Alberta Municipal Affairs' Public Input Toolkit describes public engagement for small, rural municipalities. AMA asked us to update their Toolkit to include details describing digital engagement (online engagement including social media and mobile tools). The updated Toolkit contains statistics, tips, and case studies that explain why, when, and how to use digital engagement to...
HB Lanarc generated a Development Concept for the Aldergrove Community Core, to inform potential revisions to the Aldergrove Community Plan, a component of the Township of Langley's Official Community Plan (OCP). The project involved using innovative and highly graphic approaches to neighbourhood planning, addressing the type and location of housing and commercial buildings per...
Located on the foreshore of Esquimalt Lagoon, this project has complex geotechnical, hydrological, and historic and archaeological factors that contribute to a unique landscape expression. The project incorporates multifamily residential landscapes, parkland, and public open space surrounding the design of nearly one kilometer of salmon stream and associated habitat plantings. ...
The intention of the Visioning Process is to generate a series of community-driven visions for sustainable future uses of the Arbutus Lands, a historic rail corridor running through the west side of Vancouver. The project involved engaging a team of highly respected land use professionals, academics and sustainability experts to oversee the process; facilitating a series of ...
Work closely with planning staff to design and promote public attendance at two workshops to launch an OCP process in a rural area of the Regional District. Prepare all materials and presentations, and then facilitate and report from both events in community hall. Ensure that workshops are inspiring and engaging, appreciative of the best of life in Area A, create clear statemen...
A multi-disciplinary urban design and planning team worked to develop urban design options for the Austin Heights Neighbourhood in southwest Coquitlam. The project included a visioning process, development of land use options and a design charette to explore and assess various design options. The project will also include the development of form-based guidelines to facilitate i...
Development of a pair of documents to guide the community's evolution towards a sustainable future. The first document is a strategy that gives direction to the client in each of 8 areas of municipal activity, making sustainable directions tangible. The second is based on the first, and enables qualitative evaluation of the sustainability of potential projects....
Our firm reviewed Campbell River's Engineering Design Standards and identified changes to increase the 'sustainability' of subdivision and building projects driven by that standard. The second phase of the project incorporated the recommended changes into the Subdivision Bylaw. The work included significant changes to road standards to reduce impervious area and incorporate...
Our firm carried out a comprehensive neighbourhood planning process premised on enhancing sustainability, livability and the overall quality of the public realm. The process involved extensive public and stakeholder consultation that resulted in a detailed neighbourhood plan containing visions and goals, an illustrated concept plan, a detailed land use plan with supporting desi...
Our firm is helping Victoria to develop one of the province's first civic engagement strategies in order to find out how the City can better communicate and connect with its citizens. Through a co-creative process that draws on the team's diverse skills and knowledge, the Strategy aims to:
The Clayburn Creek watershed in Abbotsford, BC, is a large tract of land that receives flow from several tributaries originating in the Sumas Mountains. The watershed lies within the municipal boundary, some of which is developed as residential, agricultural, resource, institutional, and commercial land uses, and some of which remains green field with valuable ecological resour...
Our firm supported 16 ministries to develop their Climate Neutral Action Plans by December 2008, aiming for climate neutrality in all core government operations by 2010. Our firm designed, facilitated, reported from and evaluated two dialogue-based workshops that allowed for sharing of ideas, tools and models and increased provincial capacity for ongoing reductions of GHG emiss...
Building on the outcomes of the Colony Farm Charrette (also completed by our firm), the Colony Regional Farm Sustainability Plan (COLSP) outlines a future where Colony Farm is a physical and virtual place for research, learning, and experimentation with the integration of sustainable food systems, wildlife, recreation and community. The concept of an on-site Academy for Sustain...
The Comox Valley Sustainability Strategy project will create an overarching Sustainability Strategy for four local governments in the Comox Valley (Comox Valley Regional District, Village of Cumberland, Town of Comox, and City of Courtenay). The Sustainability Strategy will be a non-regulatory document whose scope covers many aspects of a community. It will provide a refere...
The Coquitlam Town Centre Area Plan Update used an integrated design and planning process that developed alternatives for the location, type, and density of future development in the Town Centre. It used a highly collaborative process, involving City staff, public and community representatives and other relevant stakeholders along with a multi-disciplinary team of consultants. ...
