“It takes time to change the local government culture. BC communities now have the tools and the case study experience to ‘design with nature’. British Columbia is at a tipping point. Beyond the Guidebook 2010 sets the stage for ensuring that future settlement change (development) is in balance with ecology,” states Ted van der Gulik.
“Stream health protection is a driver for Beyond the Guidebook 2010. The runoff-based approach addresses the interaction of runoff with the physical aspects considered important to the aquatic environment. The approach leads to setting achievable watershed targets that would accomplish the most benefit for the stream,” states Kim Stephens.
Beyond the Guidebook 2010 synthesized a set of ten guiding principles that provide a framework for a successful local government implementation process. “So, what we mean by shared responsibility is that everyone has a role, and everyone can act…. all levels of government, developers, regulators, bureaucrats, consultants, planners, engineers…. we all have a role,” stated Ray Fung.
“The Forum was a success. We have been getting some pretty good feedback from many of the people who attended the workshop (specifically developers and consultants). It’s leading into more direct communication with certain developers who are looking at different approaches … they seemed encouraged with the dialogue that the forum appeared to promote,” stated Remi Dube,
“We have incorporated a session about Beyond the Guidebook 2010 because it demonstrates what can be accomplished when one implements a culture change. Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is the story of doing business differently in the local government setting, and connecting with the community,” states Pia Nagpal.
“Bringing together local government practitioners in neutral forums has enabled implementers to collaborate as regional teams. Their action-oriented focus has resulted in ‘how to do it’ examples that help decision-makers visualize what ‘design with nature’ policy goals look like on the ground,” observes Eric Bonham
“The Beyond the Guidebook initiative initiated a course correction that will help local governments and the development community establish what level of rainwater runoff volume reduction makes sense. The objective of protecting stream health is broader than how much volume one can infiltrate on a particular development,” stated Corino Salomi.
The City is leading by example in demonstrating on-the-ground applications of a 'design with nature' approach within the highly urban Lonsdale Avenue corridor. “”Rain gardens have been included in bus bulges on Lonsdale to minimize the impact of the built environment on the City’s small streams. But this is just part of the picture,” stated Tony Barber.
A key challenge in ensuring urban stream health has been getting all the players involved in the community to move in the same direction. The aim is to improve the management of urban watersheds through the implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices,” wrote Deborah Carlson.
“What has been lacking is this – written information on green infrastructure from the perspective of elected officials, for elected officials,” said Kim Stephens.
