Planning Pool

What are the challenges facing planners and policy makers in addressing issues related to food security and public health? How can we contribute to effective actions that address these challenges? Join  representatives from the City of Vancouver, City of Surrey, UBC Farm, and BC Healthy Communities at the upcoming PlanTalk for discussion on these issues this Monday.

When: Monday, April 27, 2009.
Appetizers and networking from 6:30-7:00 PM, to be followed by presentations and discussion from 7:00-9:00 PM.

Location:     Room 1600, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC

Who: Featuring the following speakers:
• Samara Brock, Social Planner, Food Policy Staff Team member, City of Vancouver
• Mark Bomford, Program Coordinator Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
• Mark Allison, Senior Policy Planner, City of Surrey
• Deirdre Goudriaan, Fraser Region Facilitator, BC Healthy Communities
• Paris Marshall-Smith, MA candidate, SCARP (moderator)

Cost:
$20 PIBC Members*
$25 Non-PIBC … Continue Reading

With the recent release by Metro Vancouver (GVRD) of the draft 2040 Regional Growth Strategy, some are noticing conspicuous similarities to the policy tools of another northwestern metropolis.  In the South Fraser Blog, Nathan Pachal appropriately identifies the resemblance of the GVRD’s reshaped initiatives to those of Portland Metro (Portland). 

Portland has long been lauded (and, in some circles, jeered) for its strong measures to combat sprawl and manage growth.  I posted a video last month from the Big Look Task Force last that gives a good background on Oregon’s strong land-use regulations.  In Portland’s case, the regional government has control over the well-documented Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).  In his post, Pachal correctly states that the Green Zone of the Livable … Continue Reading

I’m enjoying delicious coffee and beer in Portland for the week, so I’ve got some Oregon things to share.

• What is the role of zoning in issues of free speech?  This Portland Mercury article details a push in Oregon to create new zoning regulations for stores selling “adult materials”.  State law currently makes no distinction between sexually oriented businesses and those exercising free speech to express less libidinous views (like religious bookstores).
• Portland is often lauded for the success of its urban growth boundary, but elsewhere in the state, local governments are less than thrilled.  This is largely because regional land use is strictly limited by the Oregon legislature in all regions aside from Portland’s Metro, which has special status.  Though recognizing the success of the state’s regulations in preventing sprawl, the bi-partisan Big Look … Continue Reading