2007 Burnaby EnergyFit

As a result of Burnaby's EnergyFit retrofit program, the City has saved $360,000 in electricity and natural gas costs during the two-year implementation period, and is expected to conserve 4,022,980 kWh of electricity and 23,836 GJ of natural gas on an annual basis.

 This reduction in natural gas alone will result in a corresponding reduction in CO2 emission in the amount of 1,296 tonnes per year. To complement the City's civic upgrades, a three year education program was also undertaken to motivate staff to turn off their lights and computer monitors when not in use, reduce vehicle idling, and minimize other unnecessary forms of energy use.

2007 Delta Climate Change Initiative

The Climate Change Initiative comprises nine individual action plans which definespecific strategies for reducing Delta's contribution to global warming and mitigating itsvulnerability to climate change:

1. Building Efficiency Plan2. Green Fleet Management Plan3. Infrastructure Improvement Plan4. Urban Forest Management Plan5. Education and Training Plan6. Flood Management Plan7. Natural Areas Management Plan8. Sustainable Development Management Plan9. Community Outreach and Education Plan

2007 Elkford Corporate Operations

The District of Elkford, population 2,400 intends to demonstrate to communities of a similar size
that given the drive and commitment of a co-ordinated team of Council and staff, that smaller
communities are capable of exhibiting leadership and innovation within the realm of energy
related projects on a par with larger communities.
The District has undertaken the following projects, all of which demonstrate the commitment and
leadership of our Council and staff to energy reduction, by employing the latest technologies
available to us.

• Converted 16 units of the District fleet to Bio-Diesel. Mixtures range from B-20 to
  B-40 Fleet
• No idling Policy implemented to control idling of District fleet.
• Implemented an Automated Waste Collection and Recycling system, leading to
  increased productivity, also reducing insurance and running costs.
• Two Solar Powered Water Circulators were installed at the sewage lagoons.
  These units have virtually eliminated the need for any form of electrical power at
  this facility.
• An Energy Study was commissioned to identify energy shortcomings and to
  recommend suitable retrofits to the system.
• Various lightning initiatives have been undertaken, leading to improved
  efficiencies and cost effectiveness within District operations.
• Intelligent Parking Lot Controllers have been installed to intelligently utilise
  preheating requirements of District vehicles.
• Water Initiative. A water leak detection study has been undertaken to identify
  failures within the District water supply system.

2007 Houston

As a small, northern community with limited financial means, the District of Houston's focus is
ON-THE-GROUND initiatives that make a difference to quality of life for residents, all the while
ensuring that our environmental impact leaves a pristine and sustainable community for our
children. Current "green" initiatives include:

1. Geothermal heating of the new pool - commissioned in 2006
2. Geothermal heating and ice refrigeration for both the arena and curling rinks - 2007/08
3. District energy system - a revenue-generating, long-term utility
4. Energy Centre of the North - a demonstration model of key "green" building technologies
5. Heat recovery from the sewer treatment plant, heating the public works building
6. Community Action on Energy Efficiency initiatives
7. Arena "Live Sites" upgrade
8. Community "Local Motion" walking / bicycling trails
9. "Green" bylaw upgrades including, a) official community plan amendments for sustainable
   living land-use, b) clean air bylaw, c) nuisance bylaw and d) revised water bylaw with water
   meter provisions
10. Municipal woodstove exchange program - to financially entice compliance with the clean air
    bylaw - for the elimination of non-certified solid fuel burning appliances by 2010
11. Industry's compliance by decommissioning their beehive burners by 2007 - replaced by a
    pellet plant and bark energy system
12. District composting program
13. Greening with street trees program - 200 mature trees planted in 2006 alone
14. Financial sustainability focus through a responsible asset management program and
    Community Forest initiative
15. New seniors housing centre and announcement for 24/7 healthcare starting in 2007
16. "Green" storm water system

2007 Metro Vancouver Water Filtration

The Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project (SCFP) is being submitted for consideration of
the 2007 Energy Aware Award in the Community-Level Planning and Development
Category. Completion of this project and other concurrent treatment system upgrades
will permit Metro Vancouver's water supply to meet all required criteria stipulated by the
Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and Provincial Regulations. Through
principles defined in its Sustainable Region Initiative, Metro Vancouver has
demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development and energy use optimization
through projects such as the SCFP. The filtration plant, which is the flagship component
of this project, will be Canada's largest and will provide valuable insight into methods
available to optimize energy utilization.

