Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “When read together, the stories of conversations with 13 green infrastructure influencers in the Metro Vancouver region paint a picture of what it takes to innovate and lead changes in practice in the local government setting,” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director, Partnership for Water Sustainability

May 13, 2025 - Posted in Living Water Smart: The Series, published in 2025

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. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective (REPRODUCED BELOW), and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on May 13, 2025 is an introduction to and a high-level overview of Part B of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure in Metro Vancouver from 1994 through 2024. The 100-page Part B is included as an attachment. It is a sweeping narrative that brings to life an era.

Part B feature and consolidates the stories of 13 “green infrastructure influences”. Each of their stories was published previously in 2023-2024 as a series of preview extracts.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“Three decades ago, there was trouble in paradise. All communities in the Lower Mainland and along the east coast of Vancouver Island were under intense pressure and knew they had to do something about it,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

“Launched by the Province in 1994, the Georgia Basin Initiative was a call to action. Municipalities were all-in. By the 2010s, however, the energy dissipated, and the region lost its way because municipalities lost sight of the goal.”

When everything is in alignment, transformational changes are possible

“With the passage of time, it is possible to view the Metro Vancouver regional picture in context. It is clear what elements are necessary for success. The synthesis below identifies the 10 elements of a regional team approach to municipal collaboration that powers change,” continued Kim Stephens.

Most of all, there must be political commitment

“A unifying theme in conversations with 13 green infrastructure influencers is that staff champions in local government can only carry things so far. Only when someone who is elected takes the lead, and is the champion, does something happen.”

“In the 2000s, everything was in alignment. The right people were in the right place at the right time. There was energy, there was passion. The regional team approach to municipal collaboration brought all the players together for a shared mission. They learned from each other; they moved forward in tandem. This established a series of precedents for peer-based learning.”

“Writing the 7-part Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation is my way of giving back. This 700-page tome brings to life an exciting period in local government “convening for action” history,” concluded Kim Stephens.

To Learn More:

Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Regional Team Approach to Municipal Collaboration Powers Change.