[m0nkyman]

Edmonton Density Action Group

OK. Inaugaral social meeting tomorrow, 7:00PM at Suede on the patio if it's sunny . Look for a table with a copy of the Oliver ARP on the table.

Second meeting place and time will be decided during the social. It will be before the Strathearn meeting next Thursday.

Unless anyone has an objection or better idea.

[itom 987]

I might be in for it but we will have to see...

We should plan on attending any meetings where density issues are raised. The positive points on increased density needs to be mentioned.

[m0nkyman]

That would be one of the goals.

[Wooster]

Why is density chosen as the title rather than urbanism or something of the like? Density in and of itself is not all that useful, and it may polarize or make people fearful of your goals. Unfortunately "density" is a four letter word for a lot of people and the name may make people defensive without really hearing your message.

Just an observation.

You could always do EUI, there is a CUI and a WUI here in the prairies.

[Boris2k7]

I guess it would depend on the issue. If they are focusing on a specific hotspot that is in the media RIGHT NOW, than it might work. There are definately good things about density , being that it is one of the major factors in creating a good urban environment. You can't sustain mass transit, for example, without some measure of density, nor can you really have a walkable community. But I can't see the group being anything permanent with such a limited goal. Density is just a factor after all, not the end goal.

This reminds me... CUI hasn't done anything major since the design awards. What are we up to next? Maybe we could organize that downtown cleanup idea with Mike. Maybe run a short campaign for proper garbage and recycling facilities by showing how big of a problem it is, especially on 7th Ave

[Wooster]

Density is just a factor after all, not the end goal.

Yeah, that was kind of what I was getting at, you expressed it well. Density is a means to an end - presumably good quality (sustainable?) urbanism.

[Xelebes]

Urbanism is only a factor, a safe city is the goal.

[m0nkyman]

It'll probably end up being EUI. I just wanted to get something started. If you start with a really bad name, nobody minds if it gets changed, and it allows people to contribute. ;)

[Boris2k7]

"Urbanism is only a factor, a safe city is the goal."

Safe? That's quite telling, you know... ;)

[Wooster]

It'll probably end up being EUI. I just wanted to get something started. If you start with a really bad name, nobody minds if it gets changed, and it allows people to contribute. ;)

I applaud your initiative. :tup:

If you have any questions about how CUI started. Feel free to ask.

[m0nkyman]

At some point I'll probably ask you if you'd come up for a meeting if I paid your gas fare.... ;)

[Boris2k7]

At some point I'll probably ask you if you'd come up for a meeting if I paid your gas fare.... ;)

This reminds me: I was meeting with a person from Edmonton about this very same thing a month or two back. She was looking to start an urban group as well in Edmonton and she was in town, so I met her in downtown Calgary on behalf of the CUI and told her how we got started and what we do...

I'll PM you her contact info.

[m0nkyman]

Thanks.

[murman]

Call it eco-density instead! Oh, wait... Vancouver's mayor just tried to copyright that phrase. Scratch that.

[Coldrsx]

Density Edmonton and Area Direction (group)

[CMD UW]

I wouldn't use the word density at all.

[m0nkyman]

It'll end up getting called the Edmonton Urban Initiative if only so we can have a Western Canada Urban Initiative conference at some point. ;)

[m0nkyman]

Density Edmonton and Area Direction (group)

Cute.

[Boris2k7]

It'll end up getting called the Edmonton Urban Initiative if only so we can have a Western Canada Urban Initiative conference at some point. ;)

I'm trying to imagine how everything is pronounced.

CUI - cue-ee
WUI - woo-ee
EUI - yoo-ee

[Coldrsx]

^ew-e

[Xelebes]

"Urbanism is only a factor, a safe city is the goal."

Safe? That's quite telling, you know... ;)

Urbanism is only a theory that if people are there and care, that the place will be safe.

[Xelebes]

I'm trying to imagine how everything is pronounced.

CUI - cue-ee
WUI - woo-ee
EUI - yoo-ee

Cwee
Wuoy
Oy

[m0nkyman]

Urbanism is only a theory that if people are there and care, that the place will be safe.

Safe is nice, but not necessary to my vision. Chaos is what I want. Random meetings, that become something extraordinary.

The urban is the space that allows for collective expression, for places where gatherings can happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen, that don’t cater only to the individual.~Farshid Moussavi, GSD Professor in Practice of Architecture; Principal, Foreign Office Architects, London

While safety usually follows when an urban area becomes vibrant, it isn't the goal, just a nice side benefit.

[Boris2k7]

Safe is nice, but not necessary to my vision. Chaos is what I want. Random meetings, that become something extraordinary.

The urban is the space that allows for collective expression, for places where gatherings can happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen, that don’t cater only to the individual.~Farshid Moussavi, GSD Professor in Practice of Architecture; Principal, Foreign Office Architects, London

While safety usually follows when an urban area becomes vibrant, it isn't the goal, just a nice side benefit.

Exactly. Urbanism is way, way more than just about "safety." That would be such a limited goal... if you wanted to define urbanism in it's fullest sense it would be the very study of human civilization itself, a celebration of the the human economy, environment, and social realm all in one. An urbanist in this sense would be someone who wishes to indulge him/herself in the more pure and raw forms of our civilization, all the encounters and mysteries of our society reflected in the city. And in turn, and urban city would be one that facilitates and enhances our civilization.

[newfangled]

I'd be interested m0nkyman. But not on a Friday night. ;)

And how about UMBY: "Urbanize My Backyard"?

or, uhm, UBER: "Urbanism Benefits Edmonton - Really"?

VUE: "Vibrant Urban Edmonton"? (although a certain paper might object to that one...)

Either way, we can't just copy Winnipeg and Calgary.

[m0nkyman]

I'll expect you at the real meeting then.

[WhipperSnapper]

Edmonton for a Sustainable Urban Community

E-SUC

love the superhero feel of ... Edmonton Density Action Group - just change Density to Urban or Community

[Xelebes]

Safe is nice, but not necessary to my vision. Chaos is what I want. Random meetings, that become something extraordinary.

The urban is the space that allows for collective expression, for places where gatherings can happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen, that don’t cater only to the individual.~Farshid Moussavi, GSD Professor in Practice of Architecture; Principal, Foreign Office Architects, London

While safety usually follows when an urban area becomes vibrant, it isn't the goal, just a nice side benefit.

That's for downtown, downtown. We are talking about the residential parts of town so safety is more important.

[Boris2k7]

That's for downtown, downtown. We are talking about the residential parts of town so safety is more important.

No offense, but I think that is a very suburban way of thinking, where you seperate downtown and the suburbs from one another and pretend that you can't pursue the same goals for both areas. If you promoted more urban suburbs (an oxymoron if I ever saw one) you would see the spinoffs of more safety, along with much more important items such as better transit, lower commute times, and cleaner air.

Or has Edmonton convinced itself that it's such a crime-ridden city that "safety" is the most important issue? Honestly, there are way more important things to think about, like saving billions of dollars on infrastructure that currently goes into trying to sustain sprawlburbs...

[Xelebes]

It's not suburban, it's about somebody who wants to raise a family sometime in his life.

[m0nkyman]

As a jeweller, and a former nightclub doorman, I have a different perspective on safety than most. Any day I don't get a gun stuck in my face is a safe day. :?

[Xelebes]

All that matters is that people are there and care. Everything else is a bonus, really.