Complete Communities

Denser, compact communities are generally more liveable than sprawling suburban areas. Higher densities improve the viability of walking, biking, public transit, and other alternatives to the single occupant vehicle. They also tend to better support social and cultural centres.¹

Mixed-use development that brings together residential and commercial land uses allows people to live closer to work and amenities. Complete communities have a feeling of liveliness and energy about them. There are more people on the streets and greater opportunities for social interaction.

Victoria's Dockside Green development is meant to be a model complete community, with a mix of higher-density land uses, walking spaces,  and various public amenities - for example, a dock and boat launch, amphitheatre, sustainability centre, and access to the Galloping Goose cycling and walking trail.  For more information, see  http://www.docksidegreen.ca/.²

 

 

Notes:

(1)   Smart Growth BC (2001), The Smart Growth Toolkit, http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm?Group_ID=3383.

(2)   Dockside Green, Vancity, and Windmill (2006), Dockside Green Annual Sustainable Report, http://www.docksidegreen.ca/.

Better Health

Local air pollution is most harmful to the elderly, the young, and people with existing respiratory and cardiac problems. Improving air quality results in fewer deaths and hospital visits, lower health care costs, reduced losses in wages and productivity, and less personal trauma.

The British Columbia Provincial Health Officer reports that air pollution may account for up to 250 premature deaths, 2,700 emergency room visits, and 2,000 hospital admissions annually in BC.¹ According to a study for the BC Lung Association, a 10% improvement in fine particulate (PM_2.5) emissions in the Western Lower Fraser Valley alone could yield benefits in the order of $1.19 billion.²

Notes:

(1)   BC Provincial Health Officer (2003), Every Breath You Take...Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report 2003, http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/pho.

(2)   RWDI Air, Marbek Resource Consultants, UBC School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, and UBC Department of Health Care and Epidemiology (2005), Health and Air Quality 2005 - Phase 2: Valuation of Health Impacts from Air Quality in the Lower Fraser Valley Airshed: Final Report, http://www.bc.lung.ca/airquality/airquality_publications.html.

Greenways

Greenways are corridors that link parks, agricultural land, forested land, and other greenspace, allowing the movement of animals and people.¹ The establishment of greenways helps to preserve greenspace, shelter wildlife, and create recreational opportunities such as walking, hiking, biking, and roller-blading.

Greenways work best when they are included in the initial planning of a community. Retrofits into existing communities are more difficult because of land ownership, land use, and rights-of-way issues.

The Cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Vancouver are completing a Central Valley Greenway to support the growing network of greenways and urban trails throughout the GVRD.  The City of Victoria Greenways Plan provides a policy framework and a series of strategies to establish a Greenway system throughout the City over the next 50 years.  The Westhills project in the City of Langford has incorporated greenways, for ecological preservation and movement of wildlife.

 

Note:

(1)        Smart Growth BC (2001), The Smart Growth Toolkit, http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm?Group_ID=3383.

Improved Indoor Working Conditions

Green building design and energy-efficient technologies can significantly improve the comfort and aesthetics of work environments - including lighting, ventilation, temperature, and air quality. These improvements translate into fewer sick days, higher employee satisfaction and morale, increased productivity, and a better performance and public image for the employer.

According to a 2004 survey of the green building industry, greater occupant health and wellbeing and higher worker productivity ranked among the top three social benefits of green buildings that were cited by respondents.²

The US Green Building Council has reported that green office buildings can realize a 2-16% increase in productivity, and that a 1% productivity increase alone can yield savings larger than a facility's entire energy bill.²

 

 

Notes:

(2)   Turner Construction 2004 Green Building Survey, cited in R. Davies (ed.) (2005), Green Value: Green Buildings, Growing Assets, Published by the Royal Institute of Surveyors, http://www.rics.org/greenvalue.

(2)   US Green Building Council, Green Building 101 Presentation, and USGBC  (2002), Building Momentum: National Trends and Prospects for High-Performance Green Buildings, http://www.usgbc.org/.