Calgary and Vancouver release Resilience Strategies
June 25, 2019
By
CCE
Both cities are members of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, and they have launched independent resilience strategies.
The cities of Vancouver and Calgary, both members of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, have launched independent resilience strategies.
On the West Coast, Resilient Vancouver is a multi-year strategy that includes a set of 12 strategic objectives and 40 actions that represent tangible steps Vancouver can take to address gaps in its knowledge, and promote different ways of thinking and working with community, to reduce risk and foster positive outcomes . It focuses on three priority areas:
- Thriving and prepared neighbourhoods
- Proactive and collaborative city government
- Safe, adaptive buildings and infrastructure
“From earthquakes to social inequity, Vancouver faces intersecting challenges that impact the resilience of our residents, neighbourhoods, businesses and urban systems,” says Katie McPherson, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Vancouver. “Vancouver is not alone – By learning from the experiences of our community and collaborating with local and global partners, we have the collective capacity to prepare, adapt and thrive in the face of these challenges.”
In addition to launching the strategy, the City has also created a Resilient Neighbourhoods Toolkit. It includes a series of tools and resources to support neighbourhood planning and action for future challenges or crises.
Vancouver is also collaborating with other cities in Canada who are focusing on resilience—Toronto, Calgary and Montreal—finding solutions to common issues, advocating for senior government support for solutions and sharing our knowledge with other cities across the country.
Calgary City Council recently approved the Resilient Calgary strategy that provides a vision to making Calgary a more resilient city for future generations.
“The Resilient Calgary strategy harnesses and celebrates the Calgarian spirit and the unparalled can-do attitude that we have witnessed time and again,” said Brad Stevens, Deputy City Manager and Chief Resilience Officer.
Since the 2013 flood, Calgarians have faced many challenges. The work reflected in the Resilient Calgary strategy is designed to ensure that Calgary can withstand the future stresses and shocks that the community will face.
This Resilient Calgary strategy includes one shared theme, four pillars, 13 outcomes, 29 actions and 39 success measures.
The shared theme and Pillars are:
- Shared Theme – A Future-Focused Calgary: All pillars use a future focused lens when advancing resilience outcomes and actions.
- Pillar 1 – The Future of Calgary’s Economy: All community members are encouraged and able to participate in a diverse and strong economy.
- Pillar 2 – Inclusive Futures: Institutions have trusted and informed relationships with Calgary’s equity-seeking communities.
- Pillar 3 – The Future of Calgary’s Natural Infrastructure: Natural Infrastructure assets are identified, protected, tracked, managed and used to inform investment and planning decisions.
- Pillar 4 – Future Ready Infrastructure: Calgarians are supported through strategic investment in future focused and resilient infrastructure.
The essence of being a resilient city is creating collaborative communities that work together. Continued resilience work will require listening, learning and working together hand-in-hand.
