Smart Development Partnerships

Land use patterns dictate the character of communities in British Columbia, and the costs of infrastructure and servicing development. Land use patterns are planned by local governments and built out by private individuals and corporate sector interests. The Provincial Government establishes the legislative framework for local government land use planning and development.
 

Partnerships between those who plan and those who invest have the potential to result in better decisions for local governments and also benefit provincial areas of interest. Facilitating these partnerships is an integral part of the Ministry’s work to support local governments in their efforts to plan and make land-use decisions to benefit their communities.
 

The Smart Development Partnership Program Outline (84 KB) for 2006/07 includes the intended outcomes of the program, current priorities and the selection criteria for projects. Current priorities for the program include:

• Streamlining and Harmonizing the Development Approval Process
• Encouraging the Development of Affordable Market Housing
• Planning for Development that Integrates Social Interests
• Encouraging the Development of Compact Communities

For more detailed information about the program please read the program outline (84 KB).
 

Project terms of reference are negotiated between potential partners before a contract with a sponsoring local government is entered into. Any project proposal prepared for the Ministry’s consideration must contain the elements in the Project Outline (38 KB).
 

Recent partnership projects:

• Dockside Green performance Indicators
• Freehold Tenure Row Housing
• GVRD Housing Choices
• Harmonization of development application forms
• GVRD Livable Centres Program
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
• Low Impact Development Model Bylaw
• Municipal Infrastructure Design Guideline Manual

For more information, please contact:
Lois-Leah Goodwin
Director
Intergovernmental Relations and Planning Division
Ministry of Community Services
 
Tel: 250 356-1128
E-mail: LoisLeah.Goodwin@gov.bc.ca
 
Toll Free through Enquiry BC
In Vancouver call:1-604-660-2421
Elsewhere in BC call:1-800-663-7867