E-Bulletin - February 2006
Conference 2006 "Innovations in Smart Growth Housing"
On May 5th 2006, Smart Growth BC will be hosting our annual conference highlighting the latest strategies and technologies for "Innovations in Smart Growth Housing".
 Our keynote speaker, Claire Bennie, Research Manager for Peabody Trust, will discuss the award-winning BedZed brownfield redevelopment project in the UK. The morning keynote speaker will be followed by presentations on "A Housing Forecast for BC" by Helmut Pastrick of the Central Credit Union of BC and "Turning NIMBY into YIMBY" by Matt MacNeil of Housing Strategies Inc., Calgary.
In addition to this exciting morning session, the day will include a gala luncheon event to present our first annual Smart Growth Awards. The afternoon technical sessions will focus on topics such as "Retrofitting Neighbourhoods", "Green Buildings for Housing", and "Demographics & Affordability".
PIBC and AIBC members will be eligible to receive Learning Unit (LU) credits for attending this event!
Register on-line now to take advantage of our EARLY BIRD RATES, or call 604 915 5234.
Smart Growth BC Awards Call for Nominations
Smart Growth BC is proud to launch the first annual Smart Growth Awards program. The awards will recognize innovation in smart growth around British Columbia. This is your community's opportunity to have your local initiatives honoured! Has your community developed a great smart growth plan, or undertaken an effective public consultation process? Is there an innovative smart growth proposal or project in your community? How about a policy that enables smart growth development? Any smart growth leaders, citizen's groups, or educators worthy of recognition? Smart Growth BC is currently soliciting nominations for these four categories: Project; Policy; Proposal or Process; and People. Nominations are due by March 24th!
Click here to download a nomination form (.pdf)
For more information visit our awards website
Smart Growth on the Ground: Oliver Update
Smart Growth on the Ground is well underway in the Oliver area! In early December, 130 participants attended a Learning Forum. Attendees heard 11 speakers, who discussed cutting-edge research and solutions around local growth issues. In January, several small group workshops were held, and many participants were so keen that they attended more than one session. Upcoming events will include a second round of workshops, and an innovative "community character and special places" workshop, in which Oliver residents will use maps and other tools to visually define the sense of place in their region.
Find out more at the Smart Growth on the Ground website
Community Assistance Program Update
Tom Lancaster, our CAP coordinator, has recently given presentations in Port Moody, Prince Rupert, Mission, Kaslo, and New Denver. Next up are Merritt, Kimberley, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Also, CAP will be co-hosting a series of workshops in Tsawwassen in the upcoming months.
Other SGBC News...
In other news, Smart Growth BC continues to be a member of the Livable Region Coalition as as such are working on a formal response to the proposed Gateway project for the Lower Mainland.
We are also proud to announce that we will be releasing the "Promoting Health Through Smart Growth" research report, authored by Larry Frank and Todd Litman, at a networking breakfast in Vancouver on Wednesday March 29th, 2006. Once released it will be available on our website for downloading.
Smart Growth BC is a provincial non-governmental organization devoted to fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible land use and development. Working with community groups, businesses, municipalities and the public, we support the creation of more livable communities in British Columbia. |