Waterloo Region needs to create more shared spaces ahead of population boom, new report says

Experts say more than just physical infrastructure is needed as Waterloo Region continues to grow. CTV’s Karis Mapp reports.

The Waterloo Region Community Foundation says rapid population growth has led to a loss of belonging in the community.

It also stressed the importance of creating social infrastructure and togetherness as the region nears an estimated population of one million people in 2050.

The findings were part of the foundation’s biennial Vital Signs report released on Thursday.

“We’ve been growing so fast that maybe we haven’t been investing enough in these pieces of social infrastructure,” said Eric Avner, president and CEO of the Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF). “The report was an opportunity to say, ‘Where are we? What are the things that we do really well that we can be proud of?’”

Waterloo Region welcomed more than 170,000 new residents since 2015. Of those, approximately 114,000 arrived in the last five years alone.

Much of that growth came from immigration.

“When we compared Waterloo Region to every other metropolitan area in Canada over the last decade, we saw that Waterloo was actually the fastest growing area across the country, growing at 33 per cent, which is twice as fast as Canada as a whole,” explained Steven Ayer, the report’s lead author.

The region is also the youngest metropolitan area, with a median age of 35-years-old.

But, when it comes to creating connections, the community falls short.

“There’s less people going out at night,” one resident told CTV News. “Not that it’s about alcohol but socializing. There’s less people going out and socializing.”

“I’m lucky to have a job where it’s hybrid,” said another. “I still keep those social connections. Today, I’m in office [and it’s] the first time, the rare moment, you see me on the streets.”

The report also showed less than half of residents were “highly satisfied” with their lives. Those feelings, the report noted, may be attributed to post-pandemic malaise.

“I cut contact with a lot of people,” said one person. “I just wanted to be alone more. Even with online shopping. I don’t even go to the mall anymore.”

The solution, according to the report, was to develop more shared spaces, experiences and resources that bring people together.

“We’re building power grids and sewer lines, and that’s great,” Avner said. “But if we’re just building stuff, we’re going to miss out on how to grow as a community.”

Parks, libraries and recreation centres were included as some of the report’s suggestions.

“If we aren’t connected with one another, and we aren’t connected with this place, it’s going to be harder to feel like there’s a reason to be caring about these bigger issues,” Avner said.

The full report is available online.