It’s undeniable that Hamilton is undergoing a transformation from an one-time industrial powerhouse that fell on hard times, to a dynamic and diverse post-industrial economy. Like other cities that have seen radical change and urban renewal in a short period, ours now faces as many challenges as it does opportunities: like responsibly dealing with the remnants of our industrial past, and ensuring
that all residents are included in the vision for our city’s future. Hamiltonians know that unless we act proactively, we will be forced to watch from the sidelines during our city’s renewal as speculators and outside developers make important decisions about downtown. This is why now is the right time for a Community Land Trust in Hamilton. The Land Trust we propose will be a community-run, non-profit organization that holds property in the name of all citizens, and prioritizes their uses for parcels of land that will become increasingly scarce as downtown continues its ongoing renaissance. For example, in speaking with Hamiltonians we have learned that they think responsible development means dedicating more space to parks, green areas, and gardens to serve an increasing population. It also means finding space for affordable housing so that low-income residents aren’t forced out of downtown by rising prices, and ensuring that speculators don’t let brownfields and disused buildings languish, blighting our neighbourhoods and harming surrounding property values. A Land Trust pools our social and economic resources to acquire land to lease back to Hamilton’s many communities so that they can pursue economically and ecologically sustainable uses that will increase quality of life for everyone in Hamilton.
