I spent last night after a long week of academia and travel running on a trail regaining my sense of self.
I cannot help but be consumed with thoughts surrounding Squamish’s rapid, unplanned growth.
It is important to me that I discuss the possible change of what is now greenspace in our official community plan to residential zoning.
I feel that if we continue with our current model of development, where we look at projects in isolation of the economic, natural and social assets that many of us moved here for, we will make Squamish a less livable community.
Extensive research has been published on how access to greenspace can have an effect on both our mental and physical health.
It even has a fancy new name: “forest bathing.”
Communities have struggled to understand how they can best contribute to the Federal Government’s plan to meet the Paris Climate Accord in an age of global uncertainty.
Taking the steps required to recognize the built environment and its contribution to emissions is important.
Keeping community access to greenspace, parks and trails through the recognition and understanding of our natural capital is the other side of the equation.
Understanding and valuing our built environment should not start at our water pipes, but at the geophysical assets of the aquifers that nourish our supply.
How is the health and economy of Squamish affected by policy decisions that do not take into account our communities’ natural assets?
We measure what we build, but not often enough what we build on.
Measuring and adding community value to natural assets in an age where tools of measurement are becoming more affordable and available for cities is a worthwhile investment.
The cost of preserving our greenspace is minimal.
However, the cost of maintaining pavement and park infrastructure is expensive and often damaging.
The value of having permeable surfaces, restored riparian areas and protected wildlife corridors is measurable. Building on a greenspace costs in the long-term maintenance of expensive infrastructure.
Using our current mapping system as well as aerial photos, it is now possible to catalogue our natural asset inventory.
With the growing rise of civic literacy, the amount of land use and economic data that has been made available is significant.
In an age of climate and digital disruption, the accessibility of open data could help smaller municipalities that may have struggled previously with data harvesting.
The challenge to be faced is having analysis systems in place for communities in order to make our data more meaningful.
This also requires translation and better communication.
We have enough buildable land for the foreseeable future without removing greenspace from our seminal community document.
As we adjust our zoning and OCP to deal with the strain of growth, it must be with a thought to future generations.
We must maintain our employment land and our natural assets. Rezoning of greenspace is not a reversible decision.
The choices that are made now will be passed on to future generations.
