frequently asked questions
As we are asked questions that are repeated, we plan to include them and our answers on this page.
What's New
On December 20, 2009 we made a submission to the Official Community Plan ("OCP") Steering Committee in response to their invitation to the development community to contribute to the OCP update. In that submission we described some of the challenges for Bowen to be more sustainable (social, environmental, and economic well being), some items that should be addressed by an updated OCP to achieve greater sustainability (diversity, affordability, community life/spirit, local economy), and how some of the planning mistakes of the past can be changed.
On July 9, 2010 we published an ad entitled "The Value of Real Estate on Bowen Island: Thoughts and Observations" noting that real estate values rise where people want to live. Vancouver is still considered a real estate bargain compared with other desirable places in the world to live. That simple fact will become the force that will ultimately shape real estate values on Bowen Island. The challenge remains to plan for housing forms for citizens with modest means. We are working on some models in an effort to break through the current barrier of non affordability. On April 30, 2010 we published an ad entitled "Living on an Island" in which we discussed some of the benefits and challenges specific to island living -- especially on Bowen Island which is so close to the City of Vancouver and its scenic neighbourhoods. On April 16, 2010 we published an ad entitled "A Call for Civic Pride", suggesting that civic pride would dictate that the first impression of Snug Cove, the gateway to Bowen Island, should reflect the soul and spirit of Bowen Island and its citizens. Unfortunately the Cove has lost much of its earlier charm -- something should to be done about that.
In 2009 and 2010 we published articles about Bowen's future, the current review of the Official Community Plan, land economics and affordability, the meaning of community, creating a sustainable community, local economy, the idea of density transfer and its relationship to sustainability - those articles can be found on the Media section of this website.