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Where in British Columbia is ‘World’s Most Livable Community’ at UN-endorsed global awards event‏‏

Gibsons, BC named 2009 ‘World’s Most Livable Community’  at UN-endorsed global awards event

PILSEN, Czech Republic – October 13, 2009 – The best community in the world to live, is Gibson’s BC!

Communities from around the world that are leaders in addressing issues ranging from pollution to conservation and poor housing were named at the annual finals of the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) held in Pilsen, Czech Republic (October 8-12).

The annual LivCom Awards were launched in 1997 and are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. LivCom is the world’s only awards competition focussing on the best practices regarding management of the local environment. The objective of LivCom is to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of ‘liveable communities.’

This year’s finalists included representatives from some of the smallest communities, (Carlyle, Canada pop. 1,257) to some of the very largest (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, pop. 4.2million). 

The submissions were judged on six key criteria for both projects and communities which showed strong evidence of the following;  Enhancement of the Landscape, Heritage Management, Environmentally Sensitive Practices, Community Sustainability, Healthy Lifestyles and Planning for the Future. Gibson was awarded gold in the less than 20,000 population category for achievement in each of the six criteria, and earned recognition for “Planning for the Future.”

“We are honoured to have Gibsons recognized as the most livable place to live. Gibsons is truly a thriving community whereresidents enjoy a great natural living environment,” says Judy Spears, President of Sunshine Coast Tourism.

The winners in the “whole city” section judged as the world’s most livable communities across the six criteria were: Gibsons, Canada (population category up to 20,000), Newark, England (up to 75,000), Melville, Australia (up to 200,000), Shilong, China (up to 750,000) and Dalian, China (over 750,000).

About Gibsons
Gibsons is a small coastal community known as the ‘Gateway to the Sunshine Coast.’  Part of the British Columbia’s mainland, Gibsons is accessed by a scenic 40-minute ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, through beautiful Howe Sound. It is home to 4,000 residents.

For the full list of results and the full citations for the criteria awards, please see the media page on the website atwww.livcomawards.com  or for further information including high resolution photography of the delegations please emaillivcompress@btinternet.com tel: +44 7825 082595

For more information about Gibsons, BC, the Sunshine Coast and the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region visit www.vcmbc.comor call 604-739-9011.