Dawson Creek has been moving towards a shared community vision for a sustainable future since 2005. Dawson Creek's first Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan, within the larger 'Dawson Creek Sustainability Planning Process', engaged a wide range of community members in a design charrette and creation of a neighbourhood plan for the development of 240-acres at the north end of the cit...
The purpose of this project was to develop a foundational document that will guide the development of the Climate Change Action Plan in 2009. Climate change goals and targets were developed for a number of different growth scenarios leading to recommended policies and actions. The final report was designed to be useful for future public consultation and engagement opportunities...
By engaging with diverse audiences, the engagement process is establishing a clear vision of the community's desired future, and moving the focus to strategic directions and new solutions. A wide range of techniques are used to share information, involve a broad and diverse cross-section of the community, and collaboratively plan for a sustainable future. Innovative techniques...
With the assistance of the Drinking Water / Watershed Stewardship Protection Committee, the RDN designed an aggressive new program focused on protection of water resources in the region, both for drinking water and for aquatic habitat. The program, entitled 'Action for Water,' was passed by referendum in November 2008. ...
Holland Barrs (now HB Lanarc) developed and launched a third party accreditation system for green fleet operations in Canada. The project began by completing a scoping study to assess the administrative and technical dimension of green fleets and an accreditation system for fleets. Following positive feedback, HB completed a number of one-on-one stakeholder interviews with fle...
The Songbird Design Guidelines were created to ensure that the East Fraserlands neighbourhood be designed, developed, and maintained to maximize the diversity of bird species using the site for nesting and foraging. This involved establishing a range of preferred habitats for as many bird foraging guilds as possible in public areas such as parks, streets, and greenways. A list...
As a follow-up assignment the development of the 2002 Park Master Plan for Esquimalt Gorge Park, our firm worked with the Township of Esquimalt to develop conceptual and detailed design for a new active area and parking lot within Esquimalt Gorge Park. Intended to become an active destination for this centerpiece park in Esquimalt, the active area will include a playground and ...
The City of Edmonton is in the process of drafting a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP). During public consultation, the community raised concerns that issues of food security and the protection of agricultural lands were not previously included in the MDP. As a result, the new plan will create increased dialogue between the community and developers on these issues. Throu...
HB Lanarc led the development of a neighbourhood plan for 125 acres in Gibsons, BC. The objective of this project is the development of a sustainable neighbourhood area plan for a visually stunning, ecologically rich, and culturally sensitive site. Energy efficiency and district energy play important roles in the project....
HB Lanarc carried out a comprehensive neighbourhood planning process premised on enhancing sustainability, livability and introducing Placemaking Principles. The Plan was the first NCP to be guided by Surrey Sustainability Charter. The process involved public and stakeholder consultation that resulted in a detailed neighbourhood plan containing visions and goals, an illustrated...
Managing and coordinating a complex team of experts in communications, market research, transportation, urban design, and sustainability, HB Lanarc (as Holland Barrs) led the extensive strategic and practical aspects of the consultation. This included three open houses, eight stakeholder workshops, various public surveys, an interactive website, and ongoing outreach. The proces...
This project involved the facilitation of workshops for the GCC, a non-profit group promoting the conservation of BC's endangered grassland ecosystems. The workshops brought together regional and municipal planners to share practical conservation tools and explore effective solutions....
The Green Infrastructure and Sensitive Ecosystems Bylaws Toolkit provides local governments (municipal and regional) practical tools for protecting susceptible components of ecosystems within communities. The toolkit provides different approaches to achieving ecosystem protection through various regulatory tools including OCPs, tax exemptions, and zoning bylaws. ...
Working with the InSight Group Development Corporation Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) helped to create a vibrant community with 230 new homes located adjacent to downtown Nanaimo. The development plans incorporated sensitivity to the natural environment of the site and to the character of surrounding neighbourhoods as its guiding principles. A park and greenway system, pedestrian-orien...
The Irrigation Scheduling Calculator, a combination of the Landscape and Agricultural Calculators, was built for the Ministry of Agriculture and Land to act as a decision-making and troubleshooting tool for irrigation specialists, landscape planners and architects, maintenance personnel and both public and private farmers. This easy to use, web-based calculator utilizes live we...
The project involved the design and facilitation of a Citizen's Forum on Sustainability and website for the Central Okanagan region. The objective was to educate citizens on issues related to sustainability and raise their awareness about how they might be involved in the community-wide discussion. Citizen engagement involved the development of a highly inclusive, collaborative...
