Karen Sherriffs, Crystal Barron, Jennifer McGrath, and Marc Dyke of Community Services presented phase one of Neighbourhood Profiles to Council.
Neighbourhood Profiles are intended to present characteristics identified in 28 distinct neighbourhoods. These neighbourhoods are defined by their history, landscape, and unique cultural heritage and together they create the character of our city. An online neighborhood profile system includes distinct neighbourhoods within stable working boundaries.
Neighbourhood Profiles includes information for residents and visitors of St. John’s and will assist those seeking data for program planning, community outreach, development, and for those who may be relocating. The social information included can help increase awareness of the many activities, amenities and history that is available to residents in their own neighbourhood as well as neighbouring areas. This information is also helpful to both staff and council in supporting decisions on program and services offered.
The 28 neighbourhood profiles were developed to assist community organizations, businesses, and governments with their short and long-term planning by creating meaningful boundaries to support the collection of data. Neighbourhood boundaries are simply a tool, they do not diminish the importance of wards or existing neighbourhood identification.
The boundaries for these neighbourhoods were developed using the following criteria:
1. originally based on planning areas, former municipal boundaries, and existing local cultural area neighbourhood boundaries;
2. respect of natural boundaries (rivers), and man-made boundaries (streets, highways, etc.);
3. recognize smaller neighbourhood sections within the larger neighbourhood boundries; and
4. the final number of neighbourhood areas be manageable for the purposes of data presentation and reporting.
Council viewed the phase one Neighborhood Profiles online platform as presented. It was noted that consideration will be made for neighborhoods within communities in future phases. Community engagement and feedback will be welcomed as the project is launched.