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by
Brennan Feldman
Smart Growth on Ground (SGOG) says the town of Oliver, British Columbia as it
begins its journey of endurance. This is the concept backing the Greater Oliver Concept
Plan aiming towards a prosperous region. Taking into account many circumstances such
theories based on growth principles, many modern plans are taking into consideration
those ideas based around sustainability and smart growth. Oliver's being one of them
depicts a conceptual plan cast through community efforts and planning embodiment
which draws its target upon eight guiding principles that encompass the foremost of
the region's essentials. These essentials, combined with many modern day and ironclad
land use premises, give way to a very comprehensive matter that not only explains the
rationales for this plan but sheds light on why this plan was devised and portrayed as it
is.
Giving an overview of this plan would make for a very redundant piece,
therefore this composition will focus on a few aspects of the plan and in turn relating
those findings to key materials oriented towards concepts based around a learning
environment of land use and planning. Beginning with any single concept would be
bordering a shotgun approach, and this said, a short synopsis will start this
presentation. The town of Oliver’s history welcomes those who inquire with a quaint
experience. Being based in the only desert region in Canada, Oliver has made sound
use of its attractive attributes. With a very mild average temperature, residents and
tourists alike can join in appreciating the area’s virtues such as water activities and
sports as well as a common pastime of sightseeing. Not only does Oliver boast its
attractiveness to all who live and visit through activities and good weather, but it is
also fruitful from its background in the wine culture/industry. Having one of the best
rated wines in the world, not only do their residents get to enjoy good feelings around
dinner time but their economy shows great potential from this wonderful industry!
In recognizing this potential, it is important to consider many things;
changes (among many other factors) will bring for the future, you can begin to consider
potential is a section of the plan geared towards achieving a successful mixed use
community. Providing great headway for their current economy, the plan provides
sustainment for Oliver’s agricultural proficiency and still allows for a progressive inflow
sustainment is the ecological foundation that not only allows for a beautiful aesthetic in
and around town but aids through transparency with such benefits ranging from public
urban design, the concept of legibility provides great knowhow in devising and
Inviting the reader into the plan is a set of guiding principles covering all
and charrette process, and ending with a section for funding/participants; as well as an
action plan timeline. These additives are a very important component to the plan and
its development, but for purposes of this composition, the core of the plan retains the
most importance. Beginning with the concept of mixed use, it should first be stated
that there are so many possibilities in achieving mixed use development, and also very
many situations where it may not work but is used for the idea simply as it is the ‘new’
not cynical in argument but apparent in many instances if one examines modern plans
Mixed use, simply stated, is exactly what it sounds like; mixing your land
uses not only allows for proximity benefits but economical and social benefits dually. In
putting your residence above your business you can minimize transportation, allow for
a more human scale scenario and increase density, which in contrary to most beliefs
can make an urban area more safe(especially at night) and allows for more possibilities
of a strong internal market. In the Greater Oliver Concept Plan, mixed use is discussed
in great detail, beginning with the most important; its validity and appropriate
instances for implementation. The plan discusses an urban growth boundary stating,
“In the future, an urban growth boundary is desirable, although a specific boundary
location has not yet been delineated. An urban growth boundary will designate the
areas within which urban land uses (including mixed use developments, residential,
characterize the plan’s objectives as aware and knowledgeable of its purpose and use.
Continuing on its mixed use excursion, the plan touches upon it in the budget as far as
area coverage and percentage of budget use, as well as regions of different mixed use
types. Instead of designating one area or set of areas as mixed use zoning, Oliver
grants mixed use residential, mixed use commercial and mixed use industrial. A reader
may cringe upon that last use as they may assume mixed use industrial as a
smokestack factory topping your residence, but in fact there are many different forms
of industrial use. One example the plan gives, shown in figure 2, controls the types and
uses of mixed use industrial as, “Permitted Uses: Studio / shop / flex space at grade,
1
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (pg. 18) “Urban Growth Management”
2
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (Pg. 35) “Industrial Mixed Use” Figure 2 also from this page
Figure : Shown here is an excerpt from the Greater Oliver Concept Plan giving
an example of a scenario of mixed use industrial being implemented as a studio beside
an industrial space.
This massing would typically follow that similar to buildings around it but still
stray from uniformity. Staying clear from a massive industrial complex connected to a
mass uniform housing structure via a mass transportation system, this option allows
practically a work at home scenario if that resident works there, and social space
conformity with work space in the rear. In many occasions throughout history mixed
use has been the norm, but with the suburban growth and current economic patterns,
it has become near impossible to compete with big box stores as a small time
business.
Along with Industrial mixed use, certainly tags along the obvious commercial
and residential mixed uses. One may think these would be the same thing if they did
not understand that in certain contexts it is appropriate to have form based around
dense living and form based around more open low density situations. Mixed use
residential the plan describes as, “Typical building massing includes mostly
residential uses with some ground floor commercial.3” This would best benefit an area
with medium density as it would require more parking and more permeability for
residences, although parking structures could help this issue if placed in high density
areas. As the plan depicts, its downtown core contains a denser series of buildings as
it nears the riverfront, followed by a public space and then a green space along the
river. Running parallel to the river up through the city there is a series of streets: 93rd
street which is similar to the boardwalk type where there is high density fronting the
public space viewing the river, then there is the lane which is pedestrian and service
3
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (Pg. 28) Mixed Use Residential
friendly allowing much permeability through to both the 93rd and main street.
Following, is more high density buildings bordering both sides of main street and then
pathways reaching from low density development through to the river. Accessibility is
key here, and with all of this permeable space it is easily available for mixed use
implementation. Likewise, as mixed use residential fits here, as does mixed use
commercial which usually is best fit in more dense areas. The more commercial units
that can fit within one building, the more there will be activity and growth. Adding
livability to this scenario is the cherry on top as it will attract higher priced
All of this hype about increased development, a greater population, and this
mixed use stuff, current residents may be a bit weary to this new plan’s decisions.
agricultural society, it can get interesting. Most farmers either are accepting to
development because they can get out of their business after some rich corporation
buys up their land, or despise it because they are conservative with their current
culture. Realizing this, the plan clearly adds a section aimed towards appeasing this
inquiring crowd. This may have made them sound like the bad guys ruining the
plan, but in context with Oliver’s history it is definitely an important issue to retain
agriculture and green space. In order to keep their current culture, agriculture must
outline, “To minimalize edge conflicts, adjustments are required on both sides of the
agricultural-urban edge—in both farm practices and in the lifestyles and tolerance
of urban neighbors.4” and in stating that the answer lies in planning and land use
policies, “this means emphasizing compact and high density development in place
and using landscaping and other techniques to buffer urban development from
flow from one region to another not abruptly but legibly in order to keep not only
planners happy but to make it easier for inhabitants to find their way. In terms of
legibility, Kevin Lynch in his book “The Image of the City” states, “Just as this
or pathways are easily identifiable and are easily grouped into an overall pattern.5”
This said, legibility stands for many things, whether it the alignment of the
separating but not alienating two distinct regions to benefit both. Using techniques
such as enhanced landscaping on the urban side of the edge or signs re-iterating
the importance of moral boundary when it comes to the agricultural lands, safety
wraps up his section on incompatible land uses and begins with a section on
environment can be offset for some operators by the economic advantages of close
proximity to urban populations. With such proximity comes the potential for direct
there is added value for both farmers and urban neighbors in reducing the distance
between producers and consumers.6” Turning profit from this type of situation is
4
Alvin D. Sokolow, Presentation to USDA Policy Advisory Committee on Farmland (Section 2 of
outline – second paragraph)
5
Kevin Lynch, “The Image of the City” Legibility - Top of Pg. 3.
