DOWNLOAD A COPY: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Regional Team Approach to Municipal Collaboration Powers Change”– released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in May 2025
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. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway (REPRODUCED BELOW), Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on May 13, 2025 is an introduction to and a high-level overview of Part B of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure in Metro Vancouver from 1994 through 2024. The 100-page Part B is included as an attachment. It is a sweeping narrative that brings to life an era.
Part B feature and consolidates the stories of 13 “green infrastructure influences”. Each of their stories was published previously in 2023-2024 as a series of preview extracts.
Regional Team Approach to Municipal Collaboration Powers Change
“In the broad sweep of history, seven Metro Vancouver member municipalities merit recognition as incubators for green infrastructure innovation over the past 30 years. The seven are Surrey, Township of Langley, Coquitlam, Delta, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District, and Burnaby (as the home of UniverCity),” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.
“Interviews with Green Infrastructure Influencers is the second installment in the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation. Political commitment is a theme that weaves through and permeates the stories behind the stories of innovators who have led by example. Without leadership at the top, plus everything else being in alignment, change is unlikely.”
Political leadership matters!
“Surrey and Coquitlam were early adopters when each committed to a watershed-based approach to setting objectives. Surrey evolved an integrated process for developing Neighbor Concept Plans and servicing plans. Coquitlam’s Official Community Plan requires that watershed plans be developed first and neighbourhood plans second.”
“Circa 2000 Langley, North Vancouver City and Delta recognized the cumulative benefits of a landscape-based approach to rainwater management design. All three municipalities embraced a guiding philosophy for enhancing city streetscapes through integration of rain gardens as a matter of policy.”
“North Vancouver District could always be counted on to be a proving ground for the application of innovative tools and approaches. District leadership manifested itself in seven provincially significant initiatives.”
To Learn More:
Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Regional Team Approach to Municipal Collaboration Powers Change.
