Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in urban areas: An evaluation of rainwater management practices in Metro Vancouver

Adapting to climate change will require a combination of approaches, from man-made infrastructure to holistic approaches. British Columbia’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plans (ISMPs) promote a holistic approach to rainwater management, which views rain as a resource and aims to mimic the natural hydrological cycle by allowing rainwater to return directly to the ecosystem. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is a novel approach to planning and adaptation that prioritizes ecosystem services, enhancing biodiversity, as well as human health and well-being. This research uses a framework of EbA principles to evaluate select ISMPs from the City of Surrey and City of Coquitlam. While the intended purpose of ISMPs is not directly to address climate change, the results of the research show that municipalities in Metro Vancouver are already successfully implementing the principles of EbA through ISMPs in the urban context.