Regina Environment Study

Client The City of Regina
Location Regina | Saskatchewan | Canada

Regina is recognized for its beautiful tree canopies, clean air, expansive prairie views, and the spectacular Wascana Centre and Lake-one of the largest urban parks in North America. Yet ongoing urban growth and evolution presents a range of environmental challenges and concerns. The new Design Regina Official Community Plan provides opportunities to refine the City’s approach to balance environmental management with social and economic issues to meet the challenges of sustainability.

O2 Planning and Design Inc. (O2) is leading the completion of an Environment Study to inform the Design Regina planning process. The study, which is nearing completion, consisted of the following:

Environmental Inventory: Reports, digital data, and information on Regina’s biophysical environment were reviewed, synthesized, and mapped. Information on multi-jurisdictional environmental governance issues was also compiled and summarized. 

Gap Analysis and Recommendations: Analyses of potential studies to fill data gaps was completed. Complementary research to fill spatial data gaps on wetlands, tree canopy, and stormwater infrastructure was also undertaken at the city-wide scale. 

Evaluation of Future Impacts: The future environmental impacts of city growth were assessed using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Impacts on indicators related to parks and open spaces, biodiversity, floodplains and riparian areas, wetlands, Wascana Lake, sensitive aquifers, steep slopes, and agricultural soils were all assessed in detail. Indirect impacts on water use, air quality, greenhouse gases, wastewater, solid waste, transportation, land use, and public environmental health concerns were also evaluated.

Best Practice Case Studies: A series of best practice case studies were compiled to illustrate the successful application of municipal environmental planning tools.

Planning and Policy Implications for Regina: A set of recommendations, strategies, actions, and potential targets were compiled to assist with future planning and implementation decisions. 

Stakeholder Engagement: Expert stakeholders were interviewed up front in the process, and planned engagement of internal and external stakeholders is ongoing.