ancouver & Regional istrict Creating Our Future: Steps To A More Livable Region A LIVABLE REGION DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN BY ITSELF. WE MAKE IT HAPPEN. THE LIVABLE REGION STRATEGIC PLAN, THE AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND THE GVRD'S OTHER MANAGEMENT PLANS, CONTAIN THE STEPS THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO PRESERVE GREATER VANCOUVER'S LIVABILITY. A LIVABLE REGION WILL: Keep the air clean The Air. Quality Management Plan shows us many ways to reduce air pollution. These range from cleaner cars and industry, to lower emissions from household products. Rapid population, economic and transportation growth is increasing harmful air emis- sions. The goal of the Air Quality Management Plan* is to reduce these emissions and ensure clean air in our region. Care for its green spaces The natural features of our region are the envy of the world. The Fraser River estuary and its streams are prime salmon habitat. Our wetlands are the resting place for hun- dreds of thousands of migrating birds. We have some of the richest farmland in Canada, Preserving the livability of our region means protecting these green spaces through our management plans*, not just for recreation, but for farming, wildlife and water quality. To do this, the GVRD and our local governments have earmarked certain areas for a “Green Zone”. The Green Zone, shown on the map, will be spared from urban development. | Make the best use of available land Urban sprawl threatens valuable agricultural land and other green spaces. To keep our region livable, we have to make better use of our urban land. Smaller lots help save mix of housing land. Duplexes and townhouses do the same. Both are exainples of medium density. Medium density is more affordable for many families. 1t also costs less to service with water, sewers, garbage removal*, transit and electricity than urban sprawl. A better types means that people with different housing needs — singles, families, and seniors - can live in the same community. . Provide homes close to services and jobs Many of us live in suburbs that are far from work. If we just let growth take its current course, we will have many more people living in the Fraser Valley and driving long distances. This is a waste of time, energy and valuable land. And, because 75 per cent of air pollution comes from vehicles, the air we breathe will get worse, We need to concentrate growth in the areas that are already built up ~ the “Growth Concentration Area” shown on the map. We also need to create more com- plete communities with a better mix of homes, jobs, businesses and community services. That way we would have more opportunities for daily activities close to home, and be able to walk or cycle rather than use a car. Provide economic growth and affordable services To keep our region livable, we have to keep it affordable. We can avoid higher costs for public services like water, sewers, transportation and com- munity services by avoiding sprawling development. We need to concen- trate development where. we can provide these services affordably. We also need to create attractive economic opportunities in those areas to provide jobs near where we live. This means providing good transportation routes and other ser- ‘ vices to downtown Vancouver, industrial areas and our major regional centres. Provide alternatives to taking the car One of the toughest habits to break will be our dependence on cars. To ‘ make it easier to kick the habit, the Livable Region Strategic Plan and Transport 2021 Plans support other options for getting around. A livable region will give priori- ty to walking and cycling over private cars. There will also be more transit options. The map on this page shows extensions to the rapid transit lines, priority lanes for buses and car and vanpoolers, and regional roads for moving goods. * GVRD MANAGEMENT PLANS PAAINTAIN QUALITY OF LIFE © Ale Quality Management Ptan © Major Parks Plan : © Crinking Water Quality Improvement Pian. © Liquid Waste Management Plan © Solid Waste Management Plan