When UniverCity hosted the third event in Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver: The 2007 Series, this provided an opportunity to talk about how lessons learned have been translated into a zoning tool.
When UniverCity hosted the third event in Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver: The 2007 Series, those who attended were primarily interested in learning about the precedent-setting plan for rainwater management and watercourse protection. UniverCity is a pioneer application in North America of ‘adaptive management’ in a local government setting.
The Township of Langley's new Civic Centre is a LEED silver building. What makes this project unique is that it is a retrofit.
The Verdant building is a multi-unit stata building in British Columbia which seeking to be the first LEED Gold woodframe residential building in North America.
“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.
“Like most other areas on Vancouver Island, the Comox Valley is at a major cross-roads as to how we will develop and still maintain the natural beauty of our community. This is a real challenge.We are experiencing phenomenal growth. So we are really depending on the practitioners to keep us grounded and realistic so that growth will be sustainable,” stated Starr Winchester, Chair of the Comox-Strathcona Regional District.
“UniverCity is implementing innovative new zoning policies, mandatory green building requirements, and new density bonusing program that has been developed in partnership with the City of Burnaby. The approach that UniverCity is taking will achieve a LEED Silver equivalent,” stated Dale Mikkelsen
