Agenda Index City of Vancouver

POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE/ENVIRONMENT/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT/OTHER

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Corporate Management Team

SUBJECT:

Creating a Sustainable City

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

B. THAT the City of Vancouver Principles for Sustainability be used to:

:

D. THAT significant new city-wide policies and programs proposed to Council include comments on the consequences of the proposals on furthering the City of Vancouver's Sustainability Agenda.

F. THAT the Corporate Management Team be responsible for implementing sustainability initiatives throughout the City organization and, in support of this initiative:

H. THAT Council direct the Sustainability Support Group to report back by June 2003 with a work program, organizational structure, and funding requirements for ongoing program development, sustainability training, and communications.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing noting that this is a new corporate initiative to maintain Vancouver's livability, social, and economic vitality. The proposed Sustainability Support Group will report back with a fuller analysis of initiatives and resources to enhance Sustainability initiatives. Ultimately, the City's objective should be to incorporate enhanced sustainability into all the City operations as a "way of doing business".

COUNCIL POLICY

Appendix "A" identifies policies and programs approved by Council over the years to address environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues. They emerged as important City concerns through community feedback, political leadership, and interaction with other governments and agencies. Implementation includes consultation with citizens, local organizations, and other levels of government. Example policies include:
· Vancouver Energy Strategy 1979
· Clouds of Change 1990
· City Environment Policy and Action Plan 1996
· Solid Waste Management Plan 1994
· CityPlan 1995
· Vancouver Transportation Plan 1997

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

This report proposes that the City of Vancouver initiate a comprehensive and coordinated program to advance the economic, social, and ecological sustainability of the city and its neighbourhoods. The report proposes a working definition of sustainability and principles to guide city progress towards ensuring that development occurs, and services are delivered, in a way which does not degrade and eventually destroy the ecosystems and communities that contribute to our quality of life.

A work program is proposed to inventory existing City sustainability initiatives and gaps and formulate a Vancouver Sustainable Action Strategy in order to advance sustainability for the Corporation and broader community. Funding for the initial implementation of the program is proposed to come from the Strategic Initiatives Fund.

This program is timely. Vancouver is facing new challenges and responsibilities with limited resources. Actions which encourage economic, social, and ecological sustainability are essential for maintaining the health of our economy and the quality of our neighbourhoods.

The GVRD is initiating a review of the Livable Region Strategic Plan with a focus on improving sustainability. The "Cities Plus" project is developing a 100 year plan for a Sustainable Region. The Olympic Bid has sustainability as one of its key objectives. The Federal Government and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund Program is an example of a national sustainability initiative. As the largest city in BC, Vancouver can play a leadership role in advancing sustainable urban living.

BACKGROUND

The notion that actions taken by governments must conserve resources and minimize impacts on the environment has been growing in awareness over the past half century. In 1990, City Council established the Special Office for the Environment (SOE). The initial emphasis on environmental initiatives is broadening. More recently, the long term economic and social consequences of actions are also receiving attention. These movements have been grouped under the term "sustainability".

The City of Vancouver is frequently cited as one of the most livable cities in the world. The challenge facing the City is how to sustain livability as Vancouver grows, as the needs of residents change, and as the broader context of the city - the world, national, provincial, and regional -- environment, social, and economic circumstances alter.

The City of Vancouver has, over the years, adopted many policies and programs which contain sustainable elements (see Appendix "A"). However, the City has not drawn these initiatives together into a comprehensive policy to enhance sustainability. There are no agreed principles to guide sustainable decisions in the City. There is no process to systematically monitor and improve the City's progress towards a more sustainablecommunity. Nor is there a plan in place to educate staff and the public about more sustainable actions.

In September 2001, City Manager Judy Rogers raised the issue of sustainability with the Corporate Management Team. The General Manager of Engineering Services and the General Manager of Parks and Recreation volunteered to assess opportunities to enhance sustainability. Concurrently, a group of staff initiated a lunch hour lecture series to raise internal awareness of sustainability initiatives.

