5 years that I alone have spent in Edmonton have seen tremendous growth in the city. And that tremendous growth comes from a new sub-divison after new sub-division. The city is being built for cars, not for people. I wish residence of the city and the planners at City Hall would take a second look and consider whether that's really what they want to do?
It's hard to understand this rapid 'development' and the River Valley co-exist. One represents nature at its best, the other materialist consumerism at it's best. So Edmonton has a split personality disorder so to speak. It doesn't know what it wants really. Is it a nature friendly city? Or is it a city of gas guzzlers? Is it both? Can it be both?
It was in Edmonton, or more specifically, after my trip to Jasper and Banff National Parks, that I realized how crucial natural systems are to our well-being. The moment we begin to think that we can live outside, that is conceptually, of nature, is the beginning of the end. I thoroughly enjoy Edmonton summers because of the opportunity it gives me to walk and bike in the River Valley. Since
But I also feel that the River Valley is being threatened with the kind of rapid expansion that the city is going through. The 5 years that I alone have spent in Edmonton have seen tremendous growth in the city. And that tremendous growth comes from a new sub-divison after new sub-division. The city is being built for cars, not for people. I wish residence of the city and the planners at City Hall would take a second look and consider whether that's really what they want to do?
It's hard to understand this rapid 'development' and the River Valley co-exist. One represents nature at its best, the other materialist consumerism at it's best. So Edmonton has a split personality disorder so to speak. It doesn't know what it wants really. Is it a nature friendly city? Or is it a city of gas guzzlers? Is it both? Can it be both?
It's tough to decide how the city and the nature that was here first can sit side by side. I agree with your point about the city's "split personality disorder", because even with preserving the natural beauty of the river valley, progress of the city has to continue. I have always extremely disliked urban sprawl, so your point about the expansion of Edmonton in the last few years struck me as an important one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that edmonton summers are quite enjoyable! I also agree that recent developments within edmonton seem to be alienating citizens from nature. The gas guzzlers seem to be in the lead. How do you feel about developing the river valley to make it more accessible, or highlighted, as a destination of liesure, sport, and activity for edmontonians? My friend and i have been toying with the idea of a boardwalk area on the river with boutiques, bistros, perhaps a live music venues or rides/games. this combines consumer developments with nature dependent soul. this idea has many issues that make it unfeasible, but it's a start to thinking about how to integrate city development and nature. : )
ReplyDeleteYou really hit the nail on the head with this post, Maani.
ReplyDeleteI think to us, Edmonton does look split---> We have this gorgeous river valley, but then we have Refinery Row/Mordor. We're "Oil City", but we are also "River City". Some people are pissed off that we aren't more of an oil city; some want more conservation of nature and green space.
I also agree with LKM-- the gas guzzlers seem to be winning. Is this because they have more capital?
The gas guzzlers are definitely ahead at this point. But I'd like to suggest an excellent book if any of you guys are up to it. Former CIBC economist Jeff Rubin wrote "How your world is about to get a whole lot smaller" several years ago. His basic argument is that fish caught in Norway, sent to Germany for shipping to China to be packaged and then shipped to Canada then trucked to Calgary and sold under thousands of fluorescent lights and then cooked at a fine dining restaurant shouldn't cost 10 bucks. Basically, oil is subsidizing and hiding the actual cost of that fish. He says that we will soon run out of oil--not because there wont be any oil left, but because more energy will be required to extract it than the energy that will actually be available from the extracted oil. Long story short, we will be back to a capitalism of a much smaller scale... buying local and selling local. It was required reading for a political ecology course and I absolutely loved reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you should mention that city planners are not taking conservation of the river valley into consideration. In the last two years the city has just purchased a huge tract of land along the river to the west to be turned into park/nature preserve. It is to be the largest park area in the city. While yes, I do agree that the river valley in the core of the city has been neglected in that regard, there is still some awareness for the value of preservation taking place down at city hall.
ReplyDelete@ Maani: I actually saw a review and discussion of that book not that long ago and it was quite interesting. I would also recommend reading it. :)
@Maani: we are made of oil.
ReplyDelete