6
typically difficult for farmers to do alone; therefore it would be wise of a plan to
include incentives for these types of things. Not only would this help out the
agricultural economy but it would provide Oliver with increased tourism and home-
success. Since open space has no determined use so far, the possibilities are
endless in a town like this. New initiatives and little to no fixed requirements provide
a framework that can be legible and beneficial. Extending the reaches of both urban
and rural contexts into one another is also key in providing Oliver with a positive
future. In discussing the protection of agricultural land, the plan calls for a strong
edge and also states that it must, “Create gateways to Greater Oliver’s agricultural
areas.7” Much like the problems in the City of Buffalo, Oliver is not exempt from this
down all aspects of prosperity. For Oliver, these gateways will reach from the river in
the downtown section all the way through to the rural areas, allowing a very legible
city to emerge and flower into a fruitful, wine drinking, agri-tourism paradise.
Alright, maybe it won’t be a paradise, but it might compete with Toronto in a couple
decades!
and green space. These types of gateways, or ‘corridors’ can be seen throughout
most places, some more sporadically than others, linking one green space or
7
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (Pg. 71) Non-Urban Oliver: Emphasizing and Protecting the Rural
and Agricultural Landscape
sensitive area to another allowing for many different types of species to survive;
especially the herpetofauna which so heavily rely on the edge effect of different
environments. Connecting the patches of the landscape, these corridors should not
along the river, extending out into the desert areas. And in preserving the
ecosystem, preserving the view-shed is also called for. In the section: Non-Urban
much as possible. Mimic naturally occurring vegetation patterns, such as the cluster
achieving this optimal viewshed, a nice aesthetic will grace the area’s inhabitants
and allow for a more sustainable local ecology as they will take better to native
plants.
Along with the viewshed comes the issue of the watershed and erosion
prevention. This is perhaps one of the most important aspects of any plan since it
the right pH to keep the river species alive to preventing a mudslide that topples a
shown in the plan, most of the studied region is highly susceptible to aquifer
local wells for their water supply, the plan states, “It is generally recommended that
monitoring and possibly identified as protected areas.9” The riparian ecosystem and
the residents’ wells will be grateful for any and all investigations completed.
8
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (Pg. 86) Non-Urban Oliver: Viewshed Management
9
Greater Oliver Concept Plan (Pg. 89) Non-Urban Oliver: Protecting and Restoring Environmentally Sensitive
Areas (last paragraph)
Along with all of the ideas brought forth in this composition, one underlying
message should be understood. Coherency, vitality, and identity are great tools for
building a viable region and community. Utilizing such mechanisms as sewers and
community involved discussion based charrette, a plan could conceivably spark the
return of one of Ebenezer Howard’s Garden cities smack-dab in the desert of British
Columbia. Quite a feat wouldn’t it be? But with all things considered, is that really
what is in Oliver’s best interest? Maybe, but this plan seems to be on target with a
little more accuracy behind its aim. One thing must be remembered; each region,
each community is specific to itself and all of the planning must reside around that
but would that aid Oliver’s future transportation? Maybe in the far future, but not in
this plan.
Every aspect and rationale of this plan has a very appropriate mannerism and
approach for its issue. Although, a few things may have aided this plan’s legibility:
More specific details such as describing every street’s layout and maybe even each
different agricultural region and how they aid Oliver as a whole. Also, it may have
movement. Other than that, this plan’s rationales and key concepts really hit the
head of the nail when it comes to providing reasoning behind its approach. What
shall the future bring for the Town of Oliver? If it is anything like a Garden City, they
should be in good shape locally, but it will most likely want to extend its reach past
internal commerce. Hopefully this plan can assimilate its urban villagers, its
agriculture society and even its agri-tourists for a totally legible and fruitful future
development. That is if they can relieve their red wine headaches before the next
charrette.
(This picture taken from The Greater Oliver Concept Plan front page)
• Books.Google.com (search: Image of the City) The first option will be Kevin
Lynch’s
• http://64.233.169.132/search?q=cache:ZOm1CYVVWVYJ:aic.ucdavis.edu/researc
h1/USDA%2520ls%25207-21-
00.pdf+agricultural+edge&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us (Sokolow’s
Presentation)
Plan)
• Note: Many instances and terms of class discussions were brought up through
this essay, but there was no copy-pasting of the slides’ text. Therefore, it is
FAR, corridors, etc. have been taken from notes and used in this composition.
Key concepts have been understood and reformed to fit this work.