Archive:

2015

Incorporating Natural Capital in Infrastructure Management: Gibson’s Eco-Asset Strategy


“Natural capital assets, such as green space, aquifers, foreshore area and creeks, can be as effective as engineered (or grey) infrastructure in water management. When considering the civil function that many of our natural assets perform, in many instances at a fraction of the cost of engineered assets, it makes good sense to recognize and manage them in a manner that reflects their true worth,” concluded Dave Newman.

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Leading Change in British Columbia: “Bring nature into the DNA of decision-making to build resilient communities,” says Emanuel Machado, Town of Gibsons CAO


“Canadian municipalities must innovate to address at least three major, interconnected issues now and over the coming years. The Town of Gibsons, just north of Vancouver, is pioneering a strategy that could contribute to the efforts of municipalities in BC and elsewhere to address these issues. The Gibsons ‘eco-asset strategy’ is proving to be an effective financial and municipal management approach,” stated Emanuel Machado.

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Asset Management BC Newsletter (Summer 2015): “Local infrastructure is the foundation for communities,” states Gord Hume, author and former municipal Councillor


“Leading asset managers in Canada, will have a greater role to play as cities design and re-build their infrastructure. From public transit to social housing, from how we use our streets and sidewalks, it is not just a numbers game on a spreadsheet. This is why it is urgent for them to understand the importance and the changing role of urban design, and the public realm, and how people use it,” stated Gord Hume.

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Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: Supporting the Vision for Integration of Natural Systems Thinking into “The BC Framework”


“Coined in 2010, the term Sustainable Service Delivery was introduced by the Province to integrate financial accountability, infrastructure sustainability and service delivery. While the BC Framework was only launched in early 2015, it has garnered both national and international attention. Other provinces, as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, are integrating the BC Framework into their respective work,” wrote Glen Brown.

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Green Streets in Los Angeles: A New Source of Water Supply


In 2015, the City of Los Angeles approved guidelines for street stormwater management and is working on an ordinance to require new green infrastructure for all public streets. Green streets will be critical to satisfy a Los Angeles mandate to cut its use of imported water by half by 2024, said Public Works Commissioner Heather Repenning. Every time it rains, she said, 40 percent of the water now heads out to sea — after picking up street pollutants in its path.

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Report Urges Use of Green Infrastructure to ‘Climate Proof’ Cities


“Man-made infrastructure used to be the default for most discussions about protecting at-risk communities. Now, science is showing us that natural defenses like dunes, wetlands, mussel beds, forests and oyster reefs can help to keep us safe from future disasters by absorbing floodwaters, reducing wave energy and helping defend against storm surges, with the added benefits of increasing wildlife habitat, absorbing carbon pollution that is the cause of climate change, and making our city more aesthetically pleasing and livable,” stated Bill Ulfelder.

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Natural Catastrophes: A Canadian Economic Perspective on a Changing Climate


“Regardless of the cause, it’s clear that natural catastrophes are a major issue for Canada. With no sign that things are going to be getting any better, it’s prudent for businesses and policy-makers to start thinking of the long term-implications, and place a larger emphasis on catastrophes when making investment decisions,” wrote Craig Alexander, TD Economics.

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CONVENING FOR ACTION IN NORTH AMERICA: “Green and practical solutions urgently needed for excess stormwater management,” concluded the inter-governmental Commission for Environmental Cooperation


“Green infrastructure and better land-use planning not only mitigate excess stormwater effects, but can also bring considerable environmental, social and economic benefits. We also know that it is equally important to promote local community engagement in the adoption of innovative, practical and environmentally sustainable solutions through better public education and participation on the issue,” stated Gustavo Alanís-Ortega, JPAC Chair.

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