A Strategic Approach to Sustainability and the Future for the Town of Qualicum Beach September 17, 2009
Overview Introduction Sustainability overview Key trends and issues Update on Qualicum Beach projects The 8 Pillars of a sustainable community Perspectives The ICSP / OCP project overview Conclusoin
The Destination UN Bruntland Report (1987) Our Common Future Economic Activity Definition: Meeting the needs of today s generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs Economists concluded we cannot manage the 21st century in the same way as the 20th Environmental & Social impacts DESTINATION JOURNEY
Sustainable Development Key Points: Economic, social and environmental health are interdependent Longer time lines (50-100 years) Global to local scales Institutions are now the front line DESTINATION JOURNEY Economy Society Planet (environment)
Challenges & Goals of Sustainability Key Challenges Sustainability Goals Climate Change / Air Quality Fossil Fuel & Energy Supply Waste / Resource Scarcity Water Quantity/Quality Supply Ecosystem Damage Food Supply Risks Economic Boom and Bust Income Disparity, Endemic Disease Reduce Emissions Renewable Energy / Efficiency Reducing Waste / Recycling Better Water Management Ecological Design / Protection Organic / Local Supply Resilient, Prosperous Economy Equity; Healthy Population; others DESTINATION JOURNEY
Trend 1) Climate Change Atmospheric Carbon (20 yrs) Stern Report 2006-09 UK under 450-550 ppm = 1% GDP ~ 2 degrees Over 550 ppm - 50% GDP ~4-6 degrees (current path) Mass extinctions / planet = desert Negative impacts on communities and ecosystems Qualicum beach: Waterfront Aquifer Storms, droughts DESTINATION JOURNEY
BC Carbon Reality 80% reduction target by 2050 Carbon neutral govt ~ 2012 BC overall - 33% reduction by 2020 Equiv 50% less / capita (growth adjusted) DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Reduce emissions Bldgs and transportation Switch to low/no carbon energy Plan approach to offsets Plan for adaptability to climate impacts
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to best respond to the climate change challenge? Notebook
Trend 2) Energy shift? Peak Oil Intl Energy Assoc 2009 most comprehensive study ever
Other Energy Coal Natural gas / methane Nuclear Shift to renewables and biofuels Qualicum beach: Transportation Heating buildings DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Support renewable energy Pursue energy efficiency Pursue clean local energy sources
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to respond to the energy shift challenge? Notebook
Trend 3) Resources and waste shift Resource depletion Waste and pollution Qualicum Beach: Resource supplies Waste destinations? DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Recycling Composting Hazardous waste Business product stewardship
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to respond to the challenge of waste? Notebook
Trend 4) Water scarcity Increasing pressure on water due to climate change and population growth Quantity and quality Qualicum Beach: Good supply Future climate Long term monitoring DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Water efficiency Water recycling Groundwater management / aquifer protection Monitoring
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to respond to the challenge of water in the next century? Notebook
Trend 5) Ecosystem Impacts Ecosystem stress and collapse Biodiversity issues Millenium ecosystem report Qualicum Beach Development pressure Pesticides Climate DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Protect appropriate areas Ecologically enhancement design Local stewardship and monitoring
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to enhance the health of its ecosystems? Notebook
Trend 6) Food supply shift Oil = food (peak oil) Clear Till Plant Water Fertilizer Pesticides Harvest Process and package Store Transport Qualicum Beach: Loss of productive farm land Health Local gardens and markets DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Local food supply Local food processing and economy
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to respond to the coming shift in food supply and to enhance local food economy? Notebook
Trend 7) Community health challenges Aging population Urbanization s challenges Poverty Physical and Mental Health Crime and Personal Safety Each community is unique Qualicum Beach Aging population Local health care DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Social relationships Needs monitoring Facilities and programs Volunteer health Others
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to best respond to its current and future social needs? Notebook
Trend 8) Economic Instability Overly dependent on a global economy Fossil fuel dependence 1 st World / 3 rd World Inequity Consumerism and debt Fiscal health and infrastructure deficits Modern corporations actions Qualicum Beach Pension economy Local supply in regional context Tourism changes DESTINATION JOURNEY
Strategic approach Local economic multiplier enhancement (buy local) Diverse economy
Strategic question What can Qualicum Beach do to have a sustainable, resilient local economy in this next century? Notebook
21 st Century Thinking Very different from 20 th century Prosperity depends on new approaches Sustainability is not an ideology DESTINATION JOURNEY