The City hired Holland Barrs (now HB Lanarc) to lead a thoughtful review of their official community plan, to ensure the 'hardwiring of sustainability' into land use and transportation patterns. Extensive public and stakeholder engagement was a key aspect of project design, with over 2600 people taking part directly and extensive public awareness more broadly. This was twinned ...
The Ladysmith community visioning process charted a new process for a community defined future. Six comprehensive workshops used innovative techniques of experiential planning to get to the heart of what activities are vital for Town residents and what the built environment, pathways, roads and other amenities need to look like to represent Ladysmith's unique character. The...
The Cities of Langford and Colwood on Vancouver Island reviewed and updated their Official Community Plans in response to increasing growth and development pressure, community need for well-designed town centres and parks, and to ensure consistency with the regional growth strategy. The project used urban design and public engagement strategies to bring the existing OCPs into a...
Southeast False Creek is described as "the greenest neighbourhood in North America", according to Tim Cole, Chair of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Green Building Council. Awarded more points than any other development worldwide, Southeast False Creek received the highest Platinum certification under the US Green Building Council's, LEED for Neighbourhood Development. Our ...
Our firm completed comprehensive research on laneway housing that identified a range of housing infill and intensification prototypes suitable for laneways. This research presents single-lot, laneway, infill housing as a key part of an overall residential intensification strategy that Canadian municipalities can use to help meet critical housing needs while meeting a range of o...
The Town of Markham is developing a GreenPrint Plan that will help to implement the strategic directions of the Building Markham's Future Together initiative. This Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) will help identify high priority sustainability goals, objectives and targets and lay out policies, strategies and specific actions to achieve them. The plan will enab...
Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) developed the strategy behind the revitalization of Nanaimo's Downtown public plaza, including the public consultation, concept and detailed site design for the newly named Diana Krall Plaza. The plaza's crucial location as the major meeting place in the downtown arts district, and linkage to Nanaimo's renowned waterfront was reconciled through a place-ma...
Working with CEI Architecture and TASK Project Management, as well as Nanaimo City Parks, our firm has completed site planning and the landscape architectural components for the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Phase 1 of the landscape is complete, with additional landscape and amenities being completed in phases....
Engagement Strategy and Process for RGS Review, 'Shaping Our Future'. The project involved identifying key audiences, creating core messages, developing outreach strategy and brand, developing a website, delivering an online survey, and running stakeholder workshops for the Regional District as it prepares to rewrite its Regional Growth Strategy from a sustainability perspectiv...
Our firm developed the landscape design for the Perinatal addition to the Hospital, including a new entry plaza at the main hospital entrance. The design worked within the constraints of a growing institutional land use, developing usable public outdoor space that the hospital was previously lacking. Circulation, seating and user comforts were key considerations during the deve...
Called 'Choosing Our Future', this unique, joint planning initiative aims to help Canada's Capital Region face the challenges of the 21st century, and integrate concepts of sustainability and resilience into all facets of regional planning and design. It includes a comprehensive, community-wide exploration of topics ranging from land use to infrastructure, to culture, to food s...
This project involved initial scoping, concept development and capacity building activity to explore the potential for collaborating on a shared North Eastern BC climate agenda, how it could be governed, and capacity building needs to support such work....
Otter Point is a rural community in the Capital Regional District (CRD)approximately 45 minutes west of Victoria, British Columbia. HB Lanarc is leading a public process to review the existing OCP and conduct environmental mapping with its partner, Raincoast Applied Ecology. This work will result in a list of recommendations based on community feedback, environmental mapping, a...
Following the successful completion of a long range vision for Parksville Community Park and waterfront walkway, a Downtown Revitalization Study considered ways to build a connection between the waterfront and downtown that realizes the potential of Parksville's spectacular beachfront setting. Through this process, Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) investigated how transportation, urba...
The purpose of this project was to update the 1996 Management Plan for the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area (PQBWMA) to reflect changes in the status of and management objectives for the Area. The overall goal, and major challenge, for the PQBWMA is to protect, preserve and improve its very significant ecological assets while accommodating increasing public us...
Partington Creek is one of three watersheds affected by the Northeast Coquitlam Area Plan, which is one of the major growth areas proposed in the GVRD. Lanarc Consultants is lead consultant to the City of Coquitlam to create a neighbourhood plan for this new town of 10,000 people. This neighbourhood plan will establish policy guidelines for land use, transportation, environmen...
