Evaluation of the B.C. Strategic Land Use Plan Implementation Framework

Land-use plan implementation is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors. In all, eighteen factors are identified as key to implementation. Key factors include strong stakeholder support, sound land-use plans, and a supportive institutional structure that draws heavily on a collaborative design. However, focusing solely on any single factor or group of factors will undermine the implementation process. Robust and effective systems require careful attention of all factors. Government support lays the foundation for many of these factors. If government demonstrates a commitment to implementation-particularly through collaboration-then other stakeholders get on board, and successful implementation is likely. The strengths of the B.C. strategic land-use plan implementation framework include the collaborative planning process that developed the plans, plan clarity, flexibility, innovative leadership, stakeholder involvement, and adequately understood problems. The only major weakness of the framework is the prevalence of unfavorable stakeholder characteristics. However, there are numerous deficiencies in B.C. plan implementation systems. While strategic land-use planning has succeeded in implementing the Protected Areas Strategy and a number of other plan recommendations. much remains to be achieved to reach social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Strategic land-use planning can be an effective tool for achieving sustainability, but to do so, it must be better supported by government and meet all eighteen factors for effective implementation.