David Negrin, President of the Urban Development Institute (UDI) welcomed the appointment of Brent Toderian as the new Director of Planning in response to
today’s announcement. “The development industry is a partner in community building. Our relationship with the City is based on the sharing of a vision and a collaborative and cooperative process of turning that vision into reality.”
David Negrin notes that Brent Toderian is expected to carry on the positive relationship with the industry. “From all accounts, Toderian will continue the tradition of open dialogue and progressive planning initiated by his predecessors, this is a very positive signal to those who invest in and build the offices, homes, shops and industrial projects in our City”. Negrin added that building on this foundation is critical as Vancouver embarks on a particularly pivotal period of development leading up to the 2010 Olympics.
Ward McAllister, the current president of UDI Canada, serves as co-chair of the City and industry’s liaison committee that has been going strong since 1972. “It is so important to not only know how to plan a city but also how to convey the vision of it in such a way that makes the private sector and citizens excited about building it. We have been lucky in Vancouver to have had Directors of Planning who have been able to do just that.”
Brent Toderian joins the City at a time when Vancouver has solidified its reputation as one of the most livable cities in the world.
McAllister added that he also welcomed the introduction of new ideas and new thinking on the future of the City. “We are confident that the new Director of Planning will have his own ideas that can help us to fully realize the potential of our great city and region.”
UDI’s Executive Director, Maureen Enser, notes that she hopes to meet with Brent Toderian shortly after his arrival. “There’s lot of development activity in the City and he will have to hit the ground running. We look forward to an early meeting to introduce Toderian to the Institute and its members.”
The Urban Development Institute is an internationally recognized policy and research association of the real estate development industry and related professions. Its mandate is to promote wise and efficient land use, good planning and progressive development practices. UDI works closely with governments to create sustainable communities with housing and job opportunities for all British Columbians.
The activities of the membership contribute more than $20 billion and 250,000 jobs annually to the provincial economy, much of that activity is in the Greater Vancouver area.
