Media Advisory

Official Kick-Off Event
for Regional Centre Urban Design Study

(Friday, June 30, 2006) On Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 5:30 p.m., HRM Capital District and the consulting firm Office for Urbanism will be holding a media conference to mark the official project kick-off of the Regional Centre Urban Design Study.

HRM Regional Council initiated the much-anticipated Urban Design Study to engage the public on issues of urban design within the area of the Capital District and surrounding urban core neighbourhoods of Halifax and Dartmouth. Urban Design is a cornerstone in Council's strategies related to healthy communities, cultural and economic development, and regional growth.

“HRM’s Regional Plan, Economic Development Strategy and Cultural Plan all strongly emphasize good urban design as critical for economic growth and for building healthy, sustainable, vibrant communities,” says Mayor Peter Kelly. “I am pleased to be part of the first major public milestone of the Urban Design Study. There will be numerous opportunities for public participation throughout the next 18 months, at locations throughout the Regional Centre. Public participation will be critical to the project's success.”

"This timely project captures the exciting new energy in HRM surrounding the importance of good urban design. Through extensive public consultation, we will ensure a future for HRM in which high quality architecture and vibrant place-making will be the rule - not the exception," says Andy Fillmore, Capital District's Urban Design Manager.

The Media Conference will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the North Front Casemates of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, and is open to the public.

What: Kick Off Event for Regional Centre Urban Design Study
When: Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Where: North Front Casemates, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Visit www.halifax.ca for more information on the Urban Design Study.

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For more information, contact:

Andy Fillmore
Capital District Urban Design, Project Manager
490-6495

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010