From these two initiatives a working group was formed to prepare a strategy for addressing sustainability. The work group included the General Manager of Engineering Services Dave Rudberg, and Engineers Kevin Van Vliet and Brian Davies; General Manager of Parks and Recreation Susan Mundick and Director of Parks Planning and Operations Piet Rutgers; Director of City Plans Ann McAfee (working group chair) and Ian Smith Senior Planner; Director of Environmental Health, Vancouver-Coastal Health Region Nick Losito; Director of Real Estate Services Bruce Maitland; Director of Facilities Development Clyde Hosein; Mario Lee, Social Planner; and Susan Yates, Library.

The Sustainability Working Group had as tasks to:

· identify a definition for a sustainable community applicable to Vancouver;
· identify principles to advance sustainability;
· document illustrative examples of existing city initiatives that support sustainable principles and areas for improvement;
· review sustainability initiatives in other cities; and
· report the results of the review.

The findings and recommendations from the working group follow.

SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES

Much has been written about the consequences of continuing urban and economic development patterns which use resources faster than they can be replaced thereby contributing to pollution and poverty. The "Sustainable Development Movement" is a program of actions for local and global reform to develop, test, and disseminate ways to change how development occurs and services are delivered such that the ecosystems and community systems (cities, neighbourhoods, and families) that contribute to our quality of life are not lost.

Local governments are major players in sustainability. Cities build and maintain infrastructure, and set standards, regulations, taxes, and fees. Local governments produce "products" that are "sold" to the market. These products include environmental services(water, waste management, land use control), economic services (e.g. transportation infrastructure) and social services (e.g. community facilities, public safety, literacy, youth and drug response programs). Sustainable development requires that local governments ensure that municipal services can be sustained and equitably distributed today and for future generations. Achieving this objective requires a strategic approach that equally factors long-term community, ecological, and economic concerns into the development and provision of today's municipal services.

To set a context for developing and implementing a more sustainable Vancouver, staff propose a working definition of sustainability and nine principles which we, as a City, should strive to achieve.

Definition of a Sustainable Vancouver:

"A sustainable Vancouver is a community that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

It is a place where people live, work, and prosper in a vibrant community of communities.

In such a community, sustainability is achieved through community participation and the reconciliation of short and long term economic, social, and ecological well-being"

Sustainability Principles:

"Sustainability is a direction rather than a destination. A sustainable city is one that protects and enhances the immediate and long-term well being of a city and its citizens, while providing the highest quality of life possible. Sustainability requires integrated decision-making that takes into account economic, ecological, and social impacts as a whole.

A Sustainable Vancouver embraces all of the following principles:

1. Today's decisions must not compromise the choices of our children and future generations.
2. We are all accountable for our individual and collective actions.

3. Resources must be used fairly and efficiently without compromising the sustainability of one community for another.

4. Using renewable resources is encouraged and supported, while the use of non-renewable resources should be minimized.

5. Renewable resource consumption should not exceed the rate of regeneration.

6. Strong collaboration and open communication between the public, the business sector, and all levels of government are important.

7. We value cultural, economic, and environmental diversity.

8. A community should provide a safe, healthy, and viable setting for human interaction, education, employment, recreation, and cultural development.

9. A sustainable Vancouver contributes to, and provides leadership towards, regional, provincial, national, and global sustainability."

Recommendation "A" proposes that Council adopt this definition of sustainability and nine principles as a working definition to guide City actions. Recommendation "C" proposes that existing policies and programs be reviewed to increase sustainability throughout the City's operations. Recommendation "D" proposes that significant new city-wide policies and programs include advice on how the initiatives advance sustainability objectives. Recommendation "E" seeks support from Civic Boards.

The Definition and Principles are proposed as a "work in progress". No doubt, as a result of using the sustainability principles, the definition and principles will evolve over time as more is learned about achieving local sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY EXAMPLES IN VANCOUVER

Examples of existing policies and programs which enhance sustainability are listed in Appendix "A". Two inter-departmental programs specifically designed to enhance sustainability are:

· The Special Office for the Environment (SOE) was established in 1990. The proposed responsibilities included: reporting to Council on senior government actions concerning the environment that might impact on the City; producing State of the Environment reports; producing an Environmental Policy and Environmental Agenda for the City (adopted 1996); initiating Environmental Audits for City operations; developing climate protection initiatives; administering the Environmental Grants Program; and establishing and administering the Environment Week functions including the Mayor's Environmental Awards. Two staff positions are assigned to advance SOE initiatives. Recent activities have focussed on grant and awards programs and Environmental Week activities.

