Grand Forks Official Community Plan (2020-2022)
The Grand Forks Official Community Plan process combined three projects in one. These included the Official Community Plan Update, the Wayfinding Plan, and the Runkle Neighbourhood Flood Park. The "Three in One Plan" incorporated policy work with implementation. It was recognized in 2023 by the Planning Institute of British Columbia with the top Gold Award for Planning Excellence for its innovation and clarity.
Analytic Innovation
Uses GIS and other advanced mapping techniques (3D visualization and data modeling) “layers” for detailed inventory and synthesis to reflect the unique ecological landscapes, sensitive small town landscape character, and its vulnerability to flooding.
Progressive Missing Middle Policy Development
Provides opportunities for a diversity and choice of housing in every residential land use areas through detailed neighbourhood planning and related infill design concepts.
Visualization of Compact Clustering in a Rural City
Each of the progressive neighbourhood nodes and community centres were designed to introduce more compact housing and scaled services in areas where access and other community services already existed, building on existing patterns and advancing a more walkable and bike-friendly community. The Wayfinding Plan complemented the OCP policies and helped better connect these neighbourhoods together and city-wide.
Climate Resilience Planning with Progressive Recreation
Addressed climate change through new flood hazard information to complement the City’s structural flood mitigation program with non-structural adaptation measures in the OCP. The North Ruckle Flood Park Concept Design further advanced the mitigation plan, recognizing the “histories” of the site – both short and long, while “making room for the river” that floods this area at least once every two years.