Convening for Action in British Columbia

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Surrey’s green infrastructure evolution – from pilot projects to watershed-based actions” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in November 2023

November 7, 2023 - Posted in ...2023, PUBLICATIONS & DOWNLOADS

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 7, 2023 featured Paul Ham, former General Manager of Engineering with the City of Surrey. A generation ago, his quiet and unassuming leadership behind the scenes made the green infrastructure movement possible in British Columbia. As chair, he provided the Green Infrastructure Partnership with early credibility.

Green infrastructure genesis in British Columbia

Paul Ham spent 34 years with the City of Surrey, retiring as General Manager of Engineering. Without Paul Ham’s quiet and unassuming leadership behind the scenes, would the green infrastructure movement in British Columbia have successfully launched a generation ago?

Somebody had to go first and establish the landmark precedent. That is what the City of Surrey did with the East Clayton Sustainable Community. Green infrastructure innovation at a community scale! It all started with East Clayton and an idea in 1998 on how to solve a multi-faceted problem.

Bringing a new way of doing business to fruition was hard work for all involved but the stars were in alignment. As so often is the case, it is about the right people in the right place at the right time.

North America’s FIRST large-scale “sustainable” residential community…that is East Clayton’s claim to fame! Success gave Surrey the confidence and the momentum to learn and adapt through a building blocks process that continues to this day.

The precedent established with East Clayton also inspired other municipalities to take up the sustainability challenge and learn by doing.

A milestone in BC’s environmental history

In 2005, Paul Ham succeeded Chuck Gale as chair of the newly formed Green Infrastructure Partnership.

“The paradigm-shift that occurred during Paul Ham’s watch far exceeds our original expectation that the Green Infrastructure Partnership would be a catalyst for change,” stated Chuck Gale in a 2008 statement. ”I am so proud of all those committed participants who have been instrumental in making this initiative an unqualified success in BC’s environmental history.”

Paul Ham provided the Green Infrastructure Partnership with enhanced credibility at the regional engineers table. Their support enabled the partnership to lead a “convening for action” initiative in the Lower Mainland region.

Upon incorporation of the Partnership for Water Sustainability as a legal entity in 2010, it assumed the responsibilities of the Green Infrastructure Partnership and is the keeper of the “green infrastructure legacy”.

To Learn More:

To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Surrey’s green infrastructure evolution – from pilot projects to watershed-based actions. The downloadable version includes a Bonus Feature – the complete interview with Paul Ham.