Municipality of Rivière-du-Loup – Sustainable Development Plan using The Natural Step Framework

The City of Rivière-du-Loup, a winner of numerous awards and honours, developed a sustainable development plan using The Natural Step (TNS) framework, a five-step approach based on the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s Guide for Municipal Sustainability Planning. Using the TNS framework, the municipality created a development plan to promote economic and social progress that was both equitable and sustainable. This meant it would not compromise quality of life in the community and that it would address the challenges of population growth and rampant entrepreneurship. To achieve its goal, Rivière-du-Loup used an integrated approach — simultaneously undertaking a strategic planning exercise, revising its zoning bylaws, validating all municipal policies, and confirming that its objectives complied with Quebec’s Loi sur le développement durable. In addition, the plan took into account the city’s priorities, which included sustainable transportation; public engagement; security; sustainable housing; water, soil and air quality; responsible energy consumption; waste management; the preservation of built heritage; and visual and noise pollution. The city also organized a public consultation based on “backcasting,” which is a key component in the TNS approach. The Rivière-du-Loup experience was expected to be useful to other municipalities facing similar challenges, especially those of a comparable size, francophone, located on the outskirts of large urban centres, or wishing to use the TNS framework.

(Project description from original funding application)