The BC sprawl report 2001: Helping to create more livable communities in British Columbia

Abstract

How predominant and how "bad" is sprawl in the province? Where are tendencies towards more compact growth being encouraged and how? Which ideas for addressing sprawl have the most promise for transfer across municipalities in British Columbia? This report is addressed to community organizations and local government as well as public officials, developers, planners, architects, consultants and others. It is not intended as a comprehensive scientific analysis of development patterns in BC, but it is hoped that it can provide a snapshot of the current situation with some useful and instructive vignettes of the possible futures from which we can choose.

Smart Growth BC examined growth patterns in twenty-six municipalities belonging to three regional districts - the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), and the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) - using twelve smart growth indicators.

Six municipalities (two from each regional district) were then examined in more detail. It was evident that all six case studies feature quite different characteristics and challenges. However, there are a few common points that emerge from a consideration of all of them and, as a result, recommendations can be made.