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