Sivaraj, P., "Planning in Multi-Ethnic Communities"

Immigrants make up an important component of the Canadian population. Successive waves of immigrants from a multitude of countries have created an ethnically diverse society in Canada. Recognizing ethnic diversity as an inherent characteristic of its population, the Canadian government has pursued "multiculturalism" as an official policy since 1971. The concept of multiculturalism promotes the ethnic identity of individuals by encouraging people to retain their heritage and culture while at the same time becoming equal partners within Canadian society. In 1988 Canada embraced multiculturalism as an official policy through an act of parliament, the Canadian Multiculturafism Act of 1988 to further promote this concept. This act challenges all levels of governments to promote the concept of multiculturalism. The planning implication of this requirement is that policies and programs be adapted to meet the needs of an ethnically plural population. Many municipal governments, especially those with large ethnic populations, are beginning to embrace the concept of multiculturalism.

This study examines the efforts undertaken by municipal governments within and outside their official plans to recognize and celebrate the unique characteristics of ethnic communities and address issues arising in those communities. The study uses the ethnic Chinese community as an example in the discussions. The cities of Toronto and Vancouver were taken as two model municipalities. Initiatives undertaken in other municipalities in ethnic communities were also studied. The study makes recommendations and draws conclusions about planning in multiethnic communities.

The study concludes that there is an increasing awareness by municipalities regarding the growing multicultural nature of the populace. There does not seem to be a single strategy or model used to facilitate planning in multiethnic communities. Each municipality has developed policies and programs to reflect local circumstances. The strategies that are emerging seek to promote recognition of ethnic groups and to invite participation of ethnic groups in the process of planning. Municipalities are making efforts to highlight and promote the uniqueness of areas of ethnic concentrations. This is being achieved by adopting special policies to create ethnic districts, promoting heritage preservation, and adopting urban design guidelines to direct the orderly growth and development that would highlight the unique physical form and character of areas of ethnic concentrations. Heritage or historic preservation is another effective way by which municipalities are recognizing and highlighting the ethnic presence. In order to participate in the multicultural objectives of the federal government, many municipal governments have adopted formal policy statements in the area of race relations and multiculturalism. Other efforts being initiated by municipalities target the relationship of ethnic communities to the planning process. Policies are aimed at promoting the participation of multiethnic groups in the planning process; increasing the extent of ethnic representation in planning, and creating an awareness of ethnic values amongst planners so that they are more sensitive to multiethnic Issues.

The study recommends that in light of the growing presence of 'other' ethnic groups in many municipalities, provincial Planning Acts and in turn municipal Official Plans, which contain objectives and policies providing guidance for physical development, should have multicultural objectives, within the scope of municipal planning policies.

Atlantic Planners Institute

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This document was last modified on January 3, 2001.