Inner-City Decay in Winnipeg: Causes and Remedies

This paper succinctly depicts the various causes of decay in Winnipeg neighbourhoods, past efforts to remediate inner-city communities, where those efforts fell short and an array of diverse, current revitalization initiatives. While using Winnipeg as the example, generalizations to other urban centres are obvious. Sources include a range of previous studies, Statistics Canada data, personal experience and successful examples of other North American efforts. To conclude, the paper shifts into descriptions of policy instruments developed elsewhere and their applicability to Winnipeg (or other slow-growth cities). The concept of "metropolitan-wide growth management" aims to accommodate growth when it happens, but to contain or alter its possible destructive effects. Advantages of this broad view include its recognition of the complexity of urban vitality, its pragmatism and the requirement for patience. Persuasive arguments are given for intergovernmental cooperation as key to growth management; such cooperation requires local initiatives and participation, plus supervision mechanisms and authority. Growth boundaries, housing measures, realistic pricing of new development, overcoming regulatory rigidities and transit-oriented development are all presented with diverse and relevant examples and alternatives.