Looking at the distribution of community amenities across a rapidly urbanizing landscape such as York Region can give us insights into how the wellbeing of both residents and the environment may be improved. Improved infrastructure and access to services must be balanced with environmental protection and restoration policy. 

The benefits of nature, particularly forested areas within or in close proximity to urban areas, is well known. The physiological benefits include reduced blood pressure, reduced sympathetic activity, reduced heart rate, and increased parasympathetic nervous system activity (Cheng, et. al., 2021). Psychologically, exposure to forested areas were shown to reduce strong negative emotions such as anger and fatigue, while increasing feelings of calm or vigor (Cheng, et. al, 2021). It is important then, to account for the ability to access forested areas, especially so that we may be able to identify areas at risk or areas that should be protected. 

Combining knowledge about the environmental, community safety, and economic vitality within York Region allows for further exploration into who is able to access certain benefits. It also offers interesting insight into certain tradeoffs between attributes. Further studies using participatory community surveys to collect data about their own experiences within 1km of their home would be useful in generating recommendations for a renewed York Region Vision plan. To clarify, in no way are we suggesting that living close to a wooded area or comprehensive bike path access could benefit a person over being able to spend less than 30% of their income on rent. However we do believe that regardless of income status, or dwelling type, all people living in York Region should be able to access some, if not most, of the community indicators drawn up in York Region’s Vision plan.

Community safety is a unique characteristic to measure alongside environmental and economic health of a community as crime rates are found to be associated with both of those characteristics. One study based in the city of Chicago found that an increased percentage of tree canopy was associated with a decrease in crime rates for assault, battery, robbery, and narcotics (Schusler, et. al., 2018). Another way to reduce crime rates within a community is through informal community leadership, or social cohesion. A study done on the redevelopment of Regent Park in Toronto looks at the positive impacts of community leadership and engagement post redevelopment. Regent Park’s redevelopment was “premised on leveraging the economic value of downtown Toronto real estate in an attempt to provide more socially just outcomes for public housing residents” (Brail & Kumar, 2017). The authors highlight that despite the benefits of mixed income housing communities, divisions based of differences of income or ethnicity tend to occur within the community. However, with mixed income communities comes a diverse group of residents that have much to offer each other when given the opportunity at formal (ie. workshops) or informal (ie. at the park) meetings. Through these meetings, which could arguably be further facilitated in a community who prioritized access to walking distance amenities, a greater sense of social cohesion can be developed and crime rates may be reduced.