2007 RDOS Naramata Water System

The Naramata Water System was developed over a number of decades to service
both agricultural and residential water needs. Prior to 2007 the Naramata Water
System relied on a mixture of upland creek water blended with water pumped
from Okanagan Lake. As the upland creek source provides poor drinking water
a new pump station and treatment facility was commissioned in 2007 to provide
residential water solely from Okanagan Lake.

Equipment for the Naramata Treatment plant was purchased according to full
life cycle cost assessment including power consumption. The model of UV
reactor chosen was the most power efficient. A heat pump, using the latent heat
in the treated water reservoir, heats and cools the building.

Planned pipe twinning will supply treated lake water to residents and untreated
upland creek water for agricultural properties. This twinning will eventually
save significant energy from pumping and treatment.

The RDOS commenced a Water Ambassador program for the Naramata Water
System and a Low Flow Toilet Rebate both of which reduce the water consumed
and energy used by the system.

2007 Richmond Fire Halls

Municipalities are in a unique position to lead by example and to work with community
partners and the public to garner support and galvanize action to contribute to the
reduction in global climate change. The City of Richmond has been developing and
implementing a range of innovative initiatives in an effort to accelerate the transition
towards a more sustainable community. The design and construction of the Hamilton and
Sea Island Fire Halls demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development. The
objectives of this project were to:

• Position the replacement fire halls in strategic response locations, for the existing
  and future communities.
• Provide community access to the fire halls.
• Construct green buildings without sacrificing fire rescue operational needs.
• Build for future expansion.
• Construct the buildings to the region's stringent seismic standards.
• Gain experience with new green technology not previously used.
• Provide educational opportunities for outside agencies, developers, public and
  staff.
• Use the project to advocate sustainable construction practises, regionally and
  nationally.

The new Hamilton and Sea Island Fire Halls are complete and the objectives have been
met. This project exemplifies energy awareness through design and construction that
other municipalities and the community at large have the potential to learn from.

2007 Surrey - Surrey Center Plan

The Surrey Central Transit Village Plan is envisaged as a Transit-Oriented Community, or TOD,
developed in the heart of Surrey Central. The Plan integrates both land use and transportation
strategies to create a vibrant downtown centre, fusing both a distinctive public space strategy of
high quality streets and the development of a major civic square or plaza.

The opportunity exists, specifically in Surrey Centre, for a new urban ‘heart' which includes
finely scaled grid of streets combined with an enhanced public realm, functioning within a broad
mix of urban uses, in a compact walkable and sustainable community. The Plan's
implementation will encourage residents, students, workers, and visitors to choose green modes
of transportation wherever possible.

2007 TNRD Solid Waste Management

In 2004 the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) embarked on a program to
develop and establish a new Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP). Public
consultation and involvement through the establishment of a Public Advisory Committee
(made of volunteers from the general public), a Technical Advisory Committee
(consisting of staff from member municipalities, waste management businesses and
Ministry of Environment representatives) and many public consultation meetings were
integral to the development of the plan.

Based on a 5-R strategy of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and residual
management this plan, which was developed with a holistic systems approach that
identified initiatives to be applied to the entire waste stream, was adopted by the TNRD
Board of Directors on June 14, 2007.

Implementation initiatives are now being developed. The TNRD recently received FCM
Letter of Intent funding approval for a feasibility study to explore and identify options to
handle relatively small volumes of municipal solid waste and recyclable materials from a
very large geographic area. Initiatives will be identified to reduce hauling inefficiencies
through a combination of utilizing technological solutions, such as installing compaction
equipment at transfer stations and/or on collection vehicles, reducing the number of
transfer stations and establishing recycling facilities at transfer stations. A five year goal
is a 30% reduction in the amount of landfilled solid waste. Projected is a 25 to 50%
reduction in transport distances and transportation fuel consumption.

