Re-Purposing Perth-Andover:

Posted On May 7, 2014

The Demographic Factor

Francine St. Amand
In recent issues of Blackfly, I discussed the Educational, Environmental and Economic factors in the pitch to restore and redevelop the flood-prone areas – primarily on the Andover side – as a naturalized park. This park would allow space to integrate other community supported ideas and projects as they emerge. So far there is already community buy-in to integrate such things as permaculture, edible landscaping and native plants conservation.

Community gardens and historical tours would be woven into this environmental education tapestry. Demonstration gardens to feature high potential crops for this area such as hops, hemp and asparagus could be integrated with minimal capital investment. This could be an extremely active and interest-generating use of space – which would be great PR for the Village. There would be something for everyone in this public space.

Demographics are useful to predict trends. Organizations and businesses that don’t pay attention to them are walking the plank with eyes closed.

Stats Canada and other sources that research and compile demographics indicate trends that are too significant to ignore by planners, strategists, politicians, etc. Perth-Andover would be smart to pay attention to these trends in the planning for repurposing land in the Village:
Translation: The “Senior Boom” will continue to grow for at least another decade as the late boomers (1956 – 1965) cycle into retirement. And yes, they may very well be cycling. No joking. A naturalized park with all sorts of interesting things integrated into it, may be a key destination for local seniors. Given the usual fixed income that comes with being a senior, it may be one of the few affordable places they can go to. Seniors now and in the foreseeable future are not going to settle for sedentary lifestyles and be cast aside. A space like this would provide an easily accessible space to be physically and socially active. So, if Perth-Andover is going to be a retirement town, then make it attractive to the lifestyle preferences and realities of this breed of seniors.

The generation of people born 1980-2000, known as the Millennials, Generation Squeezed, Gen Y are and will continue to be worse off than their parent’s generation in terms of reaching milestones such as moving out of parental home, getting into a solid career, buying a home, starting a family and having savings to invest in their retirement. They know they have been dealt a bad hand. They are also the drivers of the Grow Your Own Food movement, Shared Economy and Social Enterprise. Look who is behind most these movements and ventures, and you will find people under 30. They are using their tech savvy to innovate, generate and propagate all sorts of programs, services and enterprises that are redefining the meaning of prosperity. It’s “Not Business As Usual” with this generation and we need to pay attention.

This generation values inclusiveness, transparency, democracy, social and environmental consciousness. Businesses that are environmentally backwards or abusive will not be supported by this generation.

Translation: A community that supports the values of appreciating, restoring and protecting the environment will get “thumbs up” from this demographic. We are quick to tout that the youth are the future leaders – well, here is an opportunity to prove that we mean it. With their technological savviness and ease with social media, they can make or break any venture they decide to endorse or crush. They are not intimidated by threats to their careers or retirement savings, because unlike their parents or grandparents, they don’t have these luxuries to protect. A community that develops its space through an environmental and social conscious lens will get this generation’s support.

These are just two demographics which I have highlighted here. This is just the tip of the iceberg to back up the case for the Naturalized Park concept’s relevance to various demographic groups. But for now, knowing how this concept would resonate well with seniors and this younger generation, don’t you agree that it is more progressive and has more potential economically than a Golf Course concept?