Committee of the Whole/Documents/Housing + Climate Crisis: Local Planning with Nature-Based Infrastructure
Presentation
Housing + Climate Crisis: Local Planning with Nature-Based Infrastructure
July 9, 2024Pages 15–4324 sections
Presentation by Patricia Dijak regarding the integration of nature-based solutions into urban planning to address climate change and housing.
July, 2024Presenter: Patricia Dijak, B.Eng35 BC local gov’ts: OCPs committed to Low Carbon Resilience & Natural Asset InventoriesRecommendation: Specify 40% Natural/Green Space for new developments
Housing + Climate Crisis: Local Planning with Nature-Based Infrastructure
by Patricia Dijak, B.Eng July, 2024 Transformative Climate Action 2024 University of Victoria
- Density with Biodiversity
- Global and Local Standards
- Next Steps for View Royal
Page 15–43
G20 Priority: Nature-based Solutions for Cities
Include in all mitigation and adaptation strategies
Awareness of the potential for NbS to enhance life in cities needs to shift at every level -- from civil servants in planning departments, to individual developers, to citizens choosing the priorities for their own city. Involving environmental experts in the planning and design of urban areas.
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Low Carbon Resilience
Pathway 4: Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
- Natural Asset Management
- Climate Adaptation: heat, stormwater, watersheds, carbon sequestration, soil health
- Biodiversity public/private lands
- Regional ecological corridors
- Landscaping guidelines, permeable surfaces
- OCP inclusion
Page 15–43
Nature-based Solutions
- Nature integrated with cities, not in isolated parks, forests, wetlands
- Natural, semi-natural, novel city ecosystems (not only ESAs)
- Natural + built infrastructure planned together at start
- Reduce Emissions: 17% average
- Change behaviour – more local walking, biking, recreation
- Carbon sequestration
- Reduce Impacts: heat, pollution, floods, biodiversity loss
Nature-based Infrastructure is the only way countries can achieve progress on Sustainable Development Goals, Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement at the same time. ~ UN Environment Programme
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Nature-Based Infrastructure
Clean air & water * Physical & mental health * Safety * Taxpayer savings $ * Economy $
Nature-based Solutions reduce emissions & burdens on health care, water, stormwater, BC Hydro systems.
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Nature-Based Infrastructure vs. Not Climate Resilient
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Heat Planning in New Developments
- Temperatures: 12°C hotter than treed areas
- Natural Infrastructure, Clean Air & Water: no room
- Lost Generation: trees require >decade growth to provide natural asset services
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CRD Commitments
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Unique Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Zone
- Garry Oak & Arbutus
- Unique in Canada, most endangered in BC, globally significant
- Urban: not remote forests
- 0.3% of BC area, 75% of BC population
- 80% of land privately owned; 30-40% tree canopy targets
- Requires both public & private land to save biodiversity
- Small CDF Zone is in urban areas, not remote forests. Cannot risk more losses of soil, Garry Oak (95% loss), wildlife (Western Bluebirds extirpated 1995)
- Coastal Western Hemlock Zone starts in Langford
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Action #1: OCP, Bylaw, Development Process Updates
- Natural + Built Infrastructure planned together:
- Privately developed lots affect health of regional ecosystems & watersheds
- "One of the most pressing issues in CRD watersheds is the effect of urbanization"
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Climate Adaptation Guidance
- SETBACKS: canopy needs 5-6 m
- MAX COVERAGE: doesn’t include parking or impermeable spaces
- Focus: built infrastructure
3 layers of vegetation support wildlife lifecycle for: Clean Air & Water, Oxygen, Reduced Heat & Rainfall Stress
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Action #1: OCP, Bylaw, & Municipal Process Updates
- OCP: Include BC’s “Pathway 4” Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions
- Land Use & Urban Design
- Housing
- Climate Change
- Built & Natural Infrastructure: watersheds; water conservation; stormwater; heat islands; CDF Zone protection; natural, semi-natural, & urban ecosystem corridors
- Parks & Recreation
- Economic Development
- Development Permit Areas
- Development Applications to comply with OCP listed Objectives
- Sites don’t have to be within an ESA
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Natural & Engineered Assets
| Stormwater & Flood Management | Natural Asset Cost | Engineered Asset Cost to Replace Natural Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Nanaimo (city centre): Buttertubs Marsh Conservation Area (BMCA) wildlife sanctuary | Reclaimed 22+hectares by City, Nature Trust of BC, Ducks Unlimited 1974 to 2024 [75,000 visitors/yr, tourism & wellness] | $4.7M to $8.2M |
| West Vancouver: Brothers Creek tributary | $327k Daylighting 90 metres [co-benefits: green space, water quality, wildlife viewing] | $300k New Culvert |
| Gibsons: White Tower Park Natural Ponds | $5k/yr + $45k one-time modelling/assessment | $3.5M to $4M |
| Courtney (downtown): Courtney River, private & public lots | Reclamation plans: widen river, reinstate natural flow, acquire land | $723k to $2.4M (some engineered assets required) |
- 35 BC local gov’ts: OCPs committed to Low Carbon Resilience & Natural Asset Inventories (CSA standards)
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CRD Economy: Watersheds & Wildlife
- Tourism Victoria: 2023 Conde Nast Traveler readers voted Victoria #1 Best Small City in the World
- “Travellers from around the world … took in breathtaking seascapes along our pristine coastline, and connected with the region’s rugged rainforests from tidepool to treetop”
- CRD has 3 of BC’s 7 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries: “National Treasures”
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Latoria Development
- Latoria Creek Park depends on health of Latoria Creek
- “As the largest park in Royal Bay, use of Latoria Creek Park is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.”