2007 Ucluelet Sustainable Energy Policies

Although Ucluelet is a small community of only 1800 people, we believe our development
policies have made a difference in terms of creating sustainable energy consumption and
prevention of climate change through the use of policies within Ucluelet's Official Community
Plan. Although it is not uncommon to see sustainable policies in OCP's, we believe Ucluelet is
unique in terms of its ability to implement sustainable energy policies on abroad scale. Rather
than submitting one particular project, the District of Ucluelet would like to submit the following
sustainable energy initiatives which have been implemented as land use policy:

1. Mixed Use Zoning (Comprehensive Development)
2. Alternative Development Standards
3. Smart Growth initiatives
4. Density innovation
5. District Energy Audit
6. Implementation of LEED guidelines
7. GEM Car transportation
8. Wave power Initiative

2007 Vanderhoof Community Energy Plan

The District of Vanderhoof ‘Community Energy Plan' sets out a strategy in which all residents can participate and help our community reach ‘greener' goals, including, among others, energy efficiencies and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. If we all do our part, we can look forward to a ‘cleaner' energy future and a commitment to support a strong community in terms of energy conservation and efficiency now and for future generations."

2006 City of Vancouver -- GHG Action Plan

The City has launch multiple programs in support of these plans, and these programs already have begun to produce results. A few specific new actions include:

• Creation of a Neighbourhood Energy Utility for Southeast False Creek and the Sustainability Precinct, which would provide GHG-neutral heating and domestic hot water to over 10 million square feet of new development. This $16.5 million investment will provide a reasonable return on investment, and enables to City to evaluate other potential district energy options throughout the city.
• Launching of One Day, an open source community engagement program designed to help people take action to support their values of clean, green and healthy living.
• Comprehensive, multimillion-dollar retrofit program for City buildings, to reduce energy use and GHG emissions, and to produce a meaningful long-term return on investment.
• Establishment of a Climate Leaders Council, comprised of leaders from business and organisations in Vancouver, who support the City’s actions and are committing their own organisations to action, including several who have committed to becoming carbon neutral by set dates.
  

2006 City of Victoria -- 3 Applications

The City of Victoria submitted three separate applications for the 2006 Energy Aware Award.  Activities include a greenway, a biodiesel market transformation project, and the Dockside Green development.

City of Victoria received a 2006 Energy Aware Award Honourable Mention for the Dockside Green Development.

2006 District of Maple Ridge -- Fleet Vehicles

All in all, this program works towards meeting the municipality’s objective of contributing towards a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way. The purchase of the 12 hybrid electric vehicles will result in the following benefits:

• Carbon dioxide emission reductions are estimated at 24,000 kilograms per year or 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per vehicle replaced.
• Municipal fuel savings are estimated at $1,080 per vehicle for a total of nearly $13,000. Based on the foregoing, we expect to recover the cost of the additional outlay within 7 years

2006 Kamloops: LEED Sports Complexes

The 2006 Energy Aware Award from Kamloops features two LEED Silver sports complexes.

2006 Langford -- Westhills development plan

This development will help establish a new standard for sustainable neighbourhood development in Canada. The Master Plan calls for the 191 hectare (472 acre) property to be comprehensively developed in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards for neighbourhood development. Working with the Canada Green Buildings Council, this initiative will help establish the Canadian LEED Neighbourhood Development standard

2006 Nelson -- Wastewater Treatment Upgrade

In an ongoing commitment to protecting the environment the City of Nelson undertook to upgrade the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant to a secondary level of treatment from the existing primary level. The upgrading of the final effluent to the Kootenay River was a significant environmental benefit of the project but also of great importance was the energy saving decisions made throughout the design process.

2006 Port Alberni -- Upnit Power Corporation

The City of Port Alberni has partnered with the Hupacasath First Nation, the Ucluelet First Nation and Synex Energy to develop the Upnit Power Project. This project has all of the elements of energy awareness, Community Leadership, Cost Effectiveness and Best Practices.

2006 Surrey -- Building Retrofits

There is pressing competition for limited capital funding for existing building energy retrofit. Although funds are limited, we have already achieved repeatable annual GHG reductions of 838 Tons and energy reductions of 3,085,352 kWh (11,106 GJ) comprised of gas and electricity. Our ongoing program includes additional reductions of GHG and energy to bring the total reductions to 3,308 Tons and 12,375,156 kWh (44,457 GJ) in gas and electricity. Our simple payback is 5.2 years.

