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Leslie Luxemberger and his colleagues at the Sustainâ€" able Urban Development Association are hoping to change that and show York Region how to make those principles part of our every- day lives. BY DAVID FLBISCHBR Staff Writer Sustainability is becomâ€" ing a catch-all word used by some without knowing what it means. “York Region is already a leader in sustainability com- pared to most other municiâ€" palities," Mr. luxembeiger said 10 Stoujfville Sun~'l‘ribune I Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 ‘ are the ideal way to 5‘ convenient lotations throughout you (an (hetk your email or surf Keep it sustainable, York Region, group asks Registered as a charitable corporation in 2005, Susâ€" tainable’s goal is to increase awareness of sustainability issues in growing cities. Mr. Luxemberger praised efforts in York, including recent moves in Vaughan and East Gwillimbury to ensure new homes are built to more stringent Energy Star standards. ' A subdivision of 34 of the greenest homes in the coun- try is being built in Newmar- ket. Downtown Markham, now under construction at Log on to yorkreglonmm /business for a list of local hotspots in the York Regi‘ Warden and Hwy. 7, is slated to be one of the most envi- ronmentally-friendly devel- opments in the country. ' Also worthy of mention is the region's natural heritage system and programs such as the Smart Commute carâ€" pooling program. _ York Region has been ahead of the game in build- ing more compact urban developments, said John Waller, director of long range and strategic planning. The region released a best practices report outlining 42 initiatives by municipalities Hmapota are the ideal way to stay connected, no matter where your work takes you. With many convenient locations throughout York Region,Wi~Fi Hotspots provide highâ€"speed Internet access so you can check your email or surf the Internet away from the office or home. across the country. It is now in a position to cherry-pick the “best of the best" ideas, Mr. Waller said. Nonetheless, the region continues to offset its sucâ€" cesses by promoting typiâ€" cal suburban low-density building, Mr. Luxemberger warned. For all the talk of transitâ€" oriented, pedestrian-Mendy green developments, Mr. Luxemberger said we need to be watchful. People are aware of global warming and a possible enerâ€" gy crisis, but we are making Woman's M! o! Georp'n F rec, confidential emergency services and support for abused women and their children in York Region Call 24 hours a day @663 York Regional Council will be holding a Public Worksh0p on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 9:30 am. in the Seminar Room at the York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario for the purpose of considering the Region’s 2008 Operating Business Plans and Budget, including the allocation of savings from GTA Pooling dollars. The Business Plans and Budget are posted on the Region’s website, www.y0rk.ca York Regional Council will consider public input at this workshop. Please contact Lloyd Russell, Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer at (905) 830-4444, ext. 1610 or lloyd.russell@york.ca if you have any questions regarding the Business Plans and Budget. Please contact Denis Kelly, Regional Clerk at (905) 830- 4444, ext. 1300 or denis.kelly@york.ca by 4:30 pm. on Monday, February 25, 2008 if you wish to make oral or written submissions to Regional Council. 1..., 1 -800-661 W or 905-722-3220 >> at WWE? Regional Council Workshop ink!" Thcs message brought to you as a oommumty semce o! The Stouffwlle Sun-Tribune 2008 Operating Business Plans and Budget The Regional Municipality onork few dayâ€"today changes, he said. 'Ihe publicstillhasmudlw learn about land use and the need to advance beyond the singievfamily homes we have becomeaowstomedtnhesaki Driving changes is Places to Grow, provincial legislation mandating 40 per cent of all new development take place in built-up areas, rather than sprawling into rural areas. v Instead of a 40/60 split, Sustainable calls for York Region to aim for 65/35. Sustainable’s answer is a theoretical development called Newburg. The mixed- use neighbourhood could house 10,000 people and jobs per square kilometre, the association stated. “We’re convinced. . . up to 50 per cent of (undeveloped) land can be saved,” he said. More than half the popu- lation would be housed in low-rise, multi-unit dwell- ings. York R32 By the numbers: b 72%: Percentage of our housing stock that is single detached homes; v 57%: Projected pelcentâ€" age of single detached homes by 2031; HOUSING FACTS IN YORK REGION D 119: Area,in square kilometres, of rural regional lands slated to be lost to low density development; > 2,814: Residents per sq. km in York Region projected for 2031; D 4,239: Residents per sq km in Toronto; This message brought to you as a community service of The Economist Sun