The Archipelago

Mar 11

Written By Kees Lokman

Proactive Adaptation.png — The Future…

This scenario explores how a proactive and adaptive approach to sea level rise could be realized across the region. A proactive approach allows for more substantial planning to respond to sea level rise and flooding of the region and provides increased opportunity for large scale interventions. An adaptive approach in this scenario allows the infiltration of water into lowland areas and responds by densifying upland areas and modifying land use in the floodplains.

3:30pm, Wednesday July 17th, 2052.PITT MEADOWS:In the past thirty years, nearly 30% of the established Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) has transitioned to new forms of food production - such as aquaculture - with the other 20% transitioning to ecological reserves and/or tourism centers.* Aquaculture in particular has become more common since the April 2050 storm event, with seafood replacing poultry and red meat in the diets of many. Nearly all 68.45 km sq. of ALR in Pitt Meadows has transitioned to aquaculture. Clams and mussels have become a more valuable BC export, rising from $38.1 million in 2016 to $49.5 million in exports, and open pen fish farms (common within the Pitt Meadows area) now contribute approximately $681.5 million in exports.***estimated based on percent of Agricultural Land Reserve affected by flooding during a 1:50 year storm + 1m of sea level rise + Spring Freshet**estimated based on 2016 export values and 30% growth, 2016 Export Highlights BC Agrifood & Seafood — 3:30pm, Wednesday July 17th, 2052.
PITT MEADOWS:
In the past thirty years, nearly 30% of the established Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) has transitioned to new forms of food production - such as aquaculture - with the other 20% transitioning to ecological reserves and/or tourism centers.* Aquaculture in particular has become more common since the April 2050 storm event, with seafood replacing poultry and red meat in the diets of many. Nearly all 68.45 km sq. of ALR in Pitt Meadows has transitioned to aquaculture. Clams and mussels have become a more valuable BC export, rising from $38.1 million in 2016 to $49.5 million in exports, and open pen fish farms (common within the Pitt Meadows area) now contribute approximately $681.5 million in exports.**
*estimated based on percent of Agricultural Land Reserve affected by flooding during a 1:50 year storm + 1m of sea level rise + Spring Freshet
**estimated based on 2016 export values and 30% growth, 2016 Export Highlights BC Agrifood & Seafood

1:00pm, Saturday August 27th, 2051.FALSE CREEK, VANCOUVER:As water levels rose over the past thirty years, the region began to retreat from the water, leaving behind semi-inundated areas that slowly were taken over by water-tolerant plant life. These emergent wetlands protected communities and attenuated wave action during the major storm event of April 23rd, 2050. In the years after the storm event, local governments and community groups began to restore and repair damaged wetlands to bolster their flood mitigation properties as well as improve their ecological and eco-tourism value. 79.9% of wetlands that were in existence thirty years ago were adversely affected by flooding and sea level rise,* however this number has been drastically offset by new, managed wetlands which have been installed along abandoned waterfronts, such as those bordering False Creek. The Olympic Village area is notable for its extensive constructed wetland, which encompasses Science World, making it accessible only by boat.*based on percent of wetland area affected by flooding during a 1:50 year storm + 1m of sea level rise + Spring Freshet — 1:00pm, Saturday August 27th, 2051.
FALSE CREEK, VANCOUVER:
As water levels rose over the past thirty years, the region began to retreat from the water, leaving behind semi-inundated areas that slowly were taken over by water-tolerant plant life. These emergent wetlands protected communities and attenuated wave action during the major storm event of April 23rd, 2050. In the years after the storm event, local governments and community groups began to restore and repair damaged wetlands to bolster their flood mitigation properties as well as improve their ecological and eco-tourism value. 79.9% of wetlands that were in existence thirty years ago were adversely affected by flooding and sea level rise,* however this number has been drastically offset by new, managed wetlands which have been installed along abandoned waterfronts, such as those bordering False Creek. The Olympic Village area is notable for its extensive constructed wetland, which encompasses Science World, making it accessible only by boat.
*based on percent of wetland area affected by flooding during a 1:50 year storm + 1m of sea level rise + Spring Freshet

36 x 90 in - River - Planned Retreat.png

We want to hear from you!

Our team has identified 4 main approaches that our region can take in response to 2050 flood levels: The Bathtub, The Wall, Waterworld, and The Archipelago. We would greatly appreciate your feedback and reactions to these scenarios.

Waterworld