2006 Township of Langley -- LEED Civic Building

 

The Township of Langley’s new Civic Facility is a showcase of energy efficient infrastructure and practices. Completed in December 2005, the new Civic Facility is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building that retrofitted an existing and underutilized building shell to demonstrate and promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and numerous other environmental features.

The Township of Langley received an Honourable Mention for its civic facility at the 2006 Energy Aware Awards.

2005 Bownen Island -- Community Energy Plan

The Task Force approached the British Columbia Energy Aware Committee (EAC) to partner with them on the implementation of a “Community Energy Planning” (CEP) process. Although it would be rare for a small community of 3,000 people to undertake a CEP process, Bowen Island Municipal Council felt the project was important and approved a financial expenditure to support the process.

2005 Burnaby -- Municipal Buildings and Operations

 

Over the next decade, implementation of this $6.4 million program will guarantee to:

• reduce electricity use in City facilities by 15% (i.e. 3.7 million kilowatt hours),
• reduce natural gas use by 27% (i.e., 30,240 gigajoules);
• reduce annual water consumption by 20 million litres;
• save $500,000 in annual energy costs; and
• cut municipal greenhouse gas emissions by 27%.

2005 City of Vancouver -- GHG Action Plan

 

The Plan and its strategies are based in a solid understanding of how much energy is used for what purposes in the city. In identifying a municipality’s power and influence in community energy use, it provides all cities with a realistic and responsible roadmap to reduce energy usage.

2005 Energy Aware Award News Release

 

Check out the news release for background on the winner and the honourable mentions.

2005 Kamloops -- Center for Water Quality

 

The Centre has realized energy savings 43% better than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) and is being certified under the Canada Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The Centre has received numerous awards and has been featured in a number of publications, showcasing Kamloops’ leadership in sustainable planning.

2005 Multiple Organizations -- Central Valley Greenway

 

The following submission presents how TransLink/GVRD, the Cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Vancouver, and Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) have begun to address this short-coming by planning, designing and constructing a greenway suitable for zero emission commuters (cyclists, pedestrians and bladers) as part of Transport Canada’s Showcase Program for CO2 reduction demonstration projects at a total cost of $17 million dollars to all of the partners.

2005 Dawson Creek -- Municipal Energy Plan

 

The municipality of Dawson Creek has recently completed a baseline energy study for municipal operation as a first step in a larger process designed to identify, understand, and address energy issues throughout the community. In general, overall targets and specific solutions will be informed by rigorous analysis, and the municipality will be considering changes in operating practice, infrastructure, and policy as potential ways of addressing identified energy issues.

The City of Dawson Creek received an Honourable Mention at the 2005 Energy Aware Awards for this work.

2005 Winner: City of North Vancouver: Local Action Plan

In support of the commitment to energy efficiency and community sustainability, the City of North Vancouver has developed a Local Action Plan (LAP) for the Management of Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The plan will enable the City to better manage the impacts of urban development related to energy, greenhouse gases and air quality, while achieving broader community objectives related to affordable housing, transportation management, job creation and local economic development

2004 Winner: Revelstoke -- Biomass District Heat

The project has a number of benefits to Revelstoke:

• Financial rewards: 9 year simple payback, 6.7% return on investment and 14.8% return on equity - a non-taxable source of City revenue,
• It will displace ~45,000 GJ of non-renewable fossil fuel [Propane] and reduce GHG emissions by 3,700 tonnes annually,
• Plant emissions will meet/exceed provincial standards and therefore improve air quality.  There will be no fly ash from the plant,
• The Project has replication potential in other forestry dependent communities,
• The replacement of imported propane will generate local economic benefit,
• Value adding of wood residue - a renewable resource,
• table long term energy pricing for Downie and the CES customers with attendant improvement in competitiveness,
• Economic development potential with Downie able to access steam for veneering,
• Plant can be expanded incrementally and other biomass combustion techniques can be used to create other products.

2003 Winner: City of Whiterock -- Municipal Operations Center

The new operations building is a showcase of sustainable design.

2002 Winner: Delta & Vancouver for Landfill Gas

The Municipal / Private Landfill Gas Utilization Project provides an example of developing a unique approach to local governance in order to achieve community goals such as clean air and healthy cities in an environment of fiscal restraint.

