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What are the principles of Quality of Life?1. Ensuring economic vitality.2. Providing housing opportunities. 3. Preserving our environment. 4. Protecting property owners. 5. Building better communities. What is “Quality of Life”?Quality of Life (QOL or QoL) is a philosophical and analytical tool for looking at how cities and the people in them live and thrive. It can be said to be an evaluation of our social and economic and physical environments. Its components can include:• standard of living • local economic conditions • access to – and affordability of -- goods and services (commercial, governmental and housing are some of the most important) • degree of freedom • access to and/or involvement in art and entertainment • education • the environment • economic and cultural innovation. The whole QOL concept is a belated recognition that how cities, towns and their people live, thrive and are happy is a complex and vitally important thing. Merely measuring the economy is no longer enough because there are many components to human and civic well-being. (A good example of this is the environment. Until recently it was considered a niche area for specialists; now concerns about the environment are mainstream and of pressing interest to most people in our communities.) QOL provides a powerful framework for analysis of the present and planning for the future in economics, government and society as a whole. It is a mechanism to determine social policy, to define, strive for and reach the greater good. Why are REALTORS® so committed to Quality of Life?The real estate profession is committed to improving Quality of Life by supporting growth that encourages economic vitality, provides housing opportunities and builds communities with good schools and safe and healthy neighbourhoods.The principles in action:Ensuring economic vitalityREALTORS® believe a strong economy with full employment remains the single biggest key to our quality of life. A healthy economy sustains vibrant communities for living and working. Commercial, industrial and residential growth, in turn, sustains a healthy economy. Economic development brings new opportunity and improved quality of life for city residents by increasing jobs, tax base, purchasing power, diversity, availability of goods and services and offering community revitalization and improvement. An increased tax base is crucial to government’s ability to deliver necessary public services, new amenities for neighborhoods and maintain infrastructure to serve the needs of the community. Providing housing opportunities REALTORS believe home ownership is the dream of most Canadians, and deserves a preferred place in our system of values. Home ownership contributes to community responsibility; civic, economic, business and employment stability; family security and well being. Every Canadian has the right to safe, decent and affordable housing near where they work, shop and play, and that choice in style and location is critical to increasing home ownership. Furthermore, these objectives should be met through market-driven approaches that foster a wide range of urban, suburban and rural housing choices at all price levels. Accommodating growth relieves pressure on housing prices and provides increased opportunities for home ownership. Preserving our environment REALTORS® recognize the incredible gift of our country’s natural environment. We recognize the importance of parks, open space and the environment to our quality of life and, therefore, the marketability of surrounding property. To maintain our quality of life and protect the environment, REALTORS® support policies that encourage conservation and wise use of natural resources. To protect the environment effectively, REALTORS® believe government must accommodate quality commercial, industrial and residential growth using innovative planning techniques. At the same time, the government must recognize the need for a healthy economy, the importance of local decision-making, private property rights and attainable homeownership opportunities. Protecting property owners REALTORS® believe private property rights are fundamental to our free-market economic system. REALTORS® recognize and protect the natural right to own property. A strong economy depends upon preserving the right to freely own, use and transfer real property. Building better communities REALTORS® believe communities flourish best when they offer a high quality of life at a reasonable cost. Livable communities offer a variety of affordable housing choices, nearby employment opportunities, an economically viable commercial sector, good schools, safe neighbourhoods, quality public services, ample recreation and park areas, open space and efficient transportation systems. To promote livable communities, governments should encourage quality growth through policies that sufficiently fund transportation and infrastructure that provides the framework for a community’s quality of life, and lays the essential groundwork for accommodating commercial, industrial and residential growth. Keep your eye posted on this page for more details! . This information is provided by the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®. The information herein is believed to be accurate and timely, but no warranty as such is expressed or implied. | |||||||||||||||
London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®, 342 Commissioners Rd.W., London, Ontario. N6J 1Y3 - Phone 519-641-1400 - Fax 519-641-4613
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