Local students try their hand at 'sustainable city design'

Students participated in a design exercise this week that included taking a new look at the Sarnia downtown area, with a focus on sustainable living.

A group of students connecting with the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery and the County of Lambton’s Immigration Youth Engagement Project held its Random Acts of Art Workshop, with an “Imagining My Sustainable City” on the agenda.

The workshop began Monday and finished up on Thursday, lead by presenters from Toronto-based No. 9, an organization that uses art and design to bring awareness to environmental issues.

Students were lead through the development of ideas and the creation of a scale model that emphasized sustainable urban planning. The groups chose to focus on downtown Sarnia, including the Lambton Mall, envisioning an integration of public spaces, housing and even a “reconnection” of Lochiel Street through the existing mall, then an extension of that space down to the St. Clair River.

No. 9’ educational programs have reached over 11,000 South in the Greater Toronto Area, Chicago and other cities. But Andrew Davies, who headed this week’s program, says Sarnia was a special opportunity for the organizers.

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