This twenty–year green energy project involves a partnership between two local governments, The Corporation of Delta, and the City of Vancouver; and two private organizations, CanAgro Produce Limited and Maxim Power Corp. The project consists of beneficially utilizing landfill gas (LFG) from the City of Vancouver’s Vancouver Landfill in a co-generation application, for the purpose of generating electricity and heat. The electricity will be sold to B.C Hydro as “green” power and the heat will be utilized in the form of hot water by a South Delta greenhouse.

The project’s substantial commitment in infrastructure is financed by the private sector, while both municipalities will receive environmental, social and economic benefits from the co-generation proposal. Maxim Power Corp (“Maxim”) will provide the $8.5 million financing required for the 2.5 -kilometer pipelines and co-generation plant. In return for providing the LFG, the City of Vancouver will receive approximately $250,000 to $300,000 annually, while Delta will receive between $80,000 and $110,000 in new tax revenue. CanAgro Produce Limited will receive a secure low cost heating source from the co-generation plant located on its property. B.C. Hydro will purchase all of the electricity under its Green Energy Program, introduced in April 2001.

In addition to the generation of revenue, the project will result in replacing non-renewable fossil fuels with methane from LFG to heat CanAgro’s greenhouse. This will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by an estimated 30,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to taking the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority’s fleet of 1,100 diesel buses off the road for two months. Energy from the project is equivalent to providing the annual energy requirements to approximately 5,000 homes.

2000 Winner - The City of Coquitlam: Northeast Coquitlam OCP

 

The driving force to incorporate sustainability features into the development of the northeast sector of Coquitlam came from Council in the early 1990s. Over a period of time, both City staff and Council became increasingly interested in "doing something different" with a large parcel of land earmarked for intensive development with challenging features, such as steep terrain, abundant water features and a near-pristine environment.

The City undertook a series of studies to investigate the feasibility of various development strategies, all of which formed the background to the development of the winning Official Community Plan (OCP). Further studies are underway to finalize other high-level requirements for the site, such as master plans for integrated watershed management, alternative road standards, transportation plans etc. Neighbourhoods have been identified, and a phasing strategy for implementation of the plan is under consideration.

These studies will lay the foundation for the development of more detailed neighbourhood plans, initiated by landowners and following the policies defined in the OCP. Their preparation will involve an extensive stakeholder consultation process.

On July 31, 2000, Coquitlam Council made a formal commitment to building more sustainable and energy efficient communities with the adoption of the Northeast Coquitlam OCP. Over the next 20 years, this long range, comprehensive plan will guide development of a livable, transit oriented community of 24,000 people providing opportunities not only for the protection of the area's significant environmental assets but also for a diverse mix of housing types, commercial, retail, and community leisure services offering viable transportation choices for future residents.

The Northeast is a unique area within Coquitlam, and indeed, Greater Vancouver. From a regional planning perspective, the area is recognized as one of the largest rural and undeveloped portions of the region lying west of the Pitt River. As part of the region's Growth Concentration Area, the City, and Northeast Coquitlam in particular, contains a significant land base outside of identified protected and environmentally sensitive areas that can be contemplated for future urban development.

By recognizing both these planning challenges and opportunities, Council realized that an OCP for the area was an important tool to address growth management issues and supported a comprehensive planning process for the area. Along with extensive public involvement, this process included background technical reviews on environmental issues, terrain and watershed management, housing demand, transportation, land use, utility services, and financial feasibility.

At the heart of the planning process and the OCP are the following principles that embody the central elements of sustainability and community energy planning.

• Protect the area's natural features and environmentally sensitive areas;
• Promote efficient use of resources including land, energy and capital;
• Create a complete community in terms of population, housing types, land uses and services;
• Increase transportation choices;
• Address regional and local housing needs by providing a diverse mix of housing types and tenures; and
• Promote community and social well-being, including health and safety and access to safety services.

Linked to each principle was a set of practical strategies that were employed in developing, evaluating and selecting a preferred land use, transportation and servicing concept for the area. The plan operationalizes these principles through a set of comprehensive plan policies and implementation strategies.