Today, SOE does not appear as an entity on the City's organization charts. Rather, it is a "virtual office" which involves staff in the City's Environmental Protection Branch and staff in Environmental Health (provided through a service contract with the Vancouver-Coastal Health Authority) closely coordinating their efforts.

· The Southeast False Creek Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood (SEFC) emerged as an initiative recommended by the Clouds of Change Report in 1990. In the mid-1990s Council approved planning for a "model sustainable urban neighbourhood" for an 80 acre site along the southeast shore of False Creek. Considerable research and invention of the idea of a sustainable urban neighbourhood is being done to achieve several key goals:

In 1999 Council approved the SEFC Policy Statement to develop a complete community where people can work, play, and learn within walking, cycling, or convenient transit distance. Buildings will be resource efficient green buildings. Open spaces offer recreation, urban forest, surface water management, and community gardens. Neighbourhood design will reduce energy, water, liquid and solid waste, and air pollution and increase food production. Objectives are to achieve a 25 percent reduction in energy use, up to 40 percent reduction in per capita greenhouse gas emissions, and 50 percent reduction in per capita water consumption compared to typical neighbourhoods.

The SEFC Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood initiative is being developed by an inter-departmental team, managed by the Central Area Branch of the Planning Department, and including staff from Real Estate, Engineering, and the Park Board.

These two programs represent the City's most noted sustainability initiatives. As described in Appendix "A",there are many other policies and programs directed toward sustainability. However, there are significant gaps. The following section describes some example City policies and programs to illustrate sustainable actions and areas for improvement.

Solid Waste: Adopting a goal of reducing solid waste disposal by 50 percent, along with the implementation of numerous waste reducing programs, supports the principles of using both renewable and non-renewable resources in cycles. Recycling, yard trimmings collection, and user pay garbage programs reduce disposal allowing future generations to have access to resources, enhance accountability for waste, and encourage the use of renewable resources. There are opportunities to improve on these programs as significant amounts of recyclables and renewable resources continue to be sent to landfills.

Land Use and Transportation Planning: Key City land use and transportation policies, including the Central Area Plan, CityPlan, the Industrial Lands Strategy, and Vancouver Transportation Plan incorporate sustainability principles. Mixing uses by locating housing near jobs and services in the Central Area and by locating more jobs and services in Neighbourhood Centres provides sufficient ridership to support public transit services, minimize congestion and pollution, and offer broader accessibility and housing choice. New high-technology areas (False Creek Flats and Grandview-Boundary) are located on transit and are planned with sufficient density to support pedestrian activity and with enough amenities within the public realm to encourage it. Implementation of these Plans is well underway in the Central Area where 78,000 people now live within walking distance of 150,000 jobs. Outside the Central Area, the concept of Neighbourhood Centres is not yet fully realized. There are opportunities to improve sustainability in the use of land and the provision of services in the city's lower density neighbourhoods through the adoption of community energy plans and making more efficient use of existing services. Similarity, new high technology employment areas are a strategic direction which will evolve over time.

Affordable Housing: Social equity is a key to sustainability, and affordable housing is a key to social equity. Safe, secure, and affordable housing provides the basis for this generation and future generations to prosper both economically and socially. The City's long standing commitment to the provision of social, and other forms of affordable, housing and the integration of affordable housing in new and existing neighbourhoods, is one reason the City of Vancouver is as sustainable as it is. The current fiscal situation presents challenges to the City's affordable housing initiatives. The Housing Centre will need to work closely with senior governments to balance the need for economical capital construction costs and long term operational benefits which are achieved utilizing sustainable building and site approaches.

Energy Efficiency and Civic Buildings: In 1978, commencing with Council's adoption of a "Framework for a Vancouver Energy Strategy", the City began instituting energy conserving measures in its buildings through new design and retrofits incorporating computerized energy management control systems. As a result of these energy initiatives, the City was awarded the BC Hydro Power Smart Excellence award in 1998 for outstanding achievement in energy efficiency. Currently, the City is participating in BC Hydro's Time-of-Use pilot projects whereby electrical loads are shifted during peak periods thus achieving substantial energy cost avoidance. In the fall of 2001, the City joined BC Hydro's E-Point Program to promote energy conservation in City facilities. There are, however, further opportunities to improve sustainability in facilities by incorporating a Green Building design policy in projects being considered in the next Capital Plan.

