Ontario Construction News staff writer
Burlington City Council has approved Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather, identifying risks and vulnerabilities from climate change.
The purpose of the plan is to identify actions to manage the highest risks of warmer, wetter and wilder weather. While the CRB plan outlines 32 actions under five themes focusing on building resilience and preparing for a changing climate over the next 10 years. It’s the city’s first climate adaptation plan.
Theme 1: Resilient Built and Natural Infrastructure
- Manage infrastructure to prepare for future climate conditions and carbon neutral goals
- Enhance resilience of infrastructure exposed to high flood risk
- Invest in proactive measures to prepare for increased extreme events to avoid post-storm reactive costs
Theme 2: Thriving Natural Environment
- Reduce damage to trees while increasing the value of the services they provide
- Value, conserve and enhance the multiple services that natural areas provide
Theme 3: Extreme Heat and Health
- Provide City services to support the community during extreme heat events
Theme 4: Disaster Resilience
- Build capacity in the community to prepare for and respond to more extreme events and long-term climate stresses
- Encourage climate adaptation actions from citizens and businesses
Theme 5: Strong and Resilient Economy
- Support agricultural community in preparing for climate change
- Support and develop resilient local supply chains to help withstand impacts associated with extreme climate events outside of Burlington
Several climate actions are already underway, including:
- Stormwater infrastructure improvements such as larger creek culverts and creek channel improvements
- Burlington Stormwater Management Design Guidelines
- Urban Forest Master Plan
- Municipal Natural Assets Initiative – Grindstone Creek Watershed Project
- Spencer Smith Park and Beachway stabilization and wave breaks
- City View Park pavilion and solar installation
- Anti-idling campaign and bylaw
- Expansion of the City’s electric vehicle charging stations
- Corporate Green Fleet Strategy
- Rural Active Transportation Strategy
- Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA)