The thesis takes a normative, yet pragmatic approach, in examining how the protection
of habitat and ecological functions can be improved through changing current uncoordinated,
sectoral decision-making processes into a holistic, cooperative approach to guide planning at
the local level. In rapidly growing regions on the urban/rural fringe such as the Sunshine
Coast, towns, rural areas and large wildernesses form a complex matrix of land uses across
the landscape which require the integration of provincial and local government planning.
Thus, a case is made for a decision-making process that generates a conservation strategy,
integrating local and provincial planning at the scale of regional districts in British Columbia.
The literature is reviewed to identify principles for a conservation strategy approach to
decision-making which include: a consensus-based process, cross-sectoral government
coordination, broad-based public involvement, and non-governmental partnerships for
implementation.
Secondly, the literature pertaining to several regional approaches to conservation
planning is reviewed including: parks system planning, landscape ecology and bioregional
theory. From these two sources of literature, a hybrid model of the regional conservation
planning strategy is formed. Using criteria derived from this hybrid model to evaluate the
effectiveness of planning processes, the provincial conservation planning framework is
evaluated. The policies of the Commission on Resources and Environment, the provincial
government’s Land and Resource Management Planning process and the Protected Areas
Strategy are evaluated according to the criteria. Fourthly, conservation planning on the
Sunshine Coast is examined, and a case study of the Sechelt Inlets Coastal Strategy is
evaluated against the criteria. By evaluating both the provincial planning framework and the
local case study, conclusions can be drawn on the need for regional conservation planning
strategy processes in rapidly developing areas at the urban/rural fringe. Finally,
recommendations are made for changes to provincial and regional district policies to facilitate
more effective conservation planning for the Sunshine Coast Regional District and other
regions in British Columbia. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/5434 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | McMullen, McMullen, Mark Edward Mark Edward |
| Source Sets | University of British Columbia |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis/Dissertation |
| Format | 4262045 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. |
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