An Urban Watershed Approach
to Climate Resilience
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
June 28, 2019
Chandra Sharma MCIP RPP
Director
Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority
Outline
• About Conservation Authorities
• Climate Risk And Vulnerabilities
• Climate Resilience Strategies
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 3
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
The Beginning and Evolution of Conservation Authorities
4
The Evolution of Floodplain Management
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 5
Pre-Hurricane
Hazel
Development
Near Water
Infrastructure
Era
Water Control &
Conveyance
Floodplain Protection
Allow Natural Channel
Process Build Outside
Flood Plain
What flood plain mapping is used for:
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 6
Risk Assessments Real Time Flood Forecasting Tools Flood Plain Land-Use Regulation
Watershed Planning and Ecology Emergency Management Flood Remediation
Avoid putting people where it is risky
Flood Plain Management Now
Urbanization and Climate Constraints or Opportunities?
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 7
15 SPAs (Flood Damage Centres)
42 FVA Clusters
Special Policy Area
Climate Risks and VulnerabilitiesAug 9, 2005 and July 8, 2013 Storms
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Building Climate Resilience through Local Partnerships• Science and Information
• Watershed Science and Flood Plain Mapping
• Climate projections• Translated climate data products
• Adaptation and Mitigation Planning • Vulnerability and risk assessments• Sustainable community Planning • Community Energy Planning
• Capacity Building and Training• Training Sessions and Coaching
• Reporting and Evaluation• Frameworks & Sharing Best Practices
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 9
Climate Science and Information
• Translating complex data into useable graphs, summaries and outputs
• Co-producing climate trends and projections for municipal partners
• Training events and guidance on proper use of climate data for various applications (e.g., infrastructure design, natural resource management, ecosystem restoration priorities, etc.)
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Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessments
• Research, spatial data, and the tools to guide interventions across a portfolio or system…
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Scoping
Set-up
Vulnerability & Risk Analysis
Risk Treatment
Prioritizing Flood Mitigation
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 12
Redevelop, Remediate, Retrofit, Restore – Green Infrastructure and Complete Communities
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
13
Green Technologies for a New Water Management Regime
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 14
Natural drainage
Rainwater cistern Biofilter
Permeable Pavers
Paving and vegetation in courtyard
Fitness path and drainage swale
Courtesy: Schollen & Co.
Sustainable Neighbourhood –SNAP• Depave Paradise, Burnhamthorpe,
Mississauga
• Harvest the Rain, Black Creek
• Public Relm Renewal, Markham
• County Court bio-filter swale, Brampton
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 15
Employment Lands Partners in Project Green: GTAA Pearson Eco-Business Zone
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 16
EV Network Project
144 EV charging ports installed
across GTA
18 organizations both private
and municipalities
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 17
Climate Professional Development: Building Staff Capacity
• Developing robust climate information for municipal staff
• Kick start conversations around experiential learning
• Building awareness and knowledge on climate science, risks and opportunities
• Improve municipal ability to plan for service delivery
• Improved protection of staff and community members
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www.trca.ca
Thankyou Questions?