Making the Case for the Future of Faith-Built Assets
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| | | | Sacred Spaces, Civic Value Making the Case for the Future of Faith-Built Assets Across Canada, the number of church congregations are dwindling and costs to maintain their faith-built spaces—essential community assets—continue to rise. Looking ahead, nearly one-third of the country’s 27,000 churches and faith-built spaces could close within the next decade. These buildings serve as multi-purpose community spaces for non-profits, daycares, new immigrants and refugees, arts and cultural organizations, food banks, and recovery groups to name a few, making them essential for the social, cultural, and civic functioning of every neighbourhood. This makes the loss of faith buildings a problem—for everyone. In response, the latest call to action from the Canadian Urban Institute highlights the urgent need for collaboration between religious and secular leaders to preserve these spaces as critical community infrastructure. Discover "Sacred Spaces, Civic Value: Making the Case for the Future of Faith-Built Assets" today. | | | |
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| Montréal, QC | Source: Unsplash | Credit: JpValery2017 |
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of faith-spaces are located near or on a main street |
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sq. feet of community space will be lost per faith space closure |
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Christian churches closed between 2009-2018 |
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in land value was shifted through the 2009-2018 period of closures |
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of religious spaces are estimated to close over the next 10 years |
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represents the average value of faith-built assets in Canada |
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| | | | Sherbrooke, QC | Credit: VertigeEscalade | | This moment represents an unprecedented opportunity for Canada to invest in these essential civic assets as a form of resilience infrastructure and discover opportunities for vital reconciliation with Indigenous communities. By collaborating with local governments, developers, and community organizations, adaptations could preserve the historical and cultural significance of these spaces while meeting modern needs. Sacred Spaces, Civic Value provides a blueprint for action, urging government leaders, policymakers, and municipalities to recognize faith-built spaces as essential civic assets that should be preserved and repurposed for the benefit of local communities. Recommendations outline sustainable investment arrangements and shared governance approaches that will work for current and future uses. | | | | | St. James Park in Toronto, ON | Credit: Leandro Santos | | "For centuries, communities of all sizes in Canada have benefitted from an array of activities and services offered in buildings built originally by communities of faith. This marriage of sacred and secular was borne out of both necessity and convenience. Communities needed multi-purpose spaces for shared purposes, ranging from used clothing sales and food pantries to concerts and self-help groups." —Mary W. Rowe, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Institute Explore Sacred Spaces, Civic Value: Making the Case for the Future of Faith-Built Assets today to discover how these valuable multi-purpose community spaces, often located in high traffic areas, could be reimagined and repurposed as community hubs or housing accessible to everyone. | | | |
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| The Quarry Theatre in St.John's, NL | Source: ArchDaily | Credit: PhilipVile2015 | |
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| | | Copyright © 2024 Canadian Urban Institute |
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