1. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Food “If we don’t get sustainability in agriculture first, sustainability will not happen.” Wes Jackson, Land Institute

2. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Goals – Working Group on Food 1.To investigate food production, transportation and security in the Metro Vancouver region. 2.To identify the driving forces propelling regional food production and consumption trends 3.Explore key indicators that help to define the relationship between food and urban form 4.Propose recommendations on how the regional food system can contribute to the provincial target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Workshop One - Food

3. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Food Food & Resources: Modern Agriculture = Cheap Energy –1910: 1 BTU fuel energy = 1 BTU food –Today: 20 BTU fuel energy = 1 BTU food Implications of Peak Oil & Peak Water Source: SEFC Urban Agriculture Study

4. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Industrial Agriculture Modern agriculture = monoculture 12 plant species provide three- quarters of the world’s food.12 plant species provide three- quarters of the world’s food. 50% of the world’s food energy comes from varieties of rice, wheat, and maize.50% of the world’s food energy comes from varieties of rice, wheat, and maize. Concentration Farm Ownership Number of Farms in Canada 1951 - 623,087 2002 - 246,920 Workshop One - Food Source: International Development Research Centre, SEFC Urban Agriculture Study, Statistics Canada

5. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Food Miles & Globalization weighted average source distances (WASD WASD – Weighted Average Source Distance Source: Leopold Institute, Iowa State University, 2003 Between 1968 and 1998, world food production increased by 84%, population by 91%, while food trade increased 184 %. Estimated amount of food imported into the US (2001) – –39 % of fruits, –12 %t of vegetables, –40 % of lamb, –78 % of fish and shellfish

6. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Context of Food: Metro Vancouver Amount of food consumed in Lower Mainland produced locally: 20-60% Considering population projections, production will need to expand by 60% to meet current levels of food security Between 2002 and 2006 70% increase in the number of farmer’s markets in BC Typically a 3 year waiting list for a community garden plot in the City of Vancouver

7. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable “Clearly, our present ways of agriculture are not sustainable, and so our food supply is not sustainable. We must restore ecological health to our agricultural landscapes, as well as economic and cultural stability to our rural communities…. For 50 or 60 years, we have let ourselves believe that as long as we have money we will have food. That is a mistake. ” Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson NY Times, January 2009

8. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Number certified organic producers in Canada Source: Certified Organic Production reports 1992-2005, Anne Macey for Canadian Organic Growers Drivers Increased Sales of Organic Food Increased consumer emphasis on health and nutrition Consumer concerns about food safety, environmental protection, GMOs Entry of mainstream food marketers General Mills, Heinz, Kellogs and McDonalds

9. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Redesign, re-structure, and reform local food systems De-centralize - Move to integrated, dispersed, stable systems. Minimize transportation distances Build food production in and around urban areas Rebuild the cultural basis of food production Sustainable Local Food Supply Agricultural Urbanism Israeli Kibbutz

10. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Food Questions What does a strong regional food system mean to urban development/ redevelopment in Metro Vancouver?What does a strong regional food system mean to urban development/ redevelopment in Metro Vancouver? Are there optimal urban forms or patterns that support a strong/resilient food system?Are there optimal urban forms or patterns that support a strong/resilient food system? Food Production Transect: Southlands Design Charrette Rooftop Garden, Waterfront Hotel Center for Urban Agriculture, Seattle

11. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Food What opportunities/ obstacles does urban design in Metro Vancouver present to enhancing a strong regional food system?What opportunities/ obstacles does urban design in Metro Vancouver present to enhancing a strong regional food system? Are there regulatory barriers – political/social/ economic/ technological?Are there regulatory barriers – political/social/ economic/ technological?

12. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Food What synergies exist between regional and urban agriculture, and other sustainability goals?What synergies exist between regional and urban agriculture, and other sustainability goals? Are there development conflicts between supporting regional and urban agriculture, and other sustainability goals?Are there development conflicts between supporting regional and urban agriculture, and other sustainability goals? Food & Community Source: SEFC Urban Agriculture Study

13. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable “By beginning to make agriculture sustainable we will have taken the first step forward for humanity to begin to measure progress by its independence from the extractive economy.” Wes Jackson

14. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water Living Water Smart in Metro Vancouver: Alignment of Regional Actions with Provincial Goals Kim Stephens, MEng, PEng Program Coordinator Water Sustainability Action Plan for BC Chair Metro Vancouver LWMP Reference Panel Chair Sustainability by Design Water Group image “What the Cell is to the Body, The Site is to the Region”

15. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water Presentation Outline  Provincial Goals Provides Direction  Regional Regulation Drives Action  How SxD Can Make a Contribution

16. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable ‘Living Water Smart, ‘Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan’ BC’s Water Plan’ is a visionary document is a visionary document Workshop One - Water It encourages local governments to: do business differently prepare communities for change choose to be water smart Provincial Goals

17. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Provincial Goals Green Communities Project complements and supports Living Water Smart Workshop One - Water Key Messages: The Province is fostering partnerships, collaboration, innovation and integration The Province is leveraging change through grants

18. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water Regional Regulation Key Message: The LWMP is a powerful regulatory tool that has the potential to truly effect change for the better on the ground

19. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water SEWAGE TREATMENT: technology choices, level of treatment and innovation BUILT ENVIRONMENT: asset management, cost control & greening of urban landscape NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: protection and/or improvement of stream habitat and marine receiving environment The Reference Panel identified these theme areas for structuring the Plan Elements:: Regional Regulation

20. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water The ‘theme areas’ have evolved into a ‘model for integration’ in the region Regional Regulation

21. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water We have informed the Metro Vancouver Board that a ‘Design with Nature’ approach and re-use of resources are key to climate change adaptation which must be part of this plan Develop compact, complete communities Increase transportation options Re-use and recycle water, energy and nutrients from liquid wastes Protect and restore urban ‘green’ space Strive for a lighter ‘hydrologic footprint’ Achieve higher levels of stream, wetland and receiving water protection Regional Regulation

22. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water SxD participants can help advance THE NEW BUSINESS AS USUAL by… 1.Championing the Living Water Smart Vision, in particular these objectives for doing business differently: STREAM HEALTH: By 2012, all land and water managers will know what makes a stream healthy, and therefore be able to help land and water users factor in new approaches to securing stream health and the full range of stream benefits WATER USE: By 2020, overall water use in British Columbia will be 33% more efficient SxD Contribution 2.Advocating use of the Water Balance Model to establish watershed-specific targets that achieve the stream health objective

23. Sustainability by Design Research Roundtable Workshop One - Water SxD Contribution