Coquitlam Council recognized that land use and transportation planning, site planning, neighbourhood and building design can have profound effects on energy efficiency and energy-related air emissions. Major components of the development concept are consistent with the goals and objectives of encouraging more energy efficient neighbourhoods and buildings. These include:

• one walkable, village centre serving as a focal point for the area's employment, shopping, educational, recreational and social uses and for future direct transit service between Northeast Coquitlam and Coquitlam's Regional Town Centre;
• a mix of transit-supportive land use types and densities within the proposed village centre;
• a concentration of residential land uses within a ten minute walk of the village centre;
• an inter-connected transportation network and grid accommodating the need of cars, transit, bicycles and pedestrians;
• protection of areas of high environmental sensitivity;
• a network of active and passive parks and leisure opportunities

The proposed, intensely urbanized village area of the overall concept seeks to ensure that Northeast Coquitlam develops in a manner that is compact, transit-supportive and ultimately more sustainable and energy efficient. This area becomes the "heart" of a complete community within which amenities are clustered. A variety of residential types and densities within the area ensure that housing opportunities exist for a broad cross section of people in the community. Institutional, commercial, and retail uses, along with their associated range of employment opportunities, are easily accessible to residents.

In many respects, the development concept for Northeast Coquitlam represents a significant departure from conventional approaches to suburban community design. The basic composition of the community, for example, includes a much broader range of closely integrated land uses and more variety in housing types and densities.

To assist the planning process, a Geographic Information System-based evaluation model, INDEX, was used to evaluate potential land use options against a set specific liveability and resource efficiency indicators. These indicators were developed during the planning process, and were useful when evaluating each issue relative to the achievement of the six overall planning principles. Energy consumption, waste generation, capital, operating and maintenance costs of infrastructure, air pollution, auto dependency, housing mix and the proximity to and availability of key community services such as transit, shopping, parks and open space was measured for each land use option. This helped identify the "village concept" as the preferred land use option for Northeast Coquitlam.

For a benchmark comparison, the same indicators or measures were calculated for an existing City community that had developed in a more conventional pattern nearly 20 years ago. For nearly all indicators, the model demonstrated a marked improvement towards sustainability in the village concept over the conventionally planned subdivision.

Some key sustainability benefits of the proposed land use plan for Northeast Coquitlam over the more conventional suburban approach include:

• 30% lower infrastructure capital and operating costs
• 24% lower CO emissions
• 20% less land covered in streets
• 5% reduction in energy consumed for all purposes
• 93% improvement in solar orientation of streets
• 70% less travel distance to shopping
• 20% increase in household proximity to parks and open space
• 250% increase in the number of key community facilities and amenities
• 400% increase in local job opportunities.

The OCP includes specific policies outlining Council's support for planning, design and construction of energy efficient neighbourhoods and buildings along with several strategies related to land use and transportation planning, energy supply options, building design and site planning aimed at reducing energy consumption. Specific energy efficiency and conservation policies are listed below.

This plan provides an opportunity to work towards building a community that is more socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible and sustainable than typical post-war suburban communities. The planning framework contained within the OCP responds to the increasing recognition of significant economic, environmental and social costs associated with current growth management issues such as urban sprawl, traffic congestion, water and air pollution, loss of affordable housing, energy conservation, loss of open space and areas of high environmental sensitivity and the loss of social contact in communities. By taking the bold step of adopting this framework which is at the core of the new Northeast Coquitlam OCP, Coquitlam Council is committing itself to take an active role in working towards a more sustainable and energy efficient future.

City of Coquitlam Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policies

As reference guide for other BC communities, policies described in the Northeast Coquitlam OCP specifically aimed at ensuring energy efficiency and conservation are as follows:

Intent

• to encourage the planning , design and construction of energy efficient neighbourhoods and buildings;
• to encourage reductions in energy consumption and costs;
• to improve community liveability by reducing local sources of pollution by reducing the need for transportation (particularly single occupant vehicle use), reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of cleaner energy alternatives;
• to foster the development of new energy supply options

Policy: Strategies to encourage Energy Efficient Neighbourhoods

a) The City promotes the following strategies which support the planning, design and construction of energy efficient neighbourhoods and which are intended to guide implementation of this plan, particularly the development of neighbourhood plans.

i) Land Use Strategies

• Encourage a mix of land use and densities throughout neighbourhoods;
• establish dwelling unit and density targets for future neighbourhoods;
• Foster the development of mixed use, pedestrian oriented village centre;
• Promote a contiguous development pattern through staged development plans;
• Promote local employment sources;
• Direct higher density uses to arterials and future transit routes.

ii) Transportation Strategies

• Encourage a multi-modal street design which accommodates transit, bicycles, pedestrians and high occupancy vehicles. Important design features include:
  • narrower streets and traffic calming features;
  • street trees and landscaping which can provide shade and reduce heat absorption;
  • an inter connected street network;
  • bicycle lanes and signals;
  • bus lanes and transit amenities such as shelters.