Integrated Pest Management: In 1987 the Vancouver Park Board adopted an Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPM), which has resulted in significant reductions in the use of chemicals. For the past decade no pesticides have been used on any Vancouver playground, sports field, or turf area. Biological control and other practises have greatly reduced the need for chemical pesticides at the Sunset greenhouses, Bloedel Conservatory, and Van Dusen Gardens. While significant progress has been made, further IPM initiatives on public lands and extension of IPM to include private property could result in significant reductions in the use of chemicals in the city.

Biofiltration: The Park Board and Engineering Services have cooperated on the creation of two biofiltration systems to cleanse stormwater. The Hastings pond collects storm water from the 300 acre residential area to the south of the park, cleans it, and discharges it into Burrard Inlet. Previously this storm water ended up in the sanitary sewage system and was treated at the Iona plant. The Lost Lagoon facility collects runoff from the causeway, cleans it, and discharges it into Lost Lagoon. The water previously ran, untreated, in to Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon. Both facilities offer aesthetic as well as environmental benefits. This approach can be applied to other locations such as South East False Creek.

Public Involvement Strategy and Civic Youth Strategy: Participation in City initiatives is an important component of sustainability. In 2001, Council adopted principles for public involvement. The City is also committed to creating opportunities for youth to be partners in determining the future of the City. The Civic Youth Strategy includes the following objectives: ensuring that youth have a "place" in the city; ensuring a strong youth voice in decision-making; promoting youth as a resource to the city; and strengthening the support base for youth in the city. As the City works towards ensuring that today's decisions do not compromise the choices of future generations, partnerships with our youth are a way of achieving this goal.

These examples are only a few of the initiatives the City is taking to improve sustainability. As noted, these initiatives, while significant, are not being undertaken in a systematic way. Nor can we expect that the City, by itself, can significantly advance sustainability in Vancouver. The daily actions of the private sector and individual citizens are necessary to create a fully sustainable city. Recommendation "B" proposes that partnerships be established with business, institutions, and community groups to encourage others to include sustainability objectives as part of their mission and apply sustainability principles to their actions. Several cities have established "Sustainable Round Tables" to provide advice and partner in implementing sustainability objectives. This is an initiative for Vancouver to explore.

If we are successful in creating a more sustainable Vancouver this will have both short and long term economic benefits. Sustainability boosts tourism as visitors come to enjoy thequalities Vancouver offers. Improved experience with sustainability practices provides an opportunity to export "developed in Vancouver" technologies elsewhere in the world.

CONCURRENT SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

Greater Vancouver Regional District

A focus on sustainability is timely given broader regional initiatives. The existing Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP) focuses on land use and transportation aspects of sustainability. The existing LRSP does not have specific strategies to advance social and economic sustainability.

On January 17, 2002, the GVRD held a conference to ask the question "The Livable Region and Sustainability: Are we on the Right Track?". The conference evaluated progress toward achieving regional plans (Livable Region Strategic Plan, Air Quality Management Plan, and Transportation Plans) and explored ways to advance regional sustainability, through partnering with the voluntary and business sectors. Next steps include:

· reviewing the LRSP in the context of social, economic, and environmental sustainability; and
· advancing partnership opportunities.

The review will lead to revisions to the LRSP to broaden its emphasis on land use and transportation to include economic diversity and social equity. As changes to the LRSP are contemplated, the City will be involved. Revisions to our Regional Context Statement will likely be required.

Cities Plus Program

Greater Vancouver is one of nine metropolitan areas from around the world selected to participate in an International Sustainable Urban Systems Design Competition scheduled for 2003. Participants must show how their metropolitan areas can achieve sustainability by 2100. The project is being coordinated by UBC's Centre for the Study of Global Initiatives. The project's objectives are to showcase Canada's expertise in sustainable innovation and to submit Canada's entry to the 2003 design contribution.

2010 Olympic Bid

The 2010 Olympic Bid has sustainability as one of its key objectives. As a host city, Vancouver can benefit from, and support the Olympic Bid by, demonstrating sustainability at the local level.

