“2008 Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation Series on Vancouver Island” featured community-scale projects
Series built on 2007 Georgia Basin program successes to demonstrate what “The New Business As Usual” means
The genesis for the Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation Series on Vancouver Island was a 2005 consultation workshop organized by the Green Infrastructure Partnership. This resulted in the 2007 Showcasing Innovation program, with parallel series held on both sides of the Georgia Basin.
The goal of the Showcasing Innovation Series is to promote networking, inform and educate practitioners, and help local governments move ‘from awareness to action’ in doing business differently — The New Business As Usual — through sharing of approaches, tools, experiences and lessons learned that will ultimately inform a pragmatic strategy for climate change adaptation.
Building on Success
The 2007 Vancouver Island Series was held north of the Malahat under the umbrella of CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island. The Series was hosted by three regional districts, namely: Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Comox-Strathcona.
Building on the interest and momentum generated by the two successful 2007 series, CAVI collaborated with the Capital Regional District and the Green Infrastructure Partnership to present Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in the Capital Region: The 2008 Series.
Design with Nature:
“While the 2007 Series was mainly about networking and relationship-building, the 2008 Showcasing Innovation Series in the Capital Region was about raising the bar and establishing expectations to truly achieve Design with Nature outcomes at a community scale,” reports John Finnie, CAVI Chair (and General Manager, Environmental Services, Regional District of Nanaimo).
Looking Ahead to 2009:
“The 2008 Series featured projects that demonstrated what is meant by The New Business As Usual, and set provincial benchmarks for others to measure themselves against,” adds 
Jody Watson, Harbours & Watersheds Coordinator for the Capital Regional District. “The 2008 Series was a progression, starting with a roadway in View Royal and ending with the mini-municipality that is the University of Victoria. In 2009, we will be looking at different ways to redevelop an entire watershed that flows through three municipalities.”
Summary Reports for 2008 Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation Events
A summary report has been compiled for each of the three events hosted by the Town of View Royal, City of Langford and the University of Victoria. Each summary report consolidates relevant Water Bucket stories under one cover. To download these documents, click on the links below:
- Summary Report on Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in the Town of VIew Royal — The Town showcased its Transportation Master Plan, with the spotlight on the implementation strategy for reconstruction and enhancement of the old Island Highway in phases. Registration was capped at 30. Ten of 13 municipalities in the Capital Region were represented. In addition, there was participation by the District of North Cowichan. To access the complete set of web stories posted on Water Bucket, please click here.
- Summary Report on Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in the City of Langford .— The focus was on how to create neighbourhoods that integrate both good planning and innovative engineering designs, for overall greater sustainability, that is: environmental, social and economic. The event was attended by almost 50 people from a variety of organizations, including 10 of 13 Capital Region municipalities. In addition, the City of Nanaimo and District of North Cowichan were also represented. To access the complete set of web stories posted on Water Bucket, please click here.
- Summary Report on Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation at the University of Victoria — A community of more than 25,000 people, the University of Victoria (UVic) is a case study for green buildings and compact growth. Over the past five years, UVic has been able to transition from an incremental approach in planning and resource management to a water-centric approach that is much more holistic and integrated –– the new business as usual. Over 30 people attended. To access the complete set of web stories posted on Water Bucket, please click here.
Shaping Our Region’s Future
As part of the program for Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation at the University of Victoria, Councillor Vic Derman of the District of Saanich presented his blueprint for action titled The Natural City. “Accomplishing it will not be easy but the rewards will be worth the effort,” stated Derman. “Getting even close to The Natural City would: fulfill the vision of the Regional Growth Strategy, help meet the challenge of climate change and all but guarantee our future economic success. Can we afford to do anything else?”
Well-versed in a water-centric way-of-thinking, Vic Derman chaired the organizing committee and was the driving force behind the highly successful 2006 Water in the City Conference, held in Victoria. He is a Director of the Capital Regional District; and is Vice-Chair of the Capital Region Water Commission.
“Collectively, the three lenses bring our future into focus,” writes Vic Derman. “The picture they define is one of environmental, social and economic sustainability. It portrays a new approach that cannot be accomplished with tinkering and incremental change.Instead, bold and visionary action will be needed.”
Posted October 2008