• Develop a comprehensive parking plan to complement the overall development concept. The plan should address the following features which promote energy efficiency:
  • parking supply ratios which consider the availability of other travel options;
  • shared parking;
  • parking pricing to encourage transit and HOV use;
  • parking location and design which encourages transit use and pedestrian activity;
  • develop effective bicycle and pedestrian networks and supportive facilities and amenities;
  • encourage trip reduction measures such as vanpools and ridershare programs, employer trip reduction programs.

iii) Energy Supply Strategies

• Encourage ands examine the feasibility of district energy supply options in Northeast Coquitlam, particularly the village centre;
• Encourage the development of other alternative energy supply options;
• Encourage multi-use buildings to take advantage of waste heat utilization and opportunities for on site energy supply options.

iv) Building Design and Site Planning Strategies

• Encourage multi use buildings which can share energy needs;
• Encourage landscaping which can buffer buildings from wind and sun and help reduce heating and cooling needs;
• Locate streets and buildings so that solar access is preserved;
• Encourage building design and features (windows, colours) which reduce energy needs;
• Promote environmentally sound buildings;
• Encourage the use of local or recycled construction materials;
• Encourage the installation of water efficient appliances.

1999 Winner: The City of Surrey: East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan (Green Infrastructure)

 

In December 1998, the City of Surrey Department of Planning and Development entered into partnership with a number of stakeholders with the aim of demonstrating more sustainable community development standards "on the ground."

The East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan was the first and most important part a larger work known as the Headwaters Project. 

Developed by the City in conjunction with UBC's James Taylor Chair (Professor Patrick Condon), the Pacific Resources Centre, and a multi-constituent advisory committee, the East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan is the first time sustainability principles have been used as the basis for a sizable new suburban community. The East Clayton area includes over 560 acres of land and will eventually provide homes for over 13,000 people.

A key feature of the approach is to concentrate on the process of resolving competing sustainability imperatives as much as the outcome.

Through a series of design charrettes (workshops), various stakeholders worked together to ensure that each of their priorities are fairly accounted for and represented. Since final designs incorporate the values of all those partaking in the process, they are likely to be smarter and to be seen as inherently 'fairer' than conventional designs generated by a more limited range of people.

In previous work with Surrey City Council, the James Taylor Chair helped produce a list of seven design principles for sustainable communities. At the outset of the East Clayton project, Council agreed to support the application of these principles to the development's design. "Since this meant we had to make so many changes to the conventional development standards, we thought that a four-day, multi-stakeholder design charrette was the best way to go", says Condon.

The individuals at the design table were either vested with sufficient authority to negotiate new standards "on the fly," or they were delegated to represent larger constituencies (such as local landowners). The charrette structure guaranteed that the local landowners' interests were represented, and it enabled a group of local individuals to appreciate how the underlying principles and features of the East Clayton plan came together to form a highly mixed-use and sustainable community. Carefully developed and strictly enforced guidelines helped to facilitate the charrette process.

They are:

1. Build capacity for integration through shared awareness and determination to act jointly.

2. Involve early on (preferably at the beginning) those people, agencies, and organizations that can influence plan policy and development standards (including their implementation).

3. Share information equally.

4. Share resources across mandates for mutual gain. 

5. Build confidence in the process, in plan policies, and in alternative development standards.

6. Ensure the direct involvement of municipal staff.

7. Gain access to the necessary technical expertise. 

8. Deal with issues efficiently.

More than anything else, the East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan is a "green infrastructure" plan. East Clayton will be one of North America's most significant examples of an integrated system of green streets and affordable sites. Parks, playgrounds, and natural areas are essential and integral components of this system.  East Clayton has narrow streets, and roadways that throughout the site use one-third less blacktop than standard suburban sites. Storm water management will enable natural infiltration to occur, thereby minimizing runoff and avoiding detrimental downstream flooding events. Yard and street infiltration devices will eliminate nearly all downstream consequences of development. East Clayton also shows how a combination of efficiencies can dramatically decrease site infrastructure costs while also reducing dependence on the automobile.