Federal /FCM Initiatives

The Federal Government Action Plan 2000 provides over $1.1 billion to address climate change initiatives. The Green Municipal Funds Program supports a wide range of transportation, water, solid waste and energy management projects. The City has applied for funding.

SUSTAINABILITY WORK PROGRAM

The Sustainability Work Group has reviewed sustainability initiatives in other cities.
This included presentations on the "Natural Step" Program implemented by Whistler and reviews of sustainability programs in several cities including Seattle and Portland. Based on discussions with other cities and agencies, where active sustainability programs are in place, the working group has concluded that to successfully advance sustainability in a comprehensive and coordinated way requires resources dedicated to this task.

Two models have been reviewed to advance sustainability:

· Option One is to create a department or office for sustainability. Seattle uses this model through an Office of Sustainability and Environment comprised of five full time staff and temporary secondments. Portland has a twenty-six person Office of Sustainable Development. This creates a profile for sustainability though it may also result in other departments feeling less responsible for implementing sustainable actions.

· Option Two is to charge all departments with improving sustainability. This builds city-wide support and actions. In this model a small "Sustainability Support Group" is proposed to assist departments by sharing information about sustainability actions and indicators. This support group assists with staff sustainability training, public education, participation, and communications.

Supporting this approach are comments from Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment. Their goal is to sufficiently integrate sustainability principles across the civic organization such that, at some point in the future, there will be no need for an Office of Sustainability.

Staff recommend that the City start with Option Two. A Sustainability Support Group would be created and have the responsibility to coordinate sustainability assessments and prepare a City of Vancouver Sustainability Action Plan.

The Sustainability Support Group would initially be administered under the Office of the City Manager. An Inter-departmental staff group would provide a Steering Committee toassist the Sustainability Support Group. The Sustainability Support Group would initially have two staff.

Key tasks of the Sustainability Support Group for the next year include:

· Preparation of a comprehensive list of existing City sustainability initiatives and gaps;

· Development of a Vancouver Sustainable Action Strategy to advance sustainability for the Corporation and broader community; and

· By June 2003, recommend a work program, organizational structure, and an ongoing budget for program development, training, and communications to support city-wide sustainability initiatives. This would include:

Other example activities for the Sustainability Support Group include:

· Assembly of an interdepartmental group of staff working on sustainability initiatives to share information, coordinate actions, monitor costs/benefits of sustainability initiatives, and assist in the preparation of a Sustainable Action Strategy;
· Identify "best practices" relevant to Vancouver's sustainability initiatives;
· Provide ideas, information, training, and technical assistance to help City departments to further sustainability in their operations and services;
· Provide a focal point for internal and external communications about sustainability; and
· Explore opportunities for Vancouver to contribute to concurrent sustainability initiatives of other governments, organizations, and agencies.

Appendix "C" describes resource requirements to initiate the Sustainability Support Program. Most of the staff involved in sustainability initiatives will be existing staff from across the organization who are responsible for policy development and delivering services which enhance the city's sustainability. Staff assigned full time to specific sustainability initiativesare currently located in the Environmental Protection Branch and in the Planning and Engineering Departments. These staff have ongoing commitments which limit their time available to undertake broader city-wide sustainability initiatives.

To advance a coordinated city-wide sustainability initiative, two new full-time positions are proposed -- a Program Manager and an Analyst. Funds are also proposed for program development and outreach. The proposal is to fund the "Sustainability Support Group" for 12 months (June 2002 - June 2003) from the Strategic Initiatives Fund. This fund is designed to finance new civic initiatives during the implementation stage. Recommendation "F" directs staff to report back by June 2003 on a detailed work program and funding required to support ongoing city-wide sustainability initiatives. Assuming the Program continues, following June 2003 the Program would be funded as part of the Annual Operating Budget.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The financial implications raised by this report can be considered from two perspectives. This report proposes implementing a coordinated initiative to advance social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the City of Vancouver. The initial cost is $220,000 to establish two positions and provide some funds for education and program development. Given the currency of sustainability initiatives, it is likely that an ongoing sustainability support program will be required and that the two Office of the Environment staff positions and the two Sustainability Support positions will be combined into what is still, by other city standards, a small sustainability support group.

