Changing the Way We Develop Land:Changing the Way We Develop Land:Design with NatureDesign with Nature

Greater Vancouver Regional DistrictThe Sustainable Region InitiativeSustainability Community Breakfast Series

Mayor Pam GoldsmithMayor Pam Goldsmith--Jones and Jones and the Green Infrastructure Partnershipthe Green Infrastructure Partnership

December 13, 2006December 13, 2006

The Core Issue: How Will We Accommodate

A Doubling of the Population & What Will British Columbia Look Like Then?

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Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the Legacy

Convening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGround

Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation Series

Green Infrastructure Performance: OnGreen Infrastructure Performance: On--thethe--Ground Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityResults for East Clayton Sustainable Community

Implementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and Bylaws

Design with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here

In a nutshell, In a nutshell, we have three themes:we have three themes:

TalkTalkActionActionLawLaw

Build a Vision, Create a LegacyBuild a Vision, Create a Legacy

•• Issue:Issue: How Will We Accommodate How Will We Accommodate Settlement Pressures?Settlement Pressures?

•• Impact:Impact: The Landscape is Being Transformed •• Sustainability:Sustainability: Means Design with NatureMeans Design with Nature

•• Built Environment:Built Environment: We Can Improve It We Can Improve It •• Natural Environment:Natural Environment: We Can Protect ItWe Can Protect It•• Cumulative Benefits:Cumulative Benefits: Accrue Over TimeAccrue Over Time•• Desired Outcome:Desired Outcome: Sustain Community LivabilitySustain Community Livability

Green Infrastructure Partnership

THE MISSION:THE MISSION: Facilitate implementation of Facilitate implementation of design with naturedesign with natureinfrastructure practices and regulation provinceinfrastructure practices and regulation province--widewide

Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the Legacy

Convening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGroundCelebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation SeriesGreen Infrastructure Performance: OnGreen Infrastructure Performance: On--thethe--Ground Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityResults for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityImplementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and BylawsDesign with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here

Who are we?Who are we?

Our MissionOur MissionSafeguarding public health and the Safeguarding public health and the environment through sharing of skills, environment through sharing of skills,

knowledge and experience in the water knowledge and experience in the water and wastewater industryand wastewater industry

Water Sustainability Action PlanWater Sustainability Action Planfor BCfor BC

Water Balance ModelWater Balance Model

Water Balance ModelWater Balance Model

The Target

Tota

l Rain

fall

North Vancouver

Single Family Residential Example

www.waterbalance.c

WBM Partners

waterbucket.cawaterbucket.ca is a resourceis a resource--rich rich ‘‘destination locationdestination location’’ for timely for timely

and provocativeand provocativeinformationinformation

www.greeninfrastructure.ca

WaterBucket Website PartnershipWaterBucket Website Partnership

Convening for Action: Convening for Action: Turning Ideas into ActionTurning Ideas into Action

WhatWhat is the problem?is the problem?

So WhatSo What can be done about it?can be done about it?

Now WhatNow What will be done?will be done?

Then WhatThen What –– adaptive managementadaptive management

When When ‘‘convening for actionconvening for action’’, , we build capacity by creating we build capacity by creating

a picture of the future:a picture of the future:

1.1. Vision:Vision: What do you want this place to What do you want this place to look like in 20 years, 50 years?look like in 20 years, 50 years?

2.2. Starting Point:Starting Point: What are you doing to What are you doing to achieve this?achieve this?

3.3. Strategy:Strategy: What are you going to do better What are you going to do better or differently to get from here to there?or differently to get from here to there?

When When ‘‘convening for actionconvening for action’’, , we also build capacity by showing we also build capacity by showing

how to create the future:how to create the future:

1.1. ChallengeChallenge practitioners and others to practitioners and others to step back from existing waysstep back from existing ways--ofof--thinkingthinking

2.2. InformInform them regarding alternativesthem regarding alternatives

3.3. ProvideProvide the tools & experience to the tools & experience to develop land and use water differentlydevelop land and use water differently

We are turning ideas into action We are turning ideas into action through regional pilot programs:through regional pilot programs:

South OkanaganSouth Okanagan ––Water for Life & LivelihoodsWater for Life & Livelihoods

Vancouver IslandVancouver Island ––Framework for WaterFramework for Water--Centric Centric Land Development ApprovalsLand Development Approvals

Greater VancouverGreater Vancouver ––Celebrating Green Infrastructure Celebrating Green Infrastructure & Showcasing Innovation& Showcasing Innovation

Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the LegacyConvening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGround

Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation SeriesGreen Infrastructure Performance: OnGreen Infrastructure Performance: On--thethe--Ground Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityResults for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityImplementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and BylawsDesign with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here

A A ‘‘Design with NatureDesign with Nature’’ approach to approach to community design meanscommunity design means……

Develop compact, Develop compact, complete communitiescomplete communitiesIncrease transportation Increase transportation optionsoptionsReduce the loads on water, Reduce the loads on water, waste and energy systemswaste and energy systemsProtect and restore urban Protect and restore urban ‘‘greengreen’’ spacespaceStrive for a lighter Strive for a lighter ‘‘hydrologic footprinthydrologic footprint’’Achieve higher levels of Achieve higher levels of receiving water protectionreceiving water protection

In May 2005, we convened In May 2005, we convened a Consultation Workshop that resulted in a Consultation Workshop that resulted in

‘‘Celebrating Green InfrastructureCelebrating Green Infrastructure’’

Because it is lonely Because it is lonely being a champion, being a champion, and everyone in local and everyone in local government is so busy, government is so busy, participants expressed participants expressed a strong desire to pool a strong desire to pool resources and convene resources and convene onon--thethe--ground to share ground to share ‘‘how to do ithow to do it’’ experiencesexperiences

The goal in Showcasing Innovation The goal in Showcasing Innovation is to build regional capacity is to build regional capacity ……

…… by sharing green infrastructure approaches, by sharing green infrastructure approaches, experiences and lessons learned as an experiences and lessons learned as an

outcome of outcome of ‘‘designing with naturedesigning with nature’’..

2006 Showcasing Innovation Series2006 Showcasing Innovation SeriesDistrict of North VancouverDistrict of North Vancouver

North Vancouver used a lane, an arterial North Vancouver used a lane, an arterial highway and the Maplewood community to highway and the Maplewood community to illustrate the benefits of innovation. illustrate the benefits of innovation.

Richard Boase

Porous Pavement Lane in Lower Capilano

Dollarton Arterial Highway pioneered use of infiltration

2006 Showcasing Innovation Series2006 Showcasing Innovation SeriesCity of SurreyCity of Surrey

The SurreyThe Surrey focus was on what can be focus was on what can be accomplished onaccomplished on--thethe--ground, now and over the ground, now and over the next 50 years, to restore watershed function. next 50 years, to restore watershed function.

East Clayton Sustainable Community

Jim Dumont presents vision forgoing “Beyond the Guidebook”

Councilor Judy Higginbotham explains Council’s visionfor Campbell Heights Business Park

TransLink Hybrid Bus

2006 Showcasing Innovation Series2006 Showcasing Innovation SeriesUBC and City of VancouverUBC and City of Vancouver

UBC and Vancouver have demonstrated how to UBC and Vancouver have demonstrated how to build truly build truly ‘‘greengreen’’ streets by integrating rainwater streets by integrating rainwater management and transportation designmanagement and transportation design

David Desrochers: “Someone has to build the first one so that others will follow.”

David Grigg: “Beyond the Moment”

Crown Street Country Lane

Sustainability Street

Connecting People – We Make It Easy!

Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the LegacyConvening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGroundCelebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation Series

Green Infrastructure Performance: Green Infrastructure Performance: OnOn--thethe--Ground Results for East Clayton Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunitySustainable CommunityImplementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and BylawsDesign with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here

Practical Examples Practical Examples

ClaytonYou are Here

CampbellFergus

LowlandsLowlands

DevelopHere

Flood Here

Volume & Flow RateVolume & Flow Rate

The Problem of DevelopmentThe Problem of Development

♦ Development is Change– Housing is needed

♦ Land Change = Environment Changes

– Potential Flooding– Potential Erosion

Objectives Objectives

♦ Control Runoff Volume to Pre-Development

♦ Control Runoff Rates to Pre-Development

SolutionsSolutions

♦ No development♦ Develop with Best Management Practices

– Disconnect Roof Leaders– Provide more soil to absorb water– Soak water back into the ground

Disconnected Roof LeadersDisconnected Roof Leaders

♦ Disconnect roof water from the drain♦ Requires more time to flow to the storm

sewer♦ Water faces many perils on its way to the

storm sewer; Plants consume it, animals drink it, heat evaporates it, soil absorbs it.

♦ The journey improves it.

Disconnected Roof LeadersDisconnected Roof LeadersLow Tech

Easy to maintain

Absorbent LandscapeAbsorbent Landscape

♦ Landscaping absorbs water:– Landscape soils – Plants– Depression Storage

♦ Basic Absorbent Landscape = Dirt & Grass

300 mm Top Soil 300 mm Top Soil -- Dirt CheapDirt Cheap

Drain Tile

Disconnected Roof Leaders

300mm Enhanced Topsoil

The Magic of DirtThe Magic of Dirt

EffectivenessEffectiveness

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Natural Forest(target)

Connected RoofLeader

Enhanced Topsoil

2 yr/24 hr (64.6 mm)

Run

off a

nd In

filtr

atio

n Vo

lum

es (m

m)

RunoffInfiltration

Target

50% of Target

And Disconnected Roof Leaders

Soaking it AwaySoaking it Away

♦ Replace the original exfiltration with a more compact version.

♦ Increased depth and longer contact time

In My YardIn My Yard

ExfiltrationExfiltrationDeviceDevice

Finished InletFinished InletRear yard lawn basin

Lawn Basin

Front Yard InletFront Yard Inlet

Drain Tile

Disconnected Roof Leaders

300mm Enhanced Topsoil

Lawn Drain

Rock Pit

Dirt PlusDirt Plus

Effectiveness Effectiveness –– Volume ReductionVolume Reduction

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

NaturalForest (target)

ConnectedRoof Leader

EnhancedTopsoil

Exfiltration &Topsoil

2 yr/24 hr (64.6 mm)

Run

off a

nd In

filtr

atio

n Vo

lum

es (m

m)

RunoffInfiltration

Target

50% of Target

54% of Target

Effectiveness Effectiveness –– Peak Rate ControlPeak Rate ControlDryDry

Effectiveness Effectiveness –– Peak Rate Control Peak Rate Control WetWet

60%Of TargetTarget

RoadsRoads

♦ Usually Impervious♦ Approximately 10% of the area of

development.♦ Potential for significant reductions

Curb Cuts to BoulevardCurb Cuts to Boulevard

Road side swalesRoad side swales

Landscaping and SwalesLandscaping and Swales

Commercial Applications OF Commercial Applications OF BMPBMP’’ss

♦ Campbell Heights Industrial Park♦ South Surrey Wal-Mart & Superstore

Drainage SystemDrainage System

Commercial Site BioCommercial Site Bio--FiltrationFiltration

Commercial Site Commercial Site ExfiltrationExfiltration PitPit

Does it Work?Does it Work?♦ Benefit /

Performance♦ Costs♦ Improvements

Is water flowing downhill ?– Design details– Construction– Inspection– Short term Performance– Long term performance – Maintenance– Desirability– The race is on

What are the BugsWhat are the Bugs

Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the LegacyConvening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGroundCelebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation SeriesGreen Infrastructure Performance: Green Infrastructure Performance: OnOn--thethe--Ground Results for East Clayton Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunitySustainable Community

Implementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and BylawsDesign with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here

Policies and bylawsPolicies and bylaws

Start with regional context and planning. Start with regional context and planning. Set goals and priorities related to: Set goals and priorities related to:

