In this edition of the Intelligence Test podcast, ICF co-founder Robert Bell has a conversation with Alison Burgess, Director Communications and Engagement, Regional Municipality of Durham and Sarah Klein, Deputy CAO & Director, Strategic Initiatives, Town of Whitby.
A new report from the Economic Developers Association of Canada describes the work of its members as “a sprawling, multi-mandate profession.” How much more sprawling must it be when economic development serves not just a city but a vast urban and rural region? Yet that very diversity offers great growth potential – if you can get folks from different places, experiences, assets and needs to collaborate for their mutual benefit. In this episode of Intelligence Test, we ask leaders from the reigning Intelligent Community of the Year – the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario – how they foster collaboration across 2,500 square kilometers that is home to 8 separate municipalities.
The Regional Municipality of Durham, known informally as Durham Region, was founded in 1974 to address the needs of this rapidly expanding area. With a current population of more than 750,000 that is projected to reach 1.3 million by 2051, the demand for efficient, coordinated regional services continues to grow.
Today, Durham Region provides shared services and program coordination to eight local area municipalities consisting of cities, towns and townships in Ontario, Canada. These services support diverse communities and a range of economic sectors from agriculture to clean energy. With 80% of Durham Region zoned as protected green space or agricultural lands, agriculture is a major sector in the region. Durham Region is the Clean Energy Capital of Canada, providing about 30% of the province's energy needs. Energy engineering is a major employer as a result, with innovative projects like the first grid-tied small modular reactor being developed in the region. Durham is also home to automotive manufacturing, a thriving film production industry, and globally recognized research facilities such as the multi-climate ACE Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel.
