Green Infrastructure

Ramin Seifi (120p) – Director of the Community Development Division, Langley
Beyond the Guidebook 2010
The goal in showcasing innovation is to promote networking and build regional capacity….by sharing green infrastructure approaches, tools, experiences and lessons learned as an outcome of designing with nature.

“We have some 500 kilometres of roadways, and we have embarked upon a long-term program to systematically and incrementally improve the urban landscape. The corporate vision is to enhance community liveability by beautifying streets, one block at a time,” states Hugh Fraser

According to Joan Carne, ECO-EDUCATION through community art helps people understand their connections to water and to make changes to protect streams, rivers, lakes and our one ocean. Stream of Dreams murals are CALLS TO ACTION to take care of water!

“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 Olympic Village project and the East Fraserlands redevelopment project,” stated David Desrochers.

“I don’t worry so much about oil, because you have alternate sources of energy. I worry about water and I worry about phosphorus. Without ‘em, nothing can live. Nutrient removal and recovery is a good example of what we must continue to espouse – resource recovery and reuse MUST be part of everyday life in a modern society, to sustain our enviable lifestyle,” stated Don Mavinic.

The problem is that paved surfaces contribute to stormwater pollution. The solution is clear. Removal of impervious pavements will reconnect people to the natural world.

Brock Dolman (120p) – WATER Institute
The workshop provides a timely forum for 'convening for action' to advance a new culture for watershed protection and restoration in British Columbia. There is a need in many areas for human development designs to move from drainage to retainage.

“Elmer Avenue looks very different now than the blocks around it. A long list of agencies, from the federal Bureau of Reclamation to the city of L.A.'s sanitation department, had a hand in demonstrating new ways to manage stormwater here,” reported Molly Peterson.

“Green infrastructure is a fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable answer to today’s water challenges. It manages rainwater by treating it like a resource – and it works with nature, rather than against it,” writes Gart Belan.

At the 2009 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Series, Rob Buchan explained how the Development Review Committee is helping to achieve the City’s sustainability vision.