Consulting arborist and landscape architect practice
based out of Ajax, Ontario

Judith is a member of the professional body Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). She was pleased to take part recently in a roundtable discussion on future housing policy. As OALA's Executive Director Aina Budrevics commented "Our participation in this roundtable reinforces the essential role our profession plays in shaping housing policies that balance growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being."

Read OALA's summary on the Smarter Housing Policy Roundtable below:

Landscape Architects are Growing as Influential Voices
OALA members advocate for Smarter Housing Policy at NDP Roundtable

OALA is making its voice heard in the critical conversation around housing policy. On November 15, OALA representatives Amy Lejcar and Judith Wright joined a roundtable hosted by Ontario NDP Housing Critic Jessica Bell, MPP (University–Rosedale). The discussion focused on building 1.5 million new homes and doubling the supply of affordable, non-market housing.

This opportunity stems from a meeting in July between OALA Councillor Steven Shuttle and MPP Bell, where Shuttle highlighted the essential role of landscape architects in sustainable community development.

Ahead of the roundtable, OALA’s team, which also included OALA member Jen Hill, identified several key priorities to bring to the table:

>Comprehensive Community Development: Advocating for housing policies that go beyond increasing unit counts to support holistic, sustainable community planning.

>Infrastructure for the Future: Stressing the need for planning that integrates essential services and infrastructure, creating vibrant communities that are equipped to handle growth sustainably.

>Environmental Stewardship: Calling for policies that respect the environment by avoiding overuse of green spaces and preserving Ontario’s Class 1 and 2 farmlands.

>Transit-Connected Communities: Promoting the integration of new housing developments with robust transit options to reduce car dependency and foster accessibility.

"Landscape architects bring a unique perspective to housing discussions by focusing on the bigger picture—creating communities that are not only livable today but sustainable for generations to come," said OALA’s Executive Director Aina Budrevics. "Our participation in this roundtable reinforces the essential role our profession plays in shaping housing policies that balance growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being."

Source/copyright: Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Progress Post email newsletter, November 2024.

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