GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION IN METRO VANCOUVER: “We were all trying to figure out what the ISMP was. And how it was different from a traditional Master Drainage Plan or Stormwater Management Plan,” stated Ray Fung, a retired Director of Engineering in local government, and former Chair of the Green Infrastructure Partnership
Note to Reader:
Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on May 14, 2024 featured Ray Fung, a Past-Chair of the Green Infrastructure Partnership in British Columbia. In the 2000s, the Green Infrastructure Partnership played a prominent role in leading changes in local government attitudes in the Metro Vancouver region. Between 1996 and 2020, Ray Fung sat at several local government regional tables in Metro Vancouver. This lived experience provides context for his reflections.
Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver
“A confluence of events and circumstances brought a mix of key players together in 2003. It was a teachable year because of the impact of drought, forest fires and floods on public consciousness,” states Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.
“This was a once in a generation reachable moment because minds were open and receptive to the message, we must do better.”
“Between 1996 and 2020, Ray Fung sat at several local government regional tables in Metro Vancouver. During this period, he followed in the footsteps of Chuck Gale and Paul Ham and served as chair of the Green Infrastructure Partnership from 2008 until 2010.”
Knowing what we know now, learn from and build on past experience
“When one thinks of the issues we face today in BC…weather extremes, drying rivers, degraded streams, frequent wildfires, population growth, housing affordability…they are no different than they were 20 years ago. They are just more complex and more urgent,” continues Kim Stephens.
“When a situation is dire, turning it around fairly quickly requires deep knowledge plus trust. This is the context for featuring Ray Fung and sharing his story about the Green Infrastructure Partnership.”
“His experience as a champion in the vanguard of change informs his reflections on green infrastructure innovation and the journey in the Metro Vancouver region. This lived experience explains his belief in the power and potential of storytelling to motivate and inspire a new generation of champions.”
Something happened and the Metro Vancouver region lost momentum after 2010
In the 2000s, the Green Infrastructure Partnership played a prominent role in leading changes in local government attitudes in the Metro Vancouver region. This influence cascaded from elected representative at Municipal Council and Regional Board tables to practitioners in the trenches.
“Never before has there been such a need for the knowledge keepers and storytellers,” Ray Fung emphasizes when he talks about effectiveness in tackling current issues being dependent on deep knowledge and trust.
“How do you judge that time with the advantage of hindsight? It is always a confluence of different things. Certainly, there was a specific confluence of individuals who were around the table. We had all been colleagues for a while and knew each other.”
“Also, at that time regionally, it was the beginnings of the ISMP process, which is the acronym for Integrated Stormwater Management Plans. So, we were all trying to figure out what the ISMP was. And how it was different from a traditional Master Drainage Plan or Stormwater Management Plan.”
Design With Nature: call to action to walk the talk for sustainable community design
“When we brought four groups together in 2003 and founded the Green Infrastructure Partnership, the term green infrastructure was not in the local government lexicon, whether in BC or beyond. Chuck Gale brought instant credibility as chair because of his stature among local governments and with the Province,” recalls Ray Fung.
“It was 2005 when the nascent Green Infrastructure Partnership broadened the context for local government innovation. We framed a Design With Nature approach to community development in terms of six objectives that would reduce risk and liability.”
“These objectives embrace yet transcend engineered infrastructure to provide a comprehensive view. It is a systems lens that stands the test of time.”
“When we refer to designing with nature, we are borrowing from Ian McHarg and the title of his 1969 book. We are consistent with what McHarg intended in terms of ecological planning and letting the landscape inform development.”
TO LEARN MORE:
To read the complete story, download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Green Infrastructure Innovation in the Metro Vancouver region.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Ray-Fung-about-Green-Infrastructure-Partnershp_2024.pdf