Alex Watson
As an Old Ottawa East (OOE) resident, I care about our wonderful community, and how it is developed. I would like to introduce you to the concept of Transition Network that I believe could work well for OOE.
Transition Networks have been around for fifteen years and are associated with Rob Hopkins who helped set them up. A Transition Network is: “about reclaiming the economy, sparking entrepreneurship, reimagining work, reskilling and weaving webs of connection and support”. This is done at the community level. There are approximately 78 Transition Networks across Canada. Maybe we can start one in Old Ottawa East!
The Community Garden behind Saint Paul University is a good example of how to create food security as part of a Transition Network. Photo by Peter Croal
As part of my own conversation of what a Transition Network could mean to me, I tried to repair my nine-year-old washing machine. After diagnosing the problem, I researched how to do the repair and ordered the parts online. However, I discovered through the disassembly process that an expensive part called the spider also needed replacing. Three weeks of hand laundry in the midst of a pandemic was enough for my family and the parts of the washing the machine ended up being recycled for the metal.
Could my outcome have been different if Old Ottawa East had someone who had experience with repairing washing machines, or had the missing part that I was looking for? There are a number of steps we can take to help our community become more of a Transition Network.
For example, we could:
• develop a directory of trusted businesses and neighbourhood resources that support the circular economy and sustainable living;
• implement community actions that promote sustainability and resilience (e.g., community oven, community garden – greenhouse, tool sharing program, etc.);
• influence city and government policies, to support community-focused food networks and sustainable energy sources among other examples; and • enhance the connections with neighbours and nature that have sprung up during COVID-19 and start conversations about an OOE Transition Network.
Old Ottawa East has already achieved many sustainability successes that demonstrate Transition Network characteristics. These include: The Children’s Garden, the Main Street Farmers Market, the Community gardens, Main Street revitalization, nature and bike trails, parks and footbridges, local events, as well as the community collaboration that influenced the development of Greystone Village.
We also have pockets of expertise such as the Terra Firma Cohousing Community on Drummond Street, and neighbours’ adoption of solar panels, sustainable sources of electricity, more use of electric vehicles, solar water pipes and experience with food gardens. These examples show that one can balance sustainable living while supporting the local economy and development. We can work together to explore ways to lower our carbon footprint and increase our resilience in collaboration with the local economy. Success will sometimes be lower carbon solutions as opposed to a perfect “green” solution. The objective is to continue to influence how Old Ottawa East integrates sustainability and improves the local economy. Connection will be the foundation. The late Paul Dewar (former MP for Ottawa Centre who lived in the neighbourhood) said it best: “Let the building of a better world begin with our neighbours.”
