“The 2008 Series featured projects that demonstrate what is meant by ‘The New Business As Usual’, and set provincial benchmarks for others to measure themselves against. The series was a progression, starting with a roadway in View Royal and ending with the mini-municipality that is the University of Victoria,” stated Jody Watson.
“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,” explained Eric Bonham.
UVic transitioned to a water-centric approach that is holistic and integrated –– the new business as usual. “This transformational experience resulted in a new vision for constructing water and energy efficient buildings in a built environment that respects the natural environment. UVic is leading by example,” reports Sarah Webb.
“I really wanted to be here today. The Showcasing Innovation Series is a major priority for me because this is where it happens. Later this morning I will be chairing a meeting of the Metro Vancouver Board, and I will tell them about where I was this morning. And I will get them excited about hosting showcasing events in their municipalities too,” stated Mayor Lois Jackson.
“A showcasing event is not a conference. Neither is it a workshop nor seminar in the conventional sense. Rather the purpose of the presentations is to whet the appetites of participants for the site tour that follows. The quality one-on-one conversations take place on the bus and when we go for a walkabout,” reports Kim Stephens.
“At the 2005 consultation workshop hosted by the City of Surrey, Metro Vancouver municipalities told us that they wanted to hear firsthand from those who are implementing green infrastructure, and they want to see what it looks like. In response to this need, 2006 was the first year of the Showcasing Innovation Series. In Year Two, our aim was to continue promoting region-wide networking and sharing of lessons learned, explained Paul Ham.
“Through the Urban Containment Boundary, we have avoided urban sprawl and we are doing our best to do what is right; and that is why the RDN Board is both supporting and partnering with CAVI. As a Board, we believe it is our job to protect the quality of life values that attract people to Vancouver Island,” stated Joe Stanhope, Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
“The event attracted over 60 people, including a contingent from Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast. The audience comprised representatives from Metro Vancouver, thirteen municipalities, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a half-dozen private sector organizations, and several non-government organizations. Included in the audience were senior managers and on-the-ground practitioners,” reports Kim Stephens.
Building on the theme of limitations and planning for the future, Cowichan Valley Chair Jon Lefebure noted there is an engine of development. “We have to think about how to operate that engine differently, We must focus on preserving what we have that provides our qualtiy of life. Moving foward from today, I would like the political leadership of Vancouver Island to be more proactive.”
“The Township of Langley is a community of 100,000 of which 80% of the land area is within the Agricultural Land Reserve. This presents a delicate balance between the preservation of agricultural land and the continued pressure for urban development. It is within this context that the staff and Council champion the theme of harmony and integration as we endeavour to focus on ‘green’ initiatives and programs,” stated Councillor Charlie Fox.