The bigger financial question is the ultimate benefit and cost to the City of advancing a sustainability agenda. If, as is suggested by recent studies undertaken by the FCM, the way of life we currently enjoy is not sustainable beyond 4 to 6 generations then the cost of responding pales in comparison to the alternatives. Clearly, global costs and benefits are beyond our ability to estimate. It is, however, possible to assess costs and benefits of a number of specific actions the City can take. One of the responsibilities of staff undertaking new sustainability initiatives will be to report on the financial implications of proposals. This will provide information for Council when making program and service decisions (Recommendation "D").

CONCLUSIONS

While the City of Vancouver follows many of the principles for a sustainable city this is not done in a comprehensive or coordinated way. Across the country cities are facing new challenges and responsibilities with limited resources. Actions which encourage the economic, social, and ecological sustainability of cities are essential for maintaining the health of the Canadian economy and our quality of life. Forthcoming initiatives, such as the GVRD Regional Sustainability Initiative and the 2010 Olympic Bid have sustainability askey objectives. As the largest city in BC, Vancouver can play a leadership role in advancing local and national sustainability.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

The following policies and programs, approved by Council over the years, address environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues. They emerged as important City concerns through community feedback, political leadership, and interaction with other governments and agencies. In most cases implementation includes consultation with citizens, local organizations, and other levels of government.

Environment:

· In 1990, a Special Office of the Environment was established to coordinate environmental policy. Responsibilities include: producing state of the environment reports; developing environmental policy and an environmental agenda for the City; completing environmental audits of City operations; developing climate protection initiatives; and administering the City's Environmental Grants Program.

· The City Environment Policy and Environmental Action Plan (1996) commits the City to:

_ Ensuring environmental considerations are integrated into all City of Vancouver decisions respecting planning, growth, service delivery, finance, and operations;
_ Initiating and promoting compliance with City by-laws protective of the environment;
_ Advocating for appropriate environmental protection actions by other levels of government and the private sector;
_ Ensuring that the City's own operations comply with environmental legislation;
_ Involving and communicating with citizens and businesses in the establishment and attainment of the City's environmental objectives;
_ Encouraging and demonstrating the wise use of natural and fiscal resources; and
_ Adopting and updating an environmental agenda and action plan to achieve the City's environmental objectives.

· Recommendations from the "Clouds of Change" report (1990), lead to a number of air quality and climate protection initiatives including traffic reduction, energy efficient land use policies, and a demonstration community in SE False Creek meeting economic, social, and ecological sustainability principles.

· Urban Forestry: In 1990 Council endorsed the Park Board's Street Tree Management Plan to improve tree maintenance and provide for sustained replanting. The Board looks after some 1.5 million trees in parks and 128,000 on the City's streets. As part of this plan, 3400 street trees are planted annually.
In 1991, Council adopted a bylaw to regulate removal and planting of trees on private property.

· In 1987 the Vancouver Park Board adopted an Integrated Pest Management Policy which has resulted in significant reductions in the use of chemicals on public property.

· City Noise, the 1997 Report of the Urban Noise Task Force, led to the establishment of maximum noise levels for certain land uses.

Solid Waste/Stormwater Management

· In 1989, Council approved a solid waste reduction goal of 50 percent. The Solid Waste Management Plan (1994) commits the City to increasing the re-use and recycling of products. In so doing, the City is committed to ensuring that the next 40-50 years of landfill development will occur in the existing landfill footprint. Other initiatives include a large yard trimmings composting facility, wildlife habitat creation at the fill, and recovery of landfill gas for reuse.

· The ongoing sewer main separation program will eliminate combined sewer overflows by 2050.

· Stream day lighting and enhancements are supported through special zoning such as the Still Creek CD-1.

· In 2000, an amendment to single family zoning, which covers about 70 percent of the city, limited impervious surface coverage to 60 percent of the site.

Land Use

· Central Area Plan (1991), minimizes the social, economic, and environmental impacts of commuting by promoting a better balance of jobs and housing within the Central Area by pursuing a "Living First" strategy.

· CityPlan (1995), provides economic, social, and environmental directions including supporting a diverse economy and providing for a mix of housing, jobs, and community services throughout the city to increase accessibility, affordability, and minimize the environmental impacts of travel. CityPlan also contains policies to reduce waste and water use, and to reuse and recycle waste.

