TIER ONE CHAMPION FOR AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: Professor Emeritus Patrick Condon is a larger than life character at the University of BC. A compelling speaker, he is master of the soundbite. He served as the James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments and led the “Sustainability by Design” project.
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, Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on October 28, 2025 featured the third installment of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver. Part C covers the period 1997 through 2005. It tells the story of what led up to publication of Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia in 2002, and the impact of what followed in the wake of publication.
Ninety-eight pages long, Part C is a sweeping narrative weaves quotable quote to bring to life an era. It is included as an attachment to of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
Patrick Condon, University of BC
“Patrick Condon is a larger than life character. A compelling speaker, he is master of the soundbite. Consider, for example, his immortal curbs are evil. He moved to BC from the USA in 1992. So, it was early days in Patrick’s tenure at UBC when Erik Karlsen connected us,” wrote Kim Stephens, author of the Green Infrastructure Chronicle and Executive Director with the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC.
“For more than a decade, Patrick and my paths were closely intertwined and our collaboration was mutually beneficial. He is also influenced my thinking in profound ways, He helped inspire me to develop the Water Balance Methodology to reconnect hydrology and stream ecology.”
“The core content for the SmartStorm Forum Series was built around Bill Derry, Patrick Condon, Erik Karlsen and me. Our messaging was powerful and we complemented each other’s skillsets seamlessly.”
“What the cell is to the body, the site is to the region…a quarter-century ago, that Patrick Condon quotable quote was the call to action to fundamentally change drainage engineering practice in British Columbia from Stormwater Management to interdisciplinary Rainwater Management.”
What the cell is the body, the site is to the region
“Patrick thinks on a grand scale. Just consider the title of his classic book, Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World. Recognizing the need for collaboration on the ground as a fundamental part of designing sustainable communities, however, Patrick has pioneered public engagement methods.”
“One of his many claims to fame is his skillful use of charrettes. They were the foundation for Headwaters Project success in East Clayton.”
“In my mind. Patrick’s all-time compelling soundbite is…”what the cell is to the body, the site is to region”. That was the paradigm-shift; and that view of the world got me thinking about how we can and must turn problems into opportunities, one property at a time, over time.”
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: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
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