The East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan benefits both the environment and the people who will live within it. This mixed-use plan means that, if they so choose, people can live, work, and play in the same community throughout their lives. Units will cost 20 to 30 per cent less than a standard home in the same area, and secondary suites will provide a mortgage aid for homeowners while providing good housing for lower income families. Jobs will be located close to homes, and home-based work opportunities will be provided in the region's first live/work area located outside of the centre city. Finally, a "Rapid Bus" will connect all residents to major employment, shopping, and cultural centers to the east and west.

The East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan offers a blueprint for sustainable development, and  is now influencing the development of "lighter, greener, cheaper, smarter, and complete communities" throughout the Northwest.

More information on the East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan is available from UBC's James Taylor Chair

1998 Winner: City of North Vancouver: Lower Lonsdale District Heating System Study

The City of North Vancouver was presented with the award for their proposed redevelopment of the Versatile Pacific lands.

In 1998 the City, in co-operation with Terasen and BC Hydro, funded a feasibility study for a district heating system to serve the Lower Lonsdale / Versatile Pacific site and the Central Lonsdale area. The study included a consideration of the use of ocean-source heat pumps, hydrogen and wood residues to provide renewable energy.

In a press release issued at the time, the Energy Aware Committee said that "this project provides an excellent example of a sustainable community providing a broad range of employment opportunities within walking distance; a bus transit hub; a passenger rail station; close proximity to skiing, hiking and other outdoor sports; as well as numerous restaurants and a movie theatre".

[picture availability?] Mayor Jack Loucks and some City of North Vancouver council members received the Energy Aware Award from Don Rankin, Terasen ' Manager for Municipal Relations and EAC member, during the annual convention.

The winning study explored the technical issues of a possible district heating system in some detail, and outlined a preliminary business case.

"As a technical planning tool, the study has remained robust," said Bill Susak, a City of North Vancouver planner in October 2000. "We're still working hard, though, on the nuts and bolts of the business case and implementation plan".

Since winning the award, the City has adopted a medium to long-term implementation strategy, which focuses on creating the conditions under which a district heating system can develop over time rather than embarking on a major 'big-bang' project. In the City-owned areas of Lower Lonsdale, new developments must now be built ready for connection to a future district heating system.

One of the most common barriers to urban sustainability is the way in which a large number of minor decisions made over long periods of time can collectively create an urban form and infrastructure that makes future energy efficient innovations uneconomic. To ensure the viability of a future district heating system, the City now requires that all new buildings in the district energy zone be constructed with an internal hydronic system, and prohibits the use of electrical heaters as the primary heating source. Each building must have an internal boiler that can be replaced when the district heating system is eventually constructed. By taking these simple steps now, the City is altering urban form and infrastructure at minimal cost and creating the conditions under which sustainable development can occur in the future.

The move is not without opposition. The City of North Vancouver Council rejected a representation by a developer who considered these conditions to be an overly onerous burden. The same developer subsequently abided by the novel requirements; importantly though, Council has demonstrated the will to stand by its commitment.

"Without a doubt, the capital cost for a building installed with a hydronic system is higher than one without," Susak frankly admits. "And with the current spike in natural gas prices, it's difficult to say how the total life cycle costs will compare to electrical heating. But the cost of natural gas relative to electricity should fall in the future, and then the case for district heating will become compelling again".

Susak and his colleagues spend much of their time trying to convince skeptical developers that conforming to the City's requirements for a district heating system is worthwhile. "Part of the problem is that all the costs fall to the developer whereas the future cost savings will fall to the buyer", says Susak.

To ease some of the difficulties involved with offering developers incentives to invest in the area, the City soon hopes to cement a strategic alliance with Terasen Services Inc., which has committed to provide, at no cost to the builder, a boiler for buildings that are designated to be part of the future district heating system.

This means that a convenient mechanism will exist for a builder to help create the 'captured' heating market without having to buy a significant component of a building's hydronic system. In addition, it means that both the central plant and the distribution system costs can be deferred to a future time when it makes optimal economic sense to invest in the components that tie the system together.