"The Big Shift" Fostering Innovation in Waterloo Region Mike Murray Chief Administrative Officer Region of Waterloo 1
Dec 13, 2014
"The Big Shift"Fostering Innovation in Waterloo Region
Mike MurrayChief Administrative Officer
Region of Waterloo
1
Our Vision
“Waterloo Region will be an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community committed to maintaining harmony between rural and urban areas and fostering opportunities for current and future generations”
Growth Plan Population Projections
Waterloo
Kitchener
Hespeler
Preston
Galt
1950
Waterloo
Kitchener
Hespeler
Preston
Galt
1960
Waterloo
Kitchener
Hespeler
Preston
Galt
1970
Kitchener
Waterloo
1980
Cambridge
Waterloo
Kitchener
Cambridge
1990
Waterloo
Kitchener
Cambridge
2000
Waterloo
Kitchener
Cambridge
2010
How Have We grown?
Why Shift? The Consequences of Not Shifting
• 80% of our water supply comes from the ground
Intrusion onto environmentally sensitive areas
• 225,000 acres in Waterloo RegionLoss of prime farmland
• Commuting and "unwalkable" subdivisions
Negative health impacts
• Waterloo Region as a "Complete Community" is critical to success
Lack of global competitiveness
What are the Shifts?
• Economy in Transition• More "Intensification" / Less
Sprawl ("vibrant urban areas")• Greater Transportation Choice• Greater Focus on
Sustainability
Economic Transition• Decline in Manufacturing• 15,000 jobs lost since 2000• Still significant sector (20 % of employment)
• Growth in Tech sector/knowledge economy• 1,000 + firms; $25 billion annual revenue
• Increase in service-sector, part-time and temporary jobs
• Greater Global Competition• For people and investment
More Residential Development in Built-up Areas
And there are still more than 27,000 unbuilt units in plans of subdivision
More Housing ChoiceNew Residential Construction
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
Single Semi Townhouse ApartmentYear
Uni
ts
Greater Focus on Creative Sector
• 2009 Community Forum• Increased Municipal
Investment in Arts and Culture• Creative Enterprise Initiative• Greater Provincial/Federal
support?• Greater Private sector
investment?
Greater Transportation ChoiceFocus on "moving people"
GRT Ridership
16
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
550,000
600,000
650,000
7.0
9.0
11.0
13.0
15.0
17.0
19.0
21.0
23.0
Service Area Population Revenue Hours Ridership
Popu
latio
n or
Hou
rs o
f Ser
vice
Ride
rshi
p (m
illio
ns)
Rapid TransitMoving People / Shaping our Community
Optimize Existing Infrastructure
• Water Conservation• Energy Conservation• Optimize Road Capacity• Transportation Demand Management• Traffic signal timing• Roundabouts
• Waste Reduction• Blue box, Green bin
Natural Environment:From Islands to Systems
Planned Community Structure
Some Reflections• Regional/Municipal government has a key role in
fostering innovation• Waterloo Region has a history/culture of
innovation to build on• Planning and Building for Tomorrow is
challenging (change brings conflict)• Collaboration between governments, business,
academia and community is key• Support from Federal and Provincial
governments is also essential
More Reflections
“Why is this the best place to invest in Canada? Talented people! Our region is a magnet for talent.”
--David Johnston, Governor General of Canada-- --Former President of the University of Waterloo--
Thank you.