South Downtown Waterfront Initiative

Framing the Future - Vision and Guiding Principles

FRAMING THE FUTURE for the South Downtown Waterfront is not a regulatory document. Therefore, its effectiveness will be determined by ongoing community support for its tenets, and its continuing regard by all decision makers. It is intended to be a living document that guides future development decisions over the next 30 to 40 years.

Given that the future is uncertain, and that change will be driven by a host of social, cultural, economic, environmental, political, and technological factors, the Vision and Guiding Principles not prescriptive in predetermining what the future of the South Downtown Waterfront will be. Rather, the document provides a set of Guiding Principles, which constitute a framework to evaluate the myriad development proposals that may arise in the future.

• Vision and Guiding Principles (PDF)

Framing the Future - Technical Report

The Nanaimo South Downtown Waterfront Initiative is a long-term, high-level consultation and visioning process for a 59-hectare (146 acres) study area along Nanaimo’s South Downtown waterfront. The area is bounded by the Snuneymuxw First Nation to the south, the Esplanade and Front Street to the west, and Cameron Island to the North, with the eastern boundary extending into Nanaimo Harbour.

• Spanning a six-month process, the Initiative involved:
• Reviewing extensive background materials;
• Meeting and consulting with stakeholders;
• Conducting public input events; and
• Carrying out a Design Charrette.

This report summarizes the Initiative’s process, undertaken from July to December 2013. Together, this report and the accompanying FRAMING THE FUTURE: Vision & Guiding Principles Report solidify a shared vision and guiding principles to inform and shape future planning processes and decisions for this important waterfront asset.

• Technical Report - Part 1 (PDF)
• Technical Report - Part 2 (PDF)