The American experience provides a frame of reference for comparing the effectiveness of a top-down regulatory approach with the 'bottom-up' educational approach in British Columbia.
An absorbent topsoil layer has emerged as a fundamental building block for achieving water sustainability outcomes through implementation of green infrastructure practices. The Primer Set is an example of Shared Responsibility.
“All of us have an impact on the land, on the water, and on the way things look. We all have a part to play in sustainable development. Bill 27 creates statutory authority for water sustainability action,” stated Susan Rutherford.
Written by Susan Rutherord, the paper discusses New Requirements and New Opportunities, as well as Strategies for overcoming challenges and making the best use of the powers for achieving each of four Green Action objectives, including water sustainability.
“Beyond the Guidebook supports and/or complements other provincial initiatives that will influence the form and function of the built environment and green infrastructure,” wrote Glen Brown.
Vincent Lalonde (120p)
The program design was approached from a shared responsibility perspective; it explored how policy and legal tools can help developers, regulators and designers collaborate to ensure responsible outcomes.
“It is sometimes hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since the City initiated the East Clayton plan. With the passage of time, we tend to take the early innovation for granted. The early results from East Clayton gave Surrey the confidence to implement Low Impact Development objectives in two plans,” stated Paul Ham.
“The question and issue format enabled a seamless transition into a town hall discussion where seminar participants talked about what they have done or what they want to do. Kevin Lagan and Derek Richmond of the City of Courtenay provided me with some questions that were at the forefront of their minds. I morphed what they gave me into generic questions. Previously when I made presentations, I focused on the legal tools and then worked from the legal tools to how do you apply them. In the Comox Valley seminar we flipped that upside down by saying: I have this problem, now what do I do in terms of a solution,” explained Susan Rutherford.
An investigative report by Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund) highlights innovative green solutions that could stop billions of litres of raw sewage from fouling the Great Lakes each year. The report also provides practical examples of green infrastructure techniques used in various cities.
In British Columbia, the Local Government Act vests the responsibility for drainage with municipalities. The Green Infrastructure Partnership has prepared a Commentary that identifies specific actions and commitments for greening the built environment and protecting watershed health.
