Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
In 2019, Vancouver City Council adopted the Rain City Strategy, committing to capture and clean 90% of rainfall that falls within the City, and in doing so, transforming urban watersheds for present and future generations. At the same time, Vancouver is continuing to densify. With increasing density, there is a growing demand for space in the road right-of-way –rainwater management, more and larger servicing utilities, vehicles, transit, bikeways, and wider sidewalks are all competing for spaces. Blue-Green Systems (BGS) are an emerging green infrastructure typology that help the City to meet multiple objectives in the same space. The City and the Park Board are taking steps to actively implement BGSs in the urban area. Showcase projects are bring piloted, such as St. George Rainway, Richard Street BGS and Sunset Park BGS. These pilots are intended to provide benefits on drainage system performance, water quality treatment, combined sewer overflow, climate resilience, biodiversity and equity outcomes, and enhance walking, cycling and recreation opportunities. This presentation will showcase the BGS planning and implementation in Vancouver, explaining the planning process and methodology followed, discussing how the BGSs are optimized to maximize co-benefits, and introducing some of the key trade-offs, such as reduced parking and vehicle access.
Session Title
Setting the Table for Collaboration, Communication, & Planning Together
Conference Track
SSE7: Ethics, Environmental Justice, & the Future
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-350
Start Date
27-4-2022 9:45 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 11:15 AM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Planning, Engagement and Construction of Blue-Green Systems: Creating Connected and multi-beneficial solutions for the Road Right-of-Way in Vancouver
In 2019, Vancouver City Council adopted the Rain City Strategy, committing to capture and clean 90% of rainfall that falls within the City, and in doing so, transforming urban watersheds for present and future generations. At the same time, Vancouver is continuing to densify. With increasing density, there is a growing demand for space in the road right-of-way –rainwater management, more and larger servicing utilities, vehicles, transit, bikeways, and wider sidewalks are all competing for spaces. Blue-Green Systems (BGS) are an emerging green infrastructure typology that help the City to meet multiple objectives in the same space. The City and the Park Board are taking steps to actively implement BGSs in the urban area. Showcase projects are bring piloted, such as St. George Rainway, Richard Street BGS and Sunset Park BGS. These pilots are intended to provide benefits on drainage system performance, water quality treatment, combined sewer overflow, climate resilience, biodiversity and equity outcomes, and enhance walking, cycling and recreation opportunities. This presentation will showcase the BGS planning and implementation in Vancouver, explaining the planning process and methodology followed, discussing how the BGSs are optimized to maximize co-benefits, and introducing some of the key trade-offs, such as reduced parking and vehicle access.
