Conclusions
Three industry leaders, three quite different visions of the path to sustainability. Kalke's need for independence from "bureaucratic organizations" has lead him to target private end-users with the willingness and means to pay a premium for an innovative, quality product. Geller, although clearly mindful of the need to maximize the value of his development, is more comfortable sharing the responsibilities and burdens of environmental innovation with public institutions, and therefore has a different range freedom within which to experiment. Meanwhile, Rennie's impulse to maximize the size of a viable "demographic", either by lobbying municipalities for financial breaks or by searching for ways of marketing sustainability "baby steps" to more mainstream consumers, contrasts with the developers' strategy of building essentially niche products to push the envelope and serve as templates for subsequent developers.
Ideas for developers
Be aware that there is a whole spectrum of ways in which you can become involved in 'sustainable developments', from premium cutting edge, state of the art showcases to simply promoting mandated environmental features in such a way that you may stimulate market interest in more advanced options;
Develop a risk management strategy to help reduce risks related to high capital costs or uncertain markets;
Think about marketing partners -- who else has an interest in your idea? eg utilities, municipalities, equipment manufacturers, local or federal organizations, energy service companies?
Be aware of the power of precedent in shaping a market -- market demand can be created as well as responded to. Be alert to increased consumer demand and awareness in the wake of local sustainable developments;
Try to nurture a good working relationship with a sympathetic municipal planning department and/or local politicians; be prepared to explain the community benefits of your proposal when asking for flexibility on engineering design standards, and refer to other alternative design standards eg East Clayton [link] to back up your case.
If possible, 'shop around' various municipalities for the best incentives to design according to sustainable principles; be proactive in selling your ideas to potential influential champions;
Ideas for municipalities
Help create the context for sustainable developments -- ensure you have a long term planning vision for sustainable urban growth;
Encourage public debate about the future of your city or district -- what kind of place do people want to live in?
Provide incentives to attract the kinds of developments and the developers you prefer;
Be open-minded about required engineering design standards with developers interested in "pushing the sustainability envelope";
On the other side of the coin, be prepared to set minimum performance standards (or, where unavoidable, mandate specific practices) where this will level and/or raise the playing field;
Mandate specific practices only when there is clear public support (e.g., recycling) or proven technology
Avoid pushing developers into specific practices that may have uncertain associated risks -- carrots are usually better than sticks;
Allow the market to determine winners and losers where possible -- for example, set performance goals that invite innovation and creativity in their implementation.
Work with external partners such as the Community Energy Association or Federation of Canadian Municipalities to explore some of the wider issues surrounding sustainable buildings.
Facilitate partnerships between developers and parties who could minimize the risk of innovative development.
Ideas for UCBM, provincial government or NGOs
Facilitate multi-stakeholder forums to explore alternative development standards and other general issues raised here;
Act as a neutral information resource for all parties, including developers, municipalities and the public;
Facilitate partnerships between developers and parties who could minimize the risk of innovative development
