Regional Sustainability

Regional Growth Strategy Five 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 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. The Regional Sustainability Strategy (RSS) will use the RGS as a platform, using it as a base and increasing its scope to provide leadership and direction on climate action, social well-being and food security in addition to its current topic areas.

Fall 2011

Policy Briefs

Nine policy papers have been written covering the topics of affordable housing, resource management, climate change, ecological health, transportation, sustainable development, economic sustainability, social well being and food security, each including a range of policy scenarios to set the stage for the new RSS.

Regional Sustainability Strategy Web Portal

The Capital Regional District invites you to join the conversation on the policy briefs and has designed a special Sustainability portal to get your feedback. The feedback you provide through this portal will be incorporated into the future plan for the region. Give us your views on shaping the future of the region between November 2010 and February 2011 to set the direction for growth and development over the next 25 years.

This portal will continue to be used over the course of 2011 as the Region drafts the RSS and seeks further public input. Save it to your favourites and check back regularly.

RGS - RSS Public Engagement Feedback (February - June 2010)

The public forum on February 4th received a tremendous amount of feedback from the public. See what you have to say about the RGS. Read more

The RGS - RSS Foundation Documents

Population, Employment & Dwelling projections(PDF )to 2038
Population, Employment & Dwelling projections Appendices ( Appendix I - Community Profiles, Appendix II - Local Government OCP Policy Review, Appendix III - Major Employers Policy Review)(PDF )
RGS Review Primer(PDF )
RGS Legislation Policy Review(PDF )
Industrial Land Study (Inventory and Demand analysis)(PDF )
2008 RGS State of the Region Report Executive Summary(PDF )
State of the Region Report (PDF )
Archaeological Overview Assessment (in final stages of completion)
TransCAD Regional Transportation Model Recalibration (PDF )

Background Information

2003 Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw

RGS-RSS Overview Presentation

Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw (PDF )

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 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.

Regional Context Statements

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

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.

Regional Planning