WC134 JanFeb 2024 - Magazine - Page 35
Uniting landscape architects, engineers, environmentalists,
local communities, and the Musqueam First Nations, it is a
shared endeavour that speaks to the power of teamwork in
tackling environmental challenges.
tion, the project is distinguished by its collaborative approach.
Uniting landscape architects, engineers, environmentalists, local
communities, and the Musqueam First Nations, it is a shared endeavour that speaks to the power of teamwork in tackling environmental challenges. By upgrading the treatment plant to meet
stringent federal regulations and initiating a range of ecological
restoration projects, the IIWWTP is not just transforming a
facility, it is regenerating an entire ecosystem. This collaborative
effort not only addresses current environmental concerns but
also sets a precedent for future projects, demonstrating how integrated, community-involved approaches can lead to sustainable,
ecologically sound, and climate-resilient outcomes.
As landscape architects, we are dedicated to working holistically, building trust within the community, and creating designs
that offer nature-based solutions with significant ecological
impact.
A central aspect of the design approach is the integration of
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
cultural values and interests. This includes respecting and incorporating the cultural values and priorities of the Musqueam and
other First Nations into the project design and its execution.
The opportunity to design a site like the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is extraordinary and the project is an important precedent for future infrastructure and climate adaptation
projects. It represents an innovative step towards protecting and
rejuvenating ecosystems, blending infrastructure harmoniously
with nature, and thereby sustaining the region and its habitats.
The Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is also a
recipient of the CSLA 2023 Awards of Excellence for Planning
and Analysis, and the 2023 ASLA Honour Award for Planning
& Analysis.
Fuelled by Indigenous collaboration and a multi-level partnership, this project is not merely an ecological restoration—it’s
a legacy in the making, inspiring a vision that promises to establish an ongoing legacy for the region.
WATER C AN ADA • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2024
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