emailRegional Sustainability
Regional Growth Strategy 5 Year Review
Transitioning to the Regional Sustainability Strategy (RSS)
The regional growth strategy (RGS) is a strategic planning document coordinated through the regional district that addresses issues which are regional in nature such as transportation, population growth and settlement patterns. The RGS promotes the long term livability of the region and seeks to optimize social, economic and environmental performance.
The growth strategy is initiated, managed and ultimately adopted by the regional district. It is also implemented by the regional district in partnership with its member municipalities. The provincial government, another partner in the process, provides the provincial perspective through the intergovernmental advisory committee (IAC) on regional issues during the strategy development and review.
The CRD RGS was adopted in 2003. It is now being updated as part of the 5-year review process and will be revised as the region's sustainability strategy. Information, opportunities for input and involvement in the process will be identified on this site.
What's New
The RGS 5 year review's Preliminary Phase is underway. The majority of the background reporting and technical analysis will be completed during this time.
The following projects will be completed in the Preliminary Phase:
- MetroQuest's scenario building tools will facilitate an upcoming dialogue on key regional issues through workshops and an interactive website.
- Population, Employment & Dwelling projections (PDF
) (and appendices (PDF )) to 2038 have been completed by Urban Futures (completed) - Visible Strategies technology will be used to make the RGS indicators from the State of the Region report more user friendly (under way)
- Land Use Capacity Model (under way)
- Industrial Land Inventory (complete) (PDF )
- Industrial Land Demand Analysis (awaiting final approval)
- Archaeological Overview Assessment (in final stages of completion)
2003 Regional Growth Strategy
The CRD Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) was adopted by the CRD Board on August 13, 2003. The strategy represents an agreement, developed and approved by the member municipalities in partnership with the regional district and outlines the region's social, economic, and environmental goals and priority actions.
Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw
The RGS includes eight strategic initiatives:
- Keep urban settlement compact
- Protect the integrity of rural communities
- Protect regional green and blue space
- Manage natural resources and the environment sustainability
- Build complete communities
- Improve housing affordability
- Increase transportation choice
- Strengthen the regional economy
In addition to the strategic initiatives, the RGS contains several maps and land use designations. They include:
- RGS Map 1: Regional Growth Strategy Area (PDF )
- RGS Map 2: Georgia Basin / Puget Sound (PDF )
- RGS Map 3: Growth Management Concept Plan (PDF )
- RGS Map 4: Regional Green-Blue Spaces System (PDF )
RGS Amendment Process
The regional growth strategy was subject to an amendment process in 2008. Map 3 in the RGS was amended to alter the regional urban containment and servicing policy area (RUCSPA) boundary to accommodate the Bear Mountain development in the District of Highlands.
- Final Proposal Arbitration (PDF )
- RGS Amendment Process (PDF )
- Report of the Facilitator (PDF )
- RGS Arbitration Board Staff Report (PDF )
- Bylaw 3443 - Capital Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No 1, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No.1, 2007
- Additional Amendment Documents
RGS Implementation
The RGS is primarily implemented through the municipal Official Community Plans and zoning bylaws. The Local Government Act (LGA) section 866 requires municipalities to prepare a regional context statement (RCS) within two years of the adoption of a regional growth strategy. The purpose of the regional context statements is to outline how the municipality's Official Community Plan is consistent with the RGS or how it may be made consistent over time. The intent is to develop a level of consistency between municipalities and the RGS to achieve common visions and shared goals.
Sub-Strategies
Three important sub-strategies support the initiatives of the Regional Growth Strategy:
- TravelChoices Transportation Strategy - Adopted April 13, 2005
- Regional Housing Affordability Strategy - Adopted March 13, 2007
- Economic Development Strategy
