The District of Squamish recently ran a survey of local sentiments about life in the community. The results indicate that most people are unhappy or conflicted about ongoing development. Squamish has been undergoing rapid growth in recent years and is projected to increase in population by 53% by 2046.
This inevitably puts pressure on both the housing market and the natural landscapes that Squamish is famous for. Many mountain bikers are already mourning the likely future loss of downhill trails. Some people are worried about Squamish becoming another suburban version of Vancouver. Others are concerned about overcrowded parks and traffic congestion. For many, this change may immediately provoke a sense of failure: nature versus development.
When I moved to Squamish six years ago, this tension between population growth and keeping Squamish small was tangible.
These days, it seems everyone, from newcomers catching on to these sentiments to longtime residents, has accepted that development is inevitable, but still views it as something bad for this region. Furthermore, with new project approvals going ahead against some locals’ voices, it’s understandable that some in the community may feel powerless about the shape the town is taking.
But what if we imagined a different scenario?
One where thoughtful development transforms Squamish into a truly one-of-a-kind place that balances community growth with environmental boundaries?
Picture Squamish as the hub of green businesses and clean technology. The foundation is already here. We could build on our environmental values to attract sustainable companies and investments that grow from and give back to our outdoor culture.
Every new building would demonstrate the highest standards of green design. Our tourism industry could become a model for responsible travel, while supporting local conservation and education.
The end result would be a sustainable ecosystem that creates good jobs and builds wealth locally.
None of this, however, happens by accident. It requires intentional community engagement and smart policy choices that align growth with sustainability values. The question isn’t whether Squamish will continue developing, it’s whether the community shapes that development or will be shaped by it.
Success requires creating strong incentives for environmental entrepreneurship, and green economy and infrastructure in Squamish.
In that respect, Squamish could follow the example of Freiburg, a German city on the edge of the Black Forest, which transformed into “Europe’s Solar City” after anti-nuclear protests in the 1970s.
Freiburg’s success came from three key policy tools: feed-in tariffs that guarantee above-market prices for renewable energy producers, mandatory low-energy building standards, and requirements that new buildings accommodate solar systems. Today, the Freiburg region has 2,000 solar enterprises generating 650 million euros per year and employing 12,000 workers. The city is also renowned for its eco-neighbourhoods, alternative transportation, and preservation of the natural environment.
Likewise, Squamish could create an ecosystem that champions green innovation by building on what the region already offers: world-class outdoor recreation, a growing eco-tourism sector, the presence of climate technology leader Carbon Engineering, and its intimate proximity to Howe Sound—Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As the District updates its developer contribution system in 2025, this presents a unique opportunity to add sustainability criteria that future-proof the infrastructure and business ecosystem needed to handle that growth responsibly.
Anna Posacka is an ocean sustainability professional residing in Squamish.
