Cowichan Bay Vitalization (2018)
The Cowichan Valley Regional District engaged MVH Urban Planning & Design along with the Fraser Simpson Consulting Group to lead a number of consultants to determine a future plan for this waterfront village in 2018. The scope of the work involved traffic and geotechnical engineering, economic and market scans of potential future expansion, development strategies, and a NOW implementation plan with associated focused and practical design guidelines.
The process was condensed, starting with a background report and then a four-day design charrette that actively engaged the stakeholders and the community in a number of interactive and progressive engagements. The resulting NOW Implementation plan is underway. The project received the highest award (Award of Excellence) in the category of Small Town and Rural Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2019.
The consulting team developed design and development plans for Cowichan Bay that will guide appropriate development while stimulating some bigger moves to unlock the potential of this small waterfront community on Vancouver Island.
A practical “NOW” implementation plan (bottom) that is currently underway.
The planning and design process proposed some big ideas, like this waterfront water court.