A successful Triple-Bottom-Line bid to purchase and develop the City of Port Coquitlam's former works yard into a high-density, mixed-use anchor for redevelopment of the surrounding neighbourhood....
The City of Port Coquitlam is undertaking a comprehensive, cross-departmental Environmental Strategic Plan. The process involves public, stakeholders and staff input to produce a high level plan with vision, goals and strategic directions. Supporting this plan is a detailed implementation plan, outlining steps, roles and timelines to reach the strategic directions. Rough estima...
Full service landscape architecture services for the design of an outdoor civic amphitheatre adjacent to the Municipal Hall. The amphitheatre is centred on an outdoor stage that connects to the Council Chambers, and provides a venue for approximately 750 spectators for summer festivals, concerts, and other public gatherings....
Prince George's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) creates a planning and implementation framework for sustainability for the whole community, including the city, partner organizations, and citizens. The accompanying Official Community Plan (OCP) is a way to immediately implement the ICSP, by aligning it with ICSP goals and targets, and taking focused action on lan...
HB Lanarc developed Downtown Design Guidelines for the City of Prince Rupert to emphasize building and street-scape design that enhances pedestrian activity, amenity and safety and contributes to the downtown's unique identity and sense of place. More broadly, the guidelines are intended to help implement the vision established in the Prince Rupert Quality of Life Community Pla...
Sea to Sky University, Canada's first secular, not-for-profit and self sustaining institution, is located in Squamish, BC on a 97-hectare (240 acre) site. The university will eventually teach and house 1,200 students. The site will also be surrounded by a mixed-use community with 1,000 units....
The Core Neighbourhood Sustainability Action Plan involves integrated planning and design efforts to address social, environmental and economic issues in a Regina inner city neighbourhood. The project also produced a sustainable development plan for a key site....
HB Lanarc led a consultant team responsible for four main components of Nanaimo's regional trail system – analysis of the current system, extensive public outreach and stakeholder input, plan development and public review and plan finalization. Based on the 1995 Plan, the new plan re-defines the vision and goals for the system. It also establishes priorities for managing existi...
Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) completed a series of 3D models and visualizations that compare an elevated skytrain to an at-grade solution at a variety of Richmond locations. These images have been instrumental in urban design discussions concerning the RAV line and adjacent land use in Richmond. ...
Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) led a multi-jurisdictional team to assist the City of Surrey in developing an approach to streamside protection that not only met the provincial Riparian Areas Regulation, but also addressed a wide range of other management concerns – floodplains, tree stand integrity, wildlife corridors, drainage and trail considerations to name a few. The project resul...
Holland Barrs (now HB Lanarc) led the development of a set of community design principles and guidelines for the range of neighbourhoods and centres that make up this rapidly growing Vancouver Island community. The guidelines are based on fostering the creation of a network of compact, mixed-use, transit oriented and walkable neighbourhood centres with a high quality of urban ...
SCRD required services of a facilitator to prepare engagement opportunities during this scoping exercise, to use professional facilitation skills to ensure all points of view were heard and consensus on priorities was reached, to publicize and develop interest in the process, and to build trust and move towards positive outcomes. This included scoping issues and experiences, fa...
Seylynn Village is a major urban infill and Smartgrowth project that includes the re-development of an area predominantly defined by single family housing located in the District of North Vancouver. When completed, the project will be a high density, compact, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development, with a mix of low, mid-rise and high rise towers. HB Lanarc has been involv...
During the Shawnigan Hills Athletic Park project, Lanarc (now HB Lanarc) undertook the redesign of an existing park to support the recreational goals of the community. Integrating active sports facilities into a small community presents not only challenges for funding, but also ensuring that park design maximizes use and enjoyment for all members of the community. The process u...
HB Lanarc lead a 3 day public design charrette focused on downtown revitalization exploring opportunities for downtown living through sensitive, mixed use infill, designs for flexibility and adaptability over time, public realm improvements including square, park, public art design, and other place making strategies, and main street revitalization and local community economic d...
HB Lanarc facilitated an extensive community process that guided the development of an Official Community Plan for the Town of Smithers BC. With HB Lanarc's assistance, the community developed a vision and goals that form the foundation of the Official Community Plan that will guide town planning in Smithers for the next 20 years....