Environmentally sensitive areas Environmentally sensitive areas -- wetlands, wetlands, streams, forests and other green spacesstreams, forests and other green spacesFarmland or other working landsFarmland or other working landsWatershed contextWatershed contextConnecting transportation infrastructureConnecting transportation infrastructureEstablish an urban containment boundary and Establish an urban containment boundary and set policy to maintain itset policy to maintain it

Local community leadershipLocal community leadership

Work towards a vision; your OCP should Work towards a vision; your OCP should provide guidance and directionprovide guidance and directionPlan for water and energy management. Plan for water and energy management.

What do you need to do now to get to where you want What do you need to do now to get to where you want to be?to be?Are there alternatives? Conservation opportunities?Are there alternatives? Conservation opportunities?

Other leadership opportunitiesOther leadership opportunitiesSustainability checklistSustainability checklistCivic green buildings policyCivic green buildings policyDistrict heatDistrict heatRetrofit programRetrofit program

BylawsBylawsIntegrated rain water management bylaw Integrated rain water management bylaw –– e.g. e.g. MetchosinMetchosin

Target: address 90% of rain water onsiteTarget: address 90% of rain water onsiteAddress water quality (pollution controls) and quantity Address water quality (pollution controls) and quantity (runoff controls)(runoff controls)Effective impervious surface area limitsEffective impervious surface area limitsStandards for development, operation and Standards for development, operation and maintenancemaintenanceRain water runoff calculations, rain water infiltration, Rain water runoff calculations, rain water infiltration, treatment and detention methods/technologiestreatment and detention methods/technologiesRain water management plansRain water management plansMonitoring and inspectionMonitoring and inspection

Other bylaws and toolsOther bylaws and tools……Impervious surface limits and runImpervious surface limits and run--off controlsoff controlsParking Parking –– design standards design standards -- surface area, surface area, specifications, materials, bicyclespecifications, materials, bicycleTree protection, landscaping and screeningTree protection, landscaping and screeningSoil removal/deposit, erosion and sediment Soil removal/deposit, erosion and sediment control, especially during constructioncontrol, especially during constructionSubdivision development standards for low Subdivision development standards for low impact developmentimpact developmentCovenants for onCovenants for on--site rainwater managementsite rainwater management

Financial tools to support policyFinancial tools to support policy

DCC adjustments to address onDCC adjustments to address on--site water site water treatmenttreatmentTax breaks for Tax breaks for ESAsESAs protected with a protected with a conservation covenantconservation covenantSet policy to limit capital expenditures on Set policy to limit capital expenditures on infrastructure for edge areas that are likely infrastructure for edge areas that are likely to be unsustainable developmentto be unsustainable developmentCapital infrastructure planning and Capital infrastructure planning and reporting reporting –– find the savingsfind the savings

Innovative leadership, process Innovative leadership, process and followand follow--upup

Identify champions to lead and get Identify champions to lead and get everybody on the same pageeverybody on the same pageIntegrate staff project decisionIntegrate staff project decision--making to making to encourage innovation and efficiencyencourage innovation and efficiencyMonitor and report on resultsMonitor and report on resultsUse adaptive management to ensure Use adaptive management to ensure constant improvementconstant improvement

Presentation Road MapPresentation Road Map

Create the Vision, Build the LegacyCreate the Vision, Build the Legacy

Convening for Action in British Columbia: Convening for Action in British Columbia: Turning Ideas Into Action OnTurning Ideas Into Action On--thethe--GroundGround

Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Celebrating Green Infrastructure: Showcasing Innovation SeriesShowcasing Innovation Series

Green Infrastructure Performance: OnGreen Infrastructure Performance: On--thethe--Ground Ground Results for East Clayton Sustainable CommunityResults for East Clayton Sustainable Community

Implementing Green Infrastructure Implementing Green Infrastructure through Policies and Bylawsthrough Policies and Bylaws

Design with Nature: Where We Go From HereDesign with Nature: Where We Go From Here