The Editor,
I live in a five-year-old high-rise condominium. It has modern elevators and a pleasant, clean ambience.
Its security is tight, so movement is very restricted - consequently there is little opportunity to get to know one's fellow residents and to socialize.
Exchanges are mainly possible only while using the elevators. A bulletin board is not available so even this means of communication within the community is not possible.
With the Richmond council's plans for densification going ahead, I hope that builders will be required to meet new regulations so that these housing towers must include suitable areas for playing and socializing to foster a community spirit within them.
The complex I live in has about 350 units. That means there are at least 700 to 1000 people living in it, the equivalent of a small town. To meet the physical/social needs of this number, there is a sauna, a sixperson hot pool and an exercise room with three walking machines, two bicycles and a weight-lifting apparatus. The common room is closed at 4 p.m. and therefore not very useful since residents are probably away during the day.
The mindless exercise machines foster only the adult individual's physical development. There is no games room (ping pong, mah jong, chess or whatever) where people (including children) actually play and interact with each other.
There is definitely no inside place for children to run, shout, cry, chase and play with each other. Yes, there are playgrounds outside, but nothing inside for the many rainy, cold days we have in Richmond. The apartment becomes a virtual prison.
I think this paucity of good common areas is a result of builders' natural desire to maximize profits - apartments generate income, common facilities don't.
I believe, therefore, that our city "fathers" should act quickly to increase the requirements for more common/play space in future densely populated structures so residents have spaces in which to feel part of a community, get to know their neighbours and meet the needs of everyone living in them.
Most importantly, this should be done for the sake of the youth who have no voice to express what they would like to see in a place they call their home.
Merrill Muttart
Richmond
