Cochrane, Alberta, Canada - February 2009

Leading-edge sustainability methodologies were the focus of a hands-on 3-day session in Cochrane, Canada, working with an active case study – the town of Cochrane Sustainability Plan. This “Learning to Implement” Boot Camp was organized around the PLUS Network Planning Cycle.

Close to 50 participants from towns in central and western Canada gathered to learn about best practices from PLUS Network member cities, and to hear about Cochrane’s experience of working with the stages of the PLUS Planning Cycle in developing their Community Sustainability Plan (CSP).

In small workshops, participants analyzed the Cochrane CSP to develop recommendations for how to implement and monitor the CSP. Their recommendations were presented to members of the Citizen Advisory Group who are leading the CSP process.

The Boot Camp was a great opportunity for a hand-on learning experience with an outstanding CSP process, as well as a chance for participants to learn from each other’s experiences as municipal and private sector planners and sustainability professionals.

Participants also enjoyed the warm atmosphere of Cochrane, a growing town of 15,000 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the province of Alberta, and excellent organic, locally-grown food.

The Boot Camp was conducted by Sustainable Cities in partnership with Intelligent Futures and the Town of Cochrane.

For more information on the Cochrane Sustainability Plan (CSP), visit the CSP website

Cochrane Bootcamp Brochure (372 KB)