- Royal Bay (former quarry): takes >10 years to establish mature trees & vegetation
- Albert Lagoon: everything flows in
To enable NbS, “land use planning and development strategies that embrace the dynamic nature of flood and erosion risk are needed.” ~ CSA Group
- Close to road & development. Risks to creek health from urban runoff, flooding, erosion.
- “The extremely limited riparian buffer zone along Latoria Road poses the highest risk to water quality in Latoria Creek as there is virtually no opportunity for filtration of road run-off before it enters the Creek … Future development … may result in a reduction of the potential suitability for wildlife …” ~WSP Canada, 2022 Latoria Creek study
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Yukon & 63rd Vancouver
Rain City Strategy Green Infrastructure Implementation
3 Layers for Ecosystem Services
- Trees
- Shrubs
- Groundcovers
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Toronto: Design Guidelines
Guiding Principles: Growing Trees in City Sidewalks
- More Soil
- Larger Pavement Openings
- Integrate Utilities Into Root Zones
- Strategic, Cost-effective Design
- More soil
- Bird-friendly buildings
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CRD Examples
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Guelph: Design Guidelines
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Netherlands: New Boszoom Neighbourhood in Pijnacker-Nootdorp
With “Green-Blue Heart”
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Action #1: OCP, Bylaw, & Municipal Process Updates
- Integrate Natural Assets into Asset Management & Nature-based Solutions into all depts
- Specify 40% Natural/Green Space for new developments
- Meets 35-40% Urban Canopy targets & Wildlife Corridors (~70% native)
- Allows 60% for Lot Coverage (building footprint) + Parking + Walkways/Patios
- “Open Space” should be Green (not hardscape)
- Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) for community health & resilience
- Public Amenities: Park Walkways, Green/Wildlife Corridors, Floodplains, etc. (not only rec facilities, libraries, or active transport)
- Front/Back Setbacks: 5-6 metres space for trees
- Green Corridors (Private & Public) leading to Biodiversity Hotspots
- Landscaping guidelines & bonds
- 3 Layers of trees, shrubs, groundcovers; & permeable surfaces
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Action #2: Land Use Planning – Advisory Panels
- Update Land-Use Advisory Panels:
- Currently only built infrastructure experts (finance, real estate, architecture)
- Mandate more “Nature-based Solutions” experts, eg., ecologists, environmental analysts, zoologists:
- UVic, CDFCP, ENGO conservation & watershed groups, etc.
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Action #3: Public Incentives
- Offer Tax Rebates (property or income tax) to businesses & citizens to:
- Remove impermeable surfaces
- Add drought tolerant native plants & replace lawns
- Offer Sustainability Grants for pollinator demo gardens and education
- For Clean Air/Water: distribute 3 layers of vegetation to residents for complete wildlife lifecycle
- Trees, shrubs, groundcovers
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Thank You
District of North Vancouver
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Document Images
(84)
Cover of book titled "Nature-First Cities: Restoring Relationships with Ecosystems and with Each Other" by Cam Brewer, Herb Hammond, and Sean Markey
Diagram of "Natural, Semi-Natural, & Novel City Ecosystems" illustrating the continuum from "Natural Infrastructure" (Diverse & Resilient Forests, Clean freshwater streams, Wetlands) to "Built Infrastructure" (Large park trees, Pollinator gardens, Connected Street Trees, Hedge row Plantings, Bioswales, Private Trees, Private Gardens, Rain Gardens, Green roofs, Street trees, Permeable Pavers). The categories span across Natural Area Parks, Urban Parks, Streetscape, Residential, and Commercial zones.
Photograph of a Western Bluebird
Table titled "BC Housing Guidance" showing Provincial Guidance for multi-unit housing: Min Front Setback (2 m), Min Rear Setback (1.5 m), Min Side Setback (1.2 m), Max Roof Height (11 m), Max Coverage (50%), Parking Spaces/Unit (1)
Rendering of a climate-adapted home featuring a reduced building footprint, solar panels, a green roof, and tiered vegetation consisting of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers
Aerial photograph showing Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo adjacent to residential areas
Photo of an orca surfacing in the ocean
Detailed neighborhood map of Colwood showing parklands, schools, and neighborhood boundaries for Latoria and Royal Bay
Land use map of the Latoria development area with colored zones for Neighbourhood Centre (orange), Hillside and Shoreline (brown), and Neighbourhood (yellow)
Organizational flowchart showing Advisory Bodies, Public, Staff, Plans and Policies, and Regulation and Legislation as inputs into Council Decision Making
Extracted from: 2024 07 09 Committee of the Whole Agenda - Agenda - Pdf