An effective regional growth strategy guides growth in a way that minimizes emissions through efficient use of land and water resources, infrastructure and transportation systems.  In addition, maintaining greenspace serves to maximize CO₂ sequestration alongside providing other environmental, social and economic benefits.

While unplanned regional growth can set a permanent pattern of land development and emissions performance that can be difficult to change, a well-developed RGS and well-planned growth can bring benefits such as:

• More cost-effective infrastructure servicing;
• Reduced transportation problems;
• Better air quality and reduced emissions;
• Protected green space and local agricultural capacity;
• More secure watersheds and aquifers;
• Greater success for businesses in communities due to increased density of customers and workers;
• A greater diversity of housing;
• Healthier residents due to increases in walking and cycling opportunities;
• A more coordinated approach to development and decision-making;
• Better managed public and development industry expectations; and
• Others.

Land Use Opportunity

The RGS needs to guide land use across a region to:

• Protect an interlinked web of sensitive natural areas, agricultural lands and key resource lands, including forested areas that can play a role in CO₂ sequestration;
• Shape growth and economic development areas in compact and linear forms that can be efficiently serviced with roads, infrastructure and transit where possible; and
• Set a direction for “complete community land use patterns” that create the highest density and diversity of land uses possible in each community.

Regional stakeholders collaboration

By definition, a regional plan for growth will require a wide range of policy agreements among affected local governments and First Nations if it is be effective.  Growth is one of the most contentious aspects of regional federations where government attempts to shape the impacts of market forces for development. Establishing clear understanding of the issues, clear rationale for planned growth patterns, and ways of sharing costs and benefits amongst local jurisdictions is required if a regional growth plan is to hold.

Zoning is key

A regional growth strategy has value in its ability to achieve agreement on growth directions.  However, it is critically important that zoning be brought into alignment with the RGS as it is zoning that establishes development entitlements.  Growth will occur according to zoning regardless of the presence of an RGS.

Rural residential areas

One of the most challenging regional planning issues is rural residential development which can cause significant sprawl; uncoordinated land development; inadequate tax base for required services; and potential water quality issues due to septic system failures.  Growth strategies can help to ensure that development takes place where adequate facilities exist or can be provided in a timely, economic and efficient manner.  Some regional districts are downzoning rural areas and establishing large rural parcel minimums to keep new development closer to existing developed and municipal areas (e.g. Regional District of Nanaimo, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District). This process is contentious but effective.

Transportation Opportunity

Transportation systems are by nature “regional” because shoppers, workers, businesses and visitors move throughout a region freely.  An effective RGS can support the development of effective road infrastructure and transit systems, as well as pedestrian and cycling route networks to reduce emissions associated with travel. Keep in mind, however, that walk mode shares can rise to 20 percent or more in mixed-use neighbourhoods even without high-quality transit service [1].

Getting to and from work

Shifting people onto transit for their commuting trips (to work and school) is key to reducing emissions.  In order to achieve that shift, major centres of employment and residential development need to be located in areas with high transit potential.  Focusing growth to create the greatest chance of residents living and working within ½ km of an efficient transit line will make an important contribution to reducing regional emissions.

Regional settlement patterns that support efficient transportation and transit systems include:

• One or more job centres that include large scale office uses, key institutions, schools, universities and other job / people-intensive areas;
• Residential development around (and mixed in with) the job centres;
• Linear mixed-use corridors - where development is channelled so that all residents, jobs and schools are within walking distance (400m or 10 minute walk ) of a transit line - for connecting existing and new development centres;
• Cycling routes that link residential areas with services, recreation and employment opportunities (across local government jurisdiction areas);
• Increased commuting uses of existing rail corridors; and
• A dedicated truck route network to manage truck traffic to commercial areas.

Building and Infrastructure Opportunities

 
How growth is managed will have significant implications for infrastructure demands, including:

• Water demand across the region;
• Impacts to water supply (watersheds, aquifers) as a result of land development;
• Water and wastewater infrastructure requirements, including;

• the significant, and on-going, cost of replacing septic systems with community sewer for areas of growth; and
• the desire to optimize use and return of public investment for water and wastewater infrastructure

• Possible establishment of renewable energy systems (e.g., district heating systems, solar-ready developments);
• Possible opportunities for integrated resource recovery (i.e., turning waste into resources, such as heat recovery, etc.)

Centralized versus decentralized service delivery

Growth strategies should provide the framework to determine where development should be allowed and how that development should be implemented.  In many cases, development is dependent on the ability to deliver services such as drinking water and wastewater management.  Infrastructure service delivery should  always be based on sustainability principles, including concepts such as full life-cycle costing, impact to the environment and natural resource depletion.  The technology for decentralized systems (water, sewer, energy) is progressing rapidly and, as such, the potential role of both centralized and de-centralized systems should be discussed as part of the regional planning process.  Regardless of the technologies utilized (centralized or decentralized), management of the infrastructure must include sound planning, effective capital infrastructure decisions and long-term operation and maintenance to ensure that infrastructure servicing decisions meet long term needs.

Green buildings

Regional planning typically does not address the site level.  However, it is important from an emissions point of view to consider how green buildings can be supported by an RGS.  Green buildings not only reduce demand on public infrastructure, but they may be more affordable for owners and tenants to maintain.  Green buildings can reduce demand for water and energy by 30% -- a savings that can significantly reduce projected infrastructure needs. A regional green building policy can be created to set performance targets for future developments.  

Local Government Operations Opportunity

A well-planned region will minimize local government costs and emissions. Sprawl results in inefficient physical and operating infrastructure. Pumping water and treating wastewater from low density areas, providing and maintaining extended service lines, road infrastructure and emergency response, as well as managing impacts from increased impervious area increase costs and emissions.

Complementary Policies

Official community plans

Official community plans need to complement regional growth strategies.  Official Community Plans (OCPs) are an important means of implementing a regional growth strategy.  Where OCPs deviate from the RGS, they can undermine the overall effectiveness and, ultimately, the credibility of an RGS. All OCPs within the boundaries of a growth strategy are required to include a regional context statement that establishes the relationship between the RGS and the OCP and how they will be compatible over time.  An effective consultation process is required to ensure all local government staff and elected officials support regional growth strategy implications to their OCPs.

Zoning

Zoning is possibly the most important and effective tool in growth management as it defines land development entitlements.  It is critical that zoning is brought into alignment with regional growth plans.

Incentives

• If development is located in key areas that support regional and community plans, then:
• Property tax exemptions can be offered
• Development cost charges can be waived or reduced
• Transportation plans
• Transportation plans need to be aligned with regional growth strategies to ensure that investment is made which supports desired development patterns and modes of transportation.
• Capital investment in transportation infrastructure needs to be aligned with regional growth strategies, especially those addressing transit supply.

Infrastructure plans and investment

Water and wastewater plans need to be structured to support a regional growth strategy, with respect to location and upgrading of infrastructure.