Port Administration and Integrated Coastal Management under the Canada Marine Act in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Large, urban ports are under pressure from a variety of stakeholders to integrate nontrade objectives into the planning and management of their harbors. The Port of Vancouver was criticized in the late 1980s for its insensitivity to local interests. Since that time, the Vancouver Port Corporation has developed a leading-edge landuse plan. Such plans are now required of Canadian port authorities under the new Canada Marine Act. In addition to land-use planning, this new legislation restructures the boards of directors of port authorities to reflect regional interests and requires annual public meetings. Based on Vancouver's experience, the institutional framework of port management in Canada and the Canada Marine Act are described. Vancouver's land-use plan and the Canada Marine Act are discussed with respect to public access to the urban coast. Finally, the capacity of the new regulatory framework to meet objectives of integrated coastal management and to guarantee public access to the waterfront is assessed.