‘Green’ Streets in the City of Vancouver

 

 Note to Readers:

The following story about innovation and leadership in Metro Vancouver is extracted from Chapter 7 of Beyond the Guidebook 2010, released in June 2010. This water-centric guidance document tells the stories of how change is being implemented on the ground in BC. To download a PDF copy of the article below, click on Green Infrastructure in Metro Vancouver

Celebrating Green Infrastructure

By 2005, the City of Vancouver had established two BC precedents with the Country Lanes and Crown Street projects. These demonstrated the ease of rainwater infiltration.

“The City of Vancouver is proud to have contributed to the ‘working with nature’ philosophy and applying the principles of the Water Balance Model to the City’s David desrochers (120p) - manager, sewers & drainage design, city of vancouverOlympic Village project,” states the City’s David Desrochers, Manager, Sewers & Drainage Design.

“Furthermore, we are looking forward to the success of the East Fraserlands redevelopment project as it will become the largest site application of the Water Balance Model in the City of Vancouver.”

To Learn More:

In 2006, the City of Vancouver was a host municipality for the Celebrating Green Infrastructure pilot program. The event was co-hosted the University of British Columbia. The unifying theme was “Greening Local Roadways – Integration of Rainwater Management & Transportation Design”.

To read the complete story, click on Showcasing Innovation in the City of Vancouver and at the University of British Columbia

Also, click on Vancouver’s Green Streets Program encourages streetscape enhancement. The program began in 1994 as a pilot project in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The success of the project inspired other neighbourhoods to get involved and liven up their streets.

And

The process of evolving current design practices for neighbourhoods, roadways, and the minor/major drainage system to manage the total volume – in addition to the peak rate of urban runoff – requires tools for planning and engineered site design.

The City of Vancouver is a founding member of the Inter-Governmental Partnership that developed and is responsible for the Water Balance Model. To learn more, click on Four largest cities in Alberta and British Columbia are “Water Balance Model Partners” —

Green streets in vancouver

Beyond the Guidebook 2010

In October 1997, a focus group workshop convened by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities set in motion a chain of outcomes that culminated in Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia, released in June 2002. This was a catalyst for change that has resulted in British Columbia achieving international recognition as a leader in implementing green infrastructure.

Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is the story of what has been accomplished on the ground over the past decade, through partnerships and collaboration, under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia.

To Learn More:

To download a copy, click on Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia

Beyond the Guidebook 2010_cover

Posted September 2010