*Greater Vancouver 1s the | fourth fastest growing metropolitan area in Canada f and the U.S. ° Every year, the region grows § by 40,000 new residents. That's enough to populate a city the size of New West- | miasier every year. e Within 15 years, the GVRD | will run out of land planned | for single-family homes. *We’re becoming more { dependent on cars as the } region grows. Creating Our Future. Consultations June 1991 through June 1993 ® Major Centres Policy Workshop June 25, 1991 - 50 purticipants ® Greater Vancouver Social Futures Conference - September 28, 1991 - 180 participants @ Greater Vancouver Agriculture Conference - November 2, 1991 - 180 participants @ Creating Greater Vancouver's ' Green Zone Conference - November 30, 1991 - 300 purtici- pants ® Major Parks Plain Sector Work- shops - March 10 through April 2, 1992 - 220 participants @ Shaping Our Communities: The Challenges of Regional Growth und Transportation - May 23, 1992 - 350 participants @ Let's Clear the Air: Clean Air Day Public Forum - June 3, 1992 - 235 participants. © Public Conference on Regional Government - June 20, 1992 - 330 participants © Agriculture Workshop — June 26, 1992 - 50 participants ® Lev's Clear the Air: Air Quality Advisory Committee Public Meet- ing - October 22-23, 1992 - 80 participants , © Public Forum on Regional Bicycle Issues - October 28, 1992 - 300 participants @Shaping Our Communities: Critical Choices Conference — November 28, 1992 - 450 pirtici- ~ pants @ Council of Councils Ga meeting of all elected: municipal cepresenta- “tives in the region) ~ December 12, 1992 - 132 participants @ Councils of Councils -— March 27, 1993 - 82 participants eCreating Our Future: Choices Consultation - May Gritical 1993 @ Council of Councils - June U2. 1993 - 76 participants aun Rey TRENT £3) Wednesday, November 3, 1993 - North Shore News - 29 Peet Py ae cae Greater Vancouver ional istrict Creating Our Future: Steps To A More Livable Region Growth Management t & Greater Vancouver residents want cleaner air and water, protected open space and a better transportation system Greater Vancouver residents have defined the future they want. During a three-year pub- lic consultation process, residents said they want a region that maintains and cnhances the quality of life - where air and water are clean and fresh, where people can enjoy green spaces and parks, choose from a range of affordable housing and use services so close to home they can choose to walk, cycle or use public transit instead of their cars. The GVRD responded. Creating Our Future: Steps to a More Livable Region, dopted by the GVRD Board in 1990 and updated in 1993, lays out 36 steps to a more livable region. Creating Our Future states: “Greater Vancouver can become the first urban region in the world to combine in one place the things to which humanity aspires on a global basis: a place where human activities enhance rather than degrade the natural environment, where the quality of the built environment approaches that of the natural setting, where the diversity of origins and reli- gions is a source of social strength rather than strife, where people control the des- tiny of their community, and where the basics of food, clothing, shelter, security and useful activity are accessible to all.” The proposals highlighted here provide the basis for achieving the Creating Our Future vision in two key areas: how we use our limit-" ed lund base and how we provide transporta- tion services, . The Livable Region Strategy: Proposals docu- ment was developed by the GVRD after a three-year consultation process. It proposes a preliminary regional Iand use and transporta- tion plan for the region that includes proposals on Green Zone protection, growth manige- ment and transportation development. There is a broad range of opinion on these proposals and vigorous public discussion will help the GVRD Board reach its decision about how to preserve the region's livability. The Long and Medium Range Trans- portation plans prepared by TRANSPORT 2021, a nine-member committee of municipal and provincial senior staff, provice proposals for the transportation component of the prelimi- nary Livable Region Strategy. This is the first time in the history of the Lower Mainland that regional land use and transportation are being planned together by regional and provincial authorities. What can be done? The GVRD Board has sought public views about Greater Vancouver's future at critical steps in the process during the past three years. The shared vision expressed in the proposals highlighted here reflects the results. The Board has sent the proposal documents for comment to municipalities, and to a range of community associations, fhe provincial gov- ernment and other organizations. The Board would like to receive public comments by March 31, 1994, The Board is also seeking comment on a Tough choices about growth quality of life and environment, continued growth can provide significant benefits to Greater Vancouver. The region's present rela- tive prosperity compared to other parts of North America is evidence of this. The only way to moderate population growth is to discourage people from moving’ here. This would require a deliberate attempt to reduce the region's economic attractiveness and quality of life and/or costly government programs to enhance the attractiveness of oth- er places. Neither of these approaches has been successful elsewhere. People, and governments, have to talk to zach other to manage growth effectively. To avoid running out of land, or clean air, or funds for public services we have to work together to develop strategies that will keep Greater Vancouver livable. Maintaining Greater Vancouver's livability in the face of these pressures is one of our greatest challenges. Our success or failure will influence every aspect of our daily lives in the coming decades. Throughout the Creating Our Future public process people asked whether there was an alternative to continued rapid growth. Growth that could see the Greater Vancouver popula- tion doubling to three million by 2021. Where does this growth come from? Studies show about one-third of the region's growth comes from people who already live here — young families naturally increase the population. One-third comes as Canadians move here from other provinces and territories. One-third comes from immigration to Canada from other countries. Growth brings more traffic, more garbage, more sewage, less green space and greater demand on all services. But growth also brings increased job opportunities, economic devel- opment and the chance to improve living stan- dards. Managed properly, growth can enhance our region's livability. Ignored or managed poorly, it can destroy our quality of life. Research has shown that livability is threat- ened not so much by the amount of growth as by how growth is managed. If combined with a concerted effort to protect our outstanding LO RATS Ned TD AREY nm on tae Saheave Seti SSPE CELE AE fourth proposal which outlines new procedures to be used to establish a regional strategic plan. It ensures that any regional plan would be developed by consensus and implemented through partnerships with member municipali- ties and other agencies, Now is the time to review these proposals. Will they enable us to meet our goals as individ- uals and as a metropolitan community? How can each municipality contribute and what will sach gain? What is required from the provincial government? Do the proposals provide firm grounding for partnerships to maintain Greater Vancouver's livability into the 21st century? The GVRD Board has asked municipal councils to participate and will work to help them and their citizens to review and respond to the proposals. We encourage you to discuss the issues with your neighbors, friends and fam- ily, and fill out the response form on page 4. Most importantly, get involved and help your municipality to respond to the proposals.