Smart Growth on the Ground: Maple Ridge

As a result of rapid population growth, the District of Maple Ridge and Smart Growth British Colombia (SGBC) have formed a partnership called Smart Growth on the Ground (SGOG) to achieve workable solutions for sustainable growth management that have direct impact on the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings and transportation. The starting point is a sustainable neighbourhood development plan (SNDP) for the Town Centre based on principles of integrated sustainable development. SGBC will oversee the planning project. Its Project Advisory Committee will include staff and Council members from the District of Maple Ridge, members from SGBC, local residents, developers, landowners and downtown businesses. The District will engage in the planning process, explore the application of eight SGOG guiding principles, and prepare and modify municipal bylaws, amendments, policies and reports necessary to implement the SNDP. The project includes four consultation workshops, an integrated design charrette for the City Centre, the completion of a Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan and post-project evaluation. It is estimated that the project could save 28,665 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year over conventional development if it were 35 per cent more energy efficient. In addition, overall resource consumption would decrease.