MetroQuest helps remote northern community
The versatility of the MetroQuest process was demonstrated once again as we traveled to the rapidly growing Town of Inuvik located above the Arctic Circle. Our task was to engage their community and municipal council in the quest for sustainability.  | | Dave Biggs with youth from Inuvik | “InuvikQuest” consisted of a series of interactive public and youth workshops, evaluations of the town and its long-range plans, followed by a presentation of the results to the Town Council. Town Mayor, Peter Clarkson, valued the process for its broad stakeholder engagement and impact on staff and council: “[We had] lots of positive comments from staff and councilors that attended the sessions and final overview presentation. It was important for the Town to have input on what we are planning and where we are going in the future. The [Inuvik]Quest process that was used for the public and youth sessions allowed everyone to look at where we are at, how we would like to see the community develop, and what do we need to do to get there.” “Getting the youth participation and output was great… This is the first time the Town has gone to the youth to get their input and ideas on what they would like to see happen in our community…I can see already that some of the suggestions that came out of the process will be incorporated into future Town planning and development.”  | | Inuvik boasts a thriving community garden | “Having a future vision and making a plan on how to get there is especially important for northern, rural, and remote communities. Our energy costs are higher, transportation and infrastructure costs are higher, and our climatic conditions are more severe. All of this makes the Quest process even more important if we want a sustainable, functioning community, that is a great place to live, and a place people are proud to call home.”
Mayor Peter Clarkson MetroQuest Online Launched
MetroQuest is the leading interactive tool for sustainability planning, now available online! Up until now, MetroQuest was only available for live workshops that are facilitated by experts. With MetroQuest Online, stakeholders can explore sustainability planning concepts at home and at their own pace with this fun, interactive application.
>> Watch a Quick Tour of MetroQuest Online
>> Learn more about MetroQuest Online  Vancouver's youth hoots and hollers for the future
On March 19th, Greater Vancouver's youth, rested or restless at the end of March school break, gathered at Vancouver’s Robson Square to create their 40-year vision for a sustainable region. Using the Hoot’n Holler Applause Meter connected to MetroQuest, Vancouver’s youth generated some noise as they voted on policies to create their preferred future.
The event was be a component of the City of Vancouver’s “Sustainability and You” weekend that was one of a string of events for the 30 Days of Sustainability developed by BC Hydro, Alcan, the City of Vancouver, and others. The event was designed to attract the attention of media and link to other sustainability-related events planned in Vancouver in 2006 including Globe 2006, the World Planning Congress, and the UN World Urban Forum III.
>> Visit the 30 Days of Sustainability website  Guelph selects MetroQuest for Long Term Growth Strategy
Following a six-month search, the City of Guelph selected MetroQuest to assist in the creation of a long-term local growth strategy and community consultation process. The two-year project will help the municipality manage the rapid growth that is anticipated over the next several decades as outlined in the Ontario Provincial Government’s Places to Grow plan. As the community nears its capacity on critical systems such as water supply and wastewater treatment, and as transportation and land use issues grow more serious, the city is commencing a long-range study to consider strategies for managing their growth in a sustainable manner. The two-year growth study will make full use of MetroQuest’s capabilities to create and evaluate alternative scenarios and engage the community in visualizing a sustainable future for the region.
>> Read an article in the Guelph Tribune
 Citizens explore 100-year vision for city
The City of Calgary is engaging decision makers, stakeholders and citizens using MetroQuest in the innovative imagineCALGARY. The number 100 has been a theme for the project. The goal is to engage 100,000 residents in the creation of a 100-year plan for the city to mark the city’s 100th birthday. So far, the city has conducted more than 20 interactive workshops where participants are invited to test out alternative future scenarios using the version of MetroQuest adapted for Calgary, called CalgaryQuest. This innovative and participatory planning process was recently showcased in the Calgary Herald.
>> Read article in the Calgary Herald
>> Read as PDF
MetroQuest to engage community on Environmental Strategic Plan
 The City of Edmonton and Envision Sustainability Tools have completed the adaptation of MetroQuest for the Edmonton region. EdmontonQuest will be used over the next months to engage the community in the creation of a long range Environmental Strategic Plan for the city. The process will help the rapidly growing city work in partnership with stakeholders and the community in the creation of a strategy that will accommodate growth while preserving and enhancing environmental quality. MetroQuest to engage community in growth management
The City of Hamilton and Envision Sustainability Tools have recently completed HamiltonQuest for use in the innovative Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy (GRIDS) project. Planners have been trained on HamiltonQuest and are currently developing a strategy for using the tool for the outreach and engagement component of the project. PowerQuest tool updated for BC Hydro’s electricity planning process
 Envision Sustainability Tools and BC Hydro have completed the updating of PowerQuest for use in BC Hydro’s 2005 Integrated Electricity Planning process. The process involves stakeholders and decision makers throughout the province in the creation of a 20-year strategic plan for how the corporation will meet the province's projected electricity needs. The 2004 version of PowerQuest received recognition earlier this year at the Electric Utilities Environmental Conference in Tuscon Arizona. GVRD adapting MetroQuest for communicating about regional sustainability
GVRD is adapting MetroQuest for use in the Sustainable Region Initiative to help communicate that land use, transportation, water, parks, solid waste, and air quality are interconnected. The emphasis is on the need for everyone to work cooperatively to achieve common goals for sustainability in the region. ^ top More News: Top Stories - What Others are Saying - Press Releases |