Burnaby city council will review a proposed motion this week aimed at better preparing the city for extreme weather events, including floods and wildfires. The motion, supported by five city councillors, seeks to update Burnaby’s Official Community Plan (OCP) to address the growing risks posed by climate change.
Coun. Alison Gu, one of the councillors behind the motion, emphasized the importance of the OCP as a guiding document for the city’s housing, transportation, and industrial development over the next 25 years. Gu noted that the city has been engaging with the community for over two years on the plan, with hopes of finalizing the process in the coming year.
The motion highlights that climate change is significantly increasing the risk of natural hazards, such as wildfires and floods. Rising temperatures are leading to heavier winter rainfall and drier summer conditions, which in turn heighten the potential for extreme weather. Councillors are proposing the addition of a “climate adaptation lens” to the OCP to mitigate these local risks.
Gu pointed to specific areas of concern, particularly Burnaby Mountain and UniverCity, which face an increased wildfire risk. She stressed the importance of planning to protect the community, especially considering the proximity of a high-volume petrochemical facility at the base of Burnaby Mountain.
“We need to think about practical measures, like placing electrical equipment at the top of buildings rather than in basements, or designing parking lots to allow water to flow through instead of creating barriers that prevent drainage,” said Gu. “These are just a few of the elements we need to consider.”
The councillor also underscored that extreme weather events can have devastating impacts on both properties and livelihoods.
The urgency of the issue is further highlighted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, which have caused significant destruction, damaging or destroying more than 12,000 structures. Gu pointed to these fires as a stark reminder of the need for proactive planning.
“There’s no amount of planning that could have prevented the scale of what happened in California,” Gu acknowledged. “But we can certainly prepare for smaller, regional events like wildfires and minimize their impact through strategic planning.”
Related topics: