The PLACE Centre, which stands for Propelling Locally Accelerated Clean Economies, is a new initiative of Smart Prosperity Institute. PLACE focuses on the complex challenges limiting clean economic growth in Canadian communities. Our core approach is “place-based,” meaning the PLACE team works with all levels of government, industry, and civil society organizations to ensure communities across Canada have the solutions needed to overcome the challenges they face in advancing clean economic growth. With this approach, the PLACE team can create practical, place-based recommendations where everyone involved can collaborate and work towards making progress in solving these problems. That way, every region and community across the country can attract investment, create jobs, and lower the cost of living – improving the quality of life for everyone while creating a lower emissions world.
As the PLACE Centre launches, it will focus on two complex challenges that will shape the future of our communities:
1. How can every community across the country create jobs and economic prosperity as the world moves to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and Canada adapts to a changing climate?
2. How can we create accessible communities that meet the needs of everyone from ages nine to ninety; are affordable for everyone to have a home, heat that home, and put food on the table; and will help Canada meets its climate goals of zero emissions by 2050?
Answering both of these questions are essential for Canada to succeed in the clean economy. As our work advances, the PLACE Centre will take on new challenges that our place-based perspective is well equipped to solve; where complex, intertwined challenges require actions from more than one individual, government, or stakeholder if communities want to advance opportunities for clean regional economic development. This vision for change is well aligned with the shared vision of the Smart Prosperity Institute and the Natural Step Canada to support a strong and inclusive economy for Canada that thrives within nature’s limits.
The PLACE Centre team is looking forward to working with all levels of government, industry, and civil society to thoroughly understand the problems restricting clean economic growth within a given region and create practical, place-based recommendations where everyone involved can collaborate and work towards making progress.
Click here to visit the PLACE Centre’s website.
