In the non-metropolitan regions of British Columbia the factors that underlie community well being are changing rapidly and producing profound challenges. Some communities face structural change as traditional industries decline, economic opportunities erode and social dislocation occurs. In other cases new enterprise such as destination resort development and oil/gas exploration over-tax the abilities of communities to plan adequately for local and regional land use and development impacts.

In many regions the demand for large-scale land uses has exposed the need for enhanced planning skills and tools. Increasingly, non-metropolitan communities are having to consider development and use in tandem with conservation of their land. Ultimately, communities wish to achieve sustainability when making decisions about land use and attendant social, economic, environmental and governance issues.

Communities in Transition (CIT) is a partnership initiative designed to assist communities in planning for the use and conservation of their land. CIT's mission is to support values-based planning processes that balance social, environmental, economic and governance concerns to address regional and local land use and conservation issues in non-metropolitan areas of BC. Led by an Advisory Group formed from founding members, the CIT has three major goals to assist in carrying out its mission:

Goal #1. Help communities plan for transition. CIT strives to help communities plan for transition and address impacts arising from specific and cumulative events or the erosion of traditional economies and social structure. CIT enables research, professional and public education services, and work on public policy concerns. CIT supports information management needs and problem-solving purposes related to the conservation of natural areas as well as the development of landscapes for economic uses and settlement areas. CIT considers economic development, urban design and community planning in the context of land use planning. CIT produces and shares specific, useful products in the form of research (case studies, context studies and analyses, demonstration projects) publications, educational events/programs and implementation strategies. Partners and collaborators can apply this data and information in their planning processes.

Goal #2. Encourage and support partnerships and collaboration. CIT brings together many agencies and practitioners whose responsibilities and professions or vocations play a role in shaping the use and conservation of land for local communities and their regions. These entities include planners, administrators, local governments, real estate brokers and analysts, environmental stewardship and conservation organizations, government agencies, aboriginal communities, developers, real estate professional organizations, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, elected officials, consultants and many others. This partnership approach allows agencies and practitioners to share and draw upon a wide range of expertise applicable to the sustainable planning cases that communities facing transition must address. The integration of knowledge and the cumulative experience -- captured in plans, research, analyses, policy, etc. -- of this partnership enables enhancement of planning scope and standards to address communities' concerns about the use and conservation of their land.

Goal #3. Share achievements, expertise and implementation strategies. CIT shares the achievements (in the form of practical services), expertise and implementation strategies of its partners through a web-based resource library and applied educational services. CIT is building an Information Resource of past, ongoing and proposed CIT projects, as well as case studies, analyses and planning information about use and conservation of land. This Information Resource improves the quality of and increases access to analytical, evaluative and descriptive information, which communities need to assess trends and opportunities and implement successful strategies for change. The Information Resource also offers a database of educational references, courses and events. CIT will highlight educational programs, including workshops and conferences, and design additional services to complement existing education programs while meeting the unique needs of CIT partners and collaborators.

Ultimately, CIT is about assisting communities in successfully implementing values-based planning to promote community well being. The cumulative expertise gained through CIT partnership and services will help BC's non-metropolitan communities in transition make appropriate land use decisions and implement positive change.

For more information about CIT contact the CIT Secretariat by email at info@communitytransition.org or phone 604-688-6800 (Toll-free: 1-866-912-6800).

Communities in Transition (CIT) Application Form - Word | PDF
 

        Submit an application to the Foundation
        only after you have been invited to do so by a staff member.
        Unsolicited applications will not be considered. For more information,
        see 'How to Apply' (at left).