Snuneymuxw First Nation is located near downtown Nanaimo with additional reserve lands south of Nanaimo and land holdings within the City of Nanaimo. The community's Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) focuses on eight strategic areas (see right). The community plan contains a set of policies, goals, objectives, strategies and recommended actions that address each of the eight a...
The Southeast False Creek neighbourhood rests on 80 acres of former industrial lands, situated on one of Vancouver's last remaining downtown waterfront sites. The development includes residential, live/work, retail, and office uses, as well as public amenities and cultural venues. Currently, 1100 residential units, 68,000 square feet of commercial space, and a civic centre are ...
HB Lanarc led the Phase 2 certification application to the US Green Building Council, under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Development (LEED ND) program for the 80 acre Southeast False Creek site and Olympic Village....
HB Lanarc developed design considerations and guidelines, technical considerations, and management strategies for effectively integrating urban agriculture (UA) into a high density neighbourhood. The report focuses on how UA is an innovative tool for urban design and can play a key role in building community around food. Topics covered in the report include: perspectives on foo...
HB Lanarc (as Holland Barrs) led a multi-disciplinary team in developing a strategy to integrate food related activity into Vancouver's model Southeast False Creek sustainable community. The strategy addressed how a high density urban community might develop an improved relationship with food production, processing and distribution systems. The Urban Agriculture Strategy addres...
Site planning for a 530 acre site that includes the integration of habitat and protected areas, agriculture, and a built community. The work continues to involve strategic planning, public engagement, and site design for buildings and open spaces, with a goal to successfully integrate agriculture with urbanism while considering integrated infrastructure systems and habitat area...
HB Lanarc is developing the District of Squamish's Community Energy Action Plan, providing project management and facilitation, technical advising, leading a smart growth block sub-project, and delivering the final master project report. HB Lanarc has developed policy frameworks focus on energy efficiency community-wide and local government buildings. We are working with the Di...
HB Lanarc is working with the community, landowners, and key stakeholder groups to develop a Sub Area Plan for the Squamish Oceanfront Peninsula. This unique waterfront brownfield redevelopment project will incorporate the principles of Smart Growth and sustainable design to establish a new neighbourhood adjacent to the existing downtown. Community amenities including parks are...
Building on the work of the South of Fraser Area Transit Plan, TransLink and the Province of BC are leading a phased study to examine the alternatives for expanded rapid transit in Surrey. In the early stages of the study, we are working with the cities of Surrey and Langley as well as Metro Vancouver to engage stakeholders and the public. Phase 1 of the study is just begin...
Pando is an online networking site that has the potential to be a premier global resource for professionals who research and work in the field of sustainable cities. The Pando team plans to launch the site to a North American audience in February 2012 and globally at the March 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio +20. Mark Roseland, author of Toward S...
Lanarc has worked as part of a multidisciplinary team tasked with detailed planning for a new community at Simon Fraser University. This new community for 10,000 people has a mandate to investigate and apply environmental best practices ranging from stormwater management and street design to green building design. ...
A website guide for US towns and cities to rapidly advance green buildings, neighbourhoods and infrastructure. The Playbook shows how strategic actions in these sectors promote economic development, build healthier communities, strengthen energy independence, and support climate protection. The Playbook is a powerful demonstration of the type of collaboration needed to address ...
HB Lanarc developed the streetscape and landscape plans for the Vancouver Island Conference Centre completed Summer 2008. HB Lanarc played an instrumental role in the project concept and followed-up to complete landscape architecture design and construction implementation services for Nanaimo's new downtown convention centre, working with Stantec Architecture. HB Lanarc's par...
The City of Victoria is updating their OCP to respond to community priorities and to themes and goals clarified in their new sustainability framework. Having developed the Victoria Civic Engagement Strategy, HB Lanarc is now helping the city put their engagement tools into practice for this OCP update. At least 5,000 people will be engaged over 12 months as the OCP is updat...
The Water Conservation Calculator is the online version of the water management tools created by the Ministry of Community and Rural Development. The focus of this project was to enable knowledge sharing by providing a web-based, flexible tool that city planners and conservationists could use to quickly and efficiently calculate the long term effects and costs of planned conser...
The creative and extensive engagement program involved the community in planning from the very beginning to both explore and focus the key issues and strategic priorities. The process was aligned with the Council's strategic priorities, which focus on livable neighbourhoods, safe communities, and economic, environmental, and social sustainability....
