Akmal Bazarov

I have always taken a practical approach to climate action, focusing on solutions that work. In my career in contracts, procurement, and project management, I have observed that improved planning, responsible purchasing, the use of technology, and efficient processes can reduce waste and improve resource use.

I have likewise taken part in various community organisations and done voluntary work, such as acting as a Board Member for the United Nations Association's Vancouver branch.

In the way that I deal with community matters, I think that environmental responsibility should be incorporated into our plans for the neighbourhood and the way we manage public resources. This should involve promoting energy efficiency, improving transportation, planting trees, developing resilient infrastructure and enhancing waste management.

I think that action on climate issues should be both measurable and responsible. Since the city is using public funds for a climate initiative, residents ought to be able to see what objectives it has, how much it costs and whether it is achieving results.

Climate action should also make life in Burnaby more beneficial and cheaper for its residents.

I would focus on practical actions that reduce emissions while improving how the City functions. These measures would involve improving public transportation, providing safer routes for walking and cycling, increasing energy efficiency, planting more trees, developing resilient infrastructure, and enhancing waste management.

Burnaby should also make use of technology and improved data to pick up on problems before they turn out to be costly; for instance, better monitoring of the infrastructure can help in identifying the need for maintenance earlier on, and traffic data can be used to improve traffic flow and cut down on unnecessary fuel consumption.

As the city of Burnaby grows, housing and infrastructure must be planned jointly. When new housing is being considered, transit, roads, sidewalks, parks, utilities and community facilities should also be taken into account.

I also think there should be some form of accountability for climate investments. People ought to know the cost of a program, what results it is expected to achieve, and whether or not those results are in fact being delivered.

The way I proceed is simple: to carry out practical climate action that helps protect our environment, positions Burnaby to cope with extreme weather, and delivers tangible benefits to residents.

My aim would be to help people choose the most practical way to get around, whether by public transit, on foot, by cycling, or by driving.

I would back improved transit reliability and better connections by working with TransLink and the nearby municipalities to deal with regional transportation issues, and I would also support safer pedestrian crossings, better sidewalks, school zone safety, and more well-connected cycling routes.

Transportation planning must be based on improved data, and the city can use technology to detect congestion, improve traffic flow, and better understand where pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users need safer connections.

I also think that Burnaby should realise that a great many people still rely on their cars. That doesn't mean we should ignore drivers; instead, we should work on improving traffic flow and parking as well as making the streets safer for all.

When new developments are being considered, account should be taken of their effects on local streets and transportation infrastructure. Since Burnaby is expanding, housing, roads, public transit, sidewalks and cycling infrastructure all need to be planned in a coordinated manner.

The objective must be simple, namely fewer accidents, an improved range of transport options and less time spent in traffic.

Although Burnaby cannot manage the regional transit system on its own, the city can do a great deal to improve its operation.

I should work closely with TransLink and the municipalities next to us to push for improved reliability, better connections, and better service as Burnaby grows. The City also needs to coordinate its transportation planning with new housing and large-scale developments rather than treating transit as a separate matter.

In the area under the City's control, we could enhance public transit infrastructure by improving sidewalk safety, providing better pedestrian crossings, enhancing cycling links, and ensuring that routes and streets are accessible so that buses and other traffic can move more efficiently.

Technology can also be of assistance; improved traffic data can detect congestion and enable the city to see where transportation improvements are most required.

I would also ensure that residents have a clearer way to report transportation problems and track them.

The population in Burnaby is increasing, and the transportation infrastructure must grow with it; the city should use its position to coordinate, campaign for change, and introduce practical improvements in cooperation with TransLink, neighboring municipalities, and other levels of government.

Housing affordability and climate action ought not to be seen as separate matters. We need homes that are affordable while also making neighbourhoods more efficient and resilient.

I back having more housing options, such as purpose-built rental properties, affordable housing, larger homes for families, smaller homes, housing for seniors, and homes close to public transit. I also think it is important to make the approval process more predictable and reduce unnecessary delays and costs.

When new housing is constructed, transportation, sidewalks, parks, utilities and community facilities should all be planned at the same time. Proper planning can lead to more efficient neighbourhoods in which people have better access to transit, services and their everyday needs.

Burnaby should improve its cooperation with the Province, the health authorities, the neighbouring municipalities and the non-profit organizations. There should be more shelter and supportive housing as well as access to mental health, addiction, employment and other kinds of support.

We should also provide for homes and infrastructure to withstand extreme weather and promote energy efficiency.

I am taking a practical approach by providing more housing options, improving the planning process, strengthening partnerships, and making investments that enhance both affordability and resilience.

Parks and green spaces are an important part of community infrastructure because they provide opportunities for families to use them and help Burnaby prepare for extreme weather and address environmental challenges.

I back the idea of protecting and expanding trees and green spaces, especially where they can provide shade, enhance neighbourhoods, and increase resilience during extreme weather.

The city should also consider using green infrastructure to manage rainwater and reduce the strain on engineered infrastructure, and improved planning could help us identify where trees, vegetation, and permeable surfaces can offer practical benefits.

Community gardens and various other local food projects can likewise offer residents the chance to take part in their neighbourhoods, provided that they are established in situations where they are appropriate for the community.

The city can use advances in technology and improved data to determine where green infrastructure will provide the greatest benefit and to assess how its investments are performing.

As has been the case with other forms of public investment, I would stress the importance of achieving results. We must safeguard our natural resources while ensuring that public spending is responsible and delivers real benefits to residents.