Green Infrastructure

The Town of View Royal has a vision for a regional fibre optic network owned by local government. In an age of senior government downloading, combined with higher community expectations for more and more services, the Town sees a fibre optic network creating opportunities for local government to generate new revenue streams.

The Town of View Royal has developed a Green Infrastructure Grant Template that establishes a provincial benchmark for other municipalities to measure themselves against when applying for senior government funding. As part of the program for the 2008 Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation Series, the Town is sharing its template with other municipalities.

The report titled Green Building in British Columbia: A Special Report for Architects, Engineers and Contractors was created by the Light House Sustainable Building Centre to facilitate and accelerate market transformation and economic development activities for the sustainable building cluster in British Columbia.

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.

In a landmark decision in August 2008, the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board issued a ruling requiring that cities and counties around Puget Sound take significantly more aggressive steps to reduce rainwater/ stormwater runoff. The Board concluded that greater use of 'low impact development' techniques is required.

This project in the City of Surrey is designed to achieve the LEED Gold level of sustainable implementation.

The Fife City Council recently took a bold step to encourage low-impact development (LID) for all construction projects within the city. Under the new requirements, low-impact techniques would be required as part of all stormwater drainage permits within the city.

While its uses are well known in rural areas where open jars on rooftops are the norm, urban Malaysia is just beginning to reap its benefits. Lecturer Norhaiza Nordin of University College of Engineering and Technology in Kuantan said that proper use of rainwater under the Rain Water Management System could minimise erosion and flooding.

“Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead”, a collaboration among four New Hampshire women, promises a new way of thinking about shaping home grounds and public spaces in the Northeas United Statest.

The mission of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is to protect and maintain the integrity of the natural environment while promoting the growth, prosperity and quality of life of Alberta’s communities. Implementation of low impact development practices will lead to healthier, more sustainable watersheds.