Goals and Targets Aim: To perform as well as we can on all accounts To perform at a sustainable level Air Quality Energy Efficiency Waste reduction Water conservation Equity Community health Fiscal Health Economic prosperity DESTINATION JOURNEY
Qualicum Beach s Strong Foundation
Sustainability Matrix for Communities Sustainability Goals Climate Change / Air Quality Energy supply Resource efficiency Water quantity/quality Ecosystem integrity Healthy food and agriculture Social and Community Health Economic prosperity Community Levers Land use Transportation Buildings Open Space Infrastructure Food systems Social Facilities, Programs and Process Economic Strategy Management & Governance
The Sustainability Matrix Levers Goals Reduce Energy & Emissions Water, Stormwater and Liquid Waste Reduce Resources and Solid Waste Maintain Ecosystem integrity Improve Individual & Community Health/Well being Increase Economic Vitality, Stability and Opportunity Land Use, Density and Layout Transportation Building Design Open Space & Landscape Design Infrastructure Procurement/ Food system Community facilities, programs Economic Development Strategy Address issues & identify relevant practices in each cell
8 Pillars of a Sustainable Community 1. A compact, complete community 2. Low impact transportation 3. Green buildings Smart Growth 4. Multi-dimensional landscape 5. Innovative utility infrastructure 6. Healthy, Local Food Systems 7. Facilities / Programs / Process for social health 8. Sustainable economic systems
Pillar 1 - A Compact & Complete Community Neighbourhood mixed land uses Housing diversity Commercial diversity High quality urban design Fine grained layout
Strategic question What refinements could Qualicum Beach make regarding land use patterns to be more sustainable? Notebook
Pillar 2 - Low impact transportation Pedestrian and bicycle focus Transit Supportive Development (~400m walkable TOD) Multi-tasked streets Electric vehicle infrastructure Parking reductions Shared cars Ecological parking surfaces
Strategic question What refinements could Qualicum Beach make regarding its transportation system to be more sustainable? Notebook
Pillar 3) Green Buildings Rating systems Guidelines and bylaws Flagship green buildings Energy efficiency Water efficiency Local and natural materials Good indoor air quality Others
Strategic question What could Qualicum Beach do to encourage more green buildings? Notebook
Pillar 4) - Multi-tasked open space Ecosystem areas preserved and enhanced Recreation richness Great urban design and accessibility Urban agriculture
Strategic question What refinements could Qualicum Beach pursue around parks and open space to be even more sustainable? Notebook
Pillar 5) Green Infrastructure Systems Energy strategy Water and wastewater management strategy Stormwater management strategy Solid waste management strategy
Strategic question What could Qualicum Beach do to make its energy, water and waste management infrastructure even more sustainable? Notebook
Pillar 6) Healthy Food System Food stores & restaurants Farmers markets Community & restaurant gardens Support organic Buy local Community food strategy Food oriented developments
Strategic question How could Qualicum Beach best promote sustainability in its local food system? Notebook
Pillar 7) Facilities & Programs Contributing to whatever your community needs to be great! Integrated Community Services Social interaction Health Safety and Security Arts, Culture and Heritage Diversity Community Engagement Spirituality and Religion International Involvement
Strategic question What could Qualicum Beach pursue to have an even healthier community? Notebook
Pillar 8) Economic Opportunity Business / jobs diversity & balance Green business practices Local focus / multiplier Env / Econ / Social capital
Strategic question What could Qualicum Beach do to make its current businesses both greener and more successful? Notebook
State of the practice Sustainability strategies ~ many Whistler, Comox Valley, Esquimalt, Dawson Creek, North Vancouver, Surrey, Sooke, Ladysmith, many others ~ Williams Lake Sustainable development checklists Many different types Many topic-specific initiatives Climate, energy, water, waste, social issues, etc Local government utilities CNV, COV, Whistler, New West, others DESTINATION JOURNEY
State of the practice US Conference of Mayors ~ 800+ Climate, Architecture 2030 American leaders Seattle, Chicago, New York, Albqqe, Santa Monica, Minneapolis, Denver, Boulder, San Francisco, etc European Union Bldgs create own energy by 2018 LEED Civic bldgs - many Carbon neutral govt and GHG plans All of BC Model neighborhood projects - many Sustainability staff / offices -growing DESTINATION JOURNEY
A Made in Qualicum Approach You re in charge it has to be useful for you Common sense, pragmatic Small town solutions Build on existing leadership
Strategic Vision Question Describe some key aspects of Qualicum Beach as a town wellpositioned and prepared to prosper in the 21 st century. Notebook
Thoughts The 21st century It is our watch Plans set long term directions Strategy = prosperity DESTINATION JOURNEY
Next Steps Sustainability planning process Official Community Plan update
Questions and Discussion
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