Integrated Rainwater Management Plan | UBC Campus & Community Planning

Developed as part of Campus Vision 2050 implementation, in coordination with broader campus planning (the Land Use Plan, Campus Plan, and neighbourhood plans), the IRMP responds to ongoing campus growth and increasing climate-related risks, while protecting the Point Grey cliffs and the valued areas of the campus from flooding.

The IRMP establishes a campus-wide framework to protect critical infrastructure, support ecological systems, and safeguard surrounding environments, while maximizing co-benefits for the campus community and Musqueam. It reflects updated climate projections, modelling, policy direction, and best practices in green rainwater infrastructure. This plan replaces the 2017 Integrated Stormwater Management Plan and sets out a renewed direction for sustainable, cost-effective and resilient rainwater management at UBC.

Download the Integrated Rainwater Management Plan

Strategy and objectives

The IRMP adopts a whole-systems approach to rainwater management that:

incorporates resilient and adaptive landscape design,
seeks a range of co-benefits,
prioritizes cost-effective solutions, and
coordinates internally and externally with partners and adjacent jurisdictions

Key Actions

The IRMP identifies infrastructure upgrades to support long-term, resilient rainwater management across the UBC Vancouver campus. They key upgrades are:

Centralized surface facilities for detaining storm sewer flows during major weather events
Targeted upgrades to trunk and local storm sewers
Site-level green rainwater infrastructure facilities
Strategic rainwater quality treatment.

For UBC Staff and Project Teams

Parts One and Two of the IRMP is for UBC staff to support the implementation of rainwater management infrastructure. This includes UBC Facilities, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of this infrastructure, and Campus & Community Planning, which is responsible for policy development, regulatory review, and approvals.
Part Three of the IRMP provides clear requirements and guidance for project teams on the design and delivery of rainwater management components in new construction projects and renovations, and is supported by the UBC Technical Guidelines.

Use the dropdowns below for an overview of IRMP design criteria and guidelines

Design Criteria for Rainwater Management Infrastructure

This section provides a summary of the responsibilities and design criteria for rainwater management infrastructure for:

Centralized Surface Facilities
New Piping Associated with Centralized Surface Facilities
Site-level Facilities
Local Sewer Improvements Associated with Future Development Projects
Proprietary Water Quality Treatment Devices
Trunk Storm Sewer Upgrades
Lift Stations
Culverts in Botanical Garden

Reference: Section 3.2 pages 35 to 39

Landscape GRI Design Guidelines

This section outlines the range of landscape GRI types (e.g., wet and dry pond, bioswale, rain garden, green roof, urban bioretention trench and bioswale) applicable at both precinct and site scales, and the general design guidelines that ensure these facilities function effectively while supporting UBC’s landscape, cultural and climate objectives.

Reference: Section 3.3 pages 41 to 52

Design, Process, Permitting and Approvals

This section outlines how rainwater management requirements are integrated into UBC’s development planning, design, permitting, and approval processes. It provides an overview of the campus development review framework and identifies the technical analyses and documentation required to support project approvals, including drainage studies, storm sewer assessments, grading plans, runoff calculations, and climate resilience evaluations. Together, these requirements help ensure that new developments effectively manage rainwater, reduce flood and erosion risks, support resilient infrastructure, and advance UBC’s long-term sustainability and rainwater management objectives.

Reference: Section 3.4 pages 53 to 55

Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines

This section outlines the requirements and best management practices for erosion and sediment control during demolition, renovation and construction activities on development sites, public realm projects and utility projects on campus. The guidelines are intended to prevent sediment-laden water, construction debris, and contaminants from entering the campus stormwater system and surrounding watercourses.

Reference: Section 3.5 pages 56 and 57

The IRMP will also inform external audiences such as neighbouring jurisdictions, local governments, researchers, and other universities about UBC’s approach to rainwater management.