Transportation

· The Vancouver Transportation Plan (1997), provides mode split targets and actions to increase opportunities for walking, biking, transit, and goods movement to reduce the demand for new automobile related services. The Plan is being implemented through such measures as bikeways, greenways (Greenways Plan 1994), traffic calming, and transit improvements.

· The City is working with TransLink, the regional transportation agency, to improve transit service in Vancouver through area transit plans and the expansion of rapid transit lines in the region. A comprehensive Vancouver Transit Strategy (2002) is being considered by Council.

Building and Development
· The Framework for a Vancouver Energy Strategy (1979) identified energy conservation ideas to be investigated for their feasibility and cost effectiveness. Since then, the City has initiated conserving measures in its buildings through new design and retrofits. Recent approvals for new civic builds have been to LEED Silver standards.

· The South East False Creek Policy Statement (1999) will guide the development of a demonstration community meeting economic, social, and ecological sustainability principles. The City is also pursuing incorporation of the LEEDs certification program for green buildings into the area's development.

Economic Sustainability

· CityPlan (1995) establishes a "diverse economy" as a city direction. CityPlan, the Central Area Plan (1991), and the City's Regional Context Statement (2000) maintain Vancouver's Downtown as the region's Central Business District and Central Broadway as a significant regional medical-business area.

· The Industrial Lands Strategy (1995) preserves land for industrial, service, and port related uses. The adoption of I-3 High Technology zoning (1999) established the False Creek Flats and Grandview-Boundary as areas for the location of new technology uses.

Social Sustainability/ Public participation

· Affordable Housing Policies, adopted through the 1970s - 1990s, ensure a portion of the housing stock continues to serve lower income needs by making provision for lease of City-owned land for non-market housing, requiring mega projects to include a component of social housing, and through regulations to minimize demolition and conversion of market rental housing.

· Example policies and programs supporting social sustainability include Civic Youth Strategy (1995); Childcare Action Plan (1990); Community Policing; Community Visions; and literacy programs for disadvantaged families and children.

· The Framework for Action in the Downtown East Side (2000), combines social and economic actions to develop a more secure and sustainable community.

· The Public Involvement Strategy (2001) provides principles for public participation in civic affairs.

PROPOSED CITY OF VANCOUVER
DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY
AND
SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES

Definition of a Sustainable Vancouver:

"A sustainable Vancouver is a community that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

It is a place where people live, work, and prosper in a vibrant community of communities.

In such a community, sustainability is achieved through community participation and the reconciliation of short and long term economic, social, and ecological well-being"

Sustainability Principles:

Sustainability is a direction rather than a destination. A sustainable city is one that protects and enhances the immediate and long-term well being of a city and its citizens, while providing the highest quality of life possible. Sustainability requires integrated decision-making that takes into account economic, ecological, and social impacts as a whole.

A Sustainable Vancouver embraces all of the following principles:

1. Today's decisions must not compromise the choices of our children and future generations.

2. We are all accountable for our individual and collective actions.

3. Resources must be used fairly and efficiently without compromising the sustainability of one community for another.

4. Using renewable resources is encouraged and supported, while the use of non-renewable resources should be minimized.

5. Renewable resource consumption should not exceed the rate of regeneration.

6. Strong collaboration and open communication between the public, the business sector, and all levels of government are important.

7. We value cultural, economic, and environmental diversity.

8. A community should provide a safe, healthy, and viable setting for human interaction, education, employment, recreation, and cultural development.

9. A sustainable Vancouver contributes to, and provides leadership towards, regional, provincial, national, and global sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM RESOURCES

STAFFING:*

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Program Manager (Pay Band 11 Regular Full Time) $90,000

Program Analyst (Pay Grade 24 Regular Full Time) 57,000

OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT 6,000

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS 67,000

Funding Source:

* Staffing:

Currently there is one position (Environmental Protection Analyst) located in the Environmental Protection Branch and one position in the Vancouver - Coastal Health Region Environmental Health Department supporting Office of the Environment initiatives. The integration of this work/positions with the Sustainability Support Group will be reviewed and reported as part of the proposed Sustainable Action Strategy and report back on funding requirements.

* * * * *

ag020423.htm

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