Sustainable Urban Planning

What is Urban Planning?

Urban planning is the branch of architecture dealing with the design and organization of urban space and activities, including the physical arrangement of the cities and the condition they are in. Cities have employed planners to lay out their infrastructures for years and, like many professions, urban planning has developed over time to reflect the changes in our society and our planet.

Historically, urban planning was primarily concerned with the placement of certain things near other things (i.e. a waste treatment plant should be far away from an elementary school, but a park could be nearby). As the awareness of climate change has grown, and a general shift has been made to a more eco-friendly way of life, urban planning can now take sustainability to heart and begin building greenest cities from the ground up.

How can a city "Go Green"?

These days it’s hard to say exactly what makes a city “green”. As creativity and innovation thrive, new and better ways to live environmentally friendly are constantly being revealed. Any step in the right direction is a good one and, lucky for us, there are many ways for our cities to show their green sides.

Clearing the clutter

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled spread of urban development into neighboring areas; much like organizing your closet or defragmenting your computer, putting stuff where it belongs can greatly increase the available space you have by maximizing the space you use. Urban planning that reduces sprawl is considered green because it increases the density of city infrastructure and fits the same amount of “city” into a smaller area. Cutting back sprawl can positively impact a city’s sustainability in a number of ways:

Wildlife Refuges

When a city is compact, land that would have otherwise been used by sprawl is left in a more natural state. This provides opportunities for wildlife habitat and also acts as a reserve for native plant species. Available wildlife habitat keeps wildlife and humans both safer, and interactions to a minimum. The forests and vegetation that grow on this land will also act as a natural water filtration system and a carbon sink.

The city of Seattle, Washington comprises over 54,000 acres of land; of this, more than 6,000 acres is green space. The city’s Urban Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan lays out guidelines for managing land such that crucial wildlife habitat is left undisturbed. Land that is considered to be of particular importance for wildlife is acquired by the city to prevent its development, and green spaces are linked whenever possible.

Food Security

In addition to threatening natural ecosystems, urban sprawl threatens farmland. As the need for growth in the city centre pushes the city limits outwards, productive farmland is bought up and developed for other uses.  This increases a city’s dependence on food grown out of town or overseas.  When food isn’t grown locally, it requires large input of energy (usually in the form of fossil fuels) to transport it to where it will be consumed. 

To help protect farmland, the Town of Oliver, BC, collaborated with Land and Water BC to create the Wine Village and Kettle Valley Railway Plan. The plan conceptualizes a compact, pedestrian-friendly village with mostly multi-family dwellings. Surrounding the village is fertile wine country, agrotourism to which is marketed by the village in order to give agriculture in the area a boost and ensure continued production.

Fossil Fuel Use

It’s not just food that uses up fossil fuels to get around!  When a city begins to sprawl, opportunities to take alternate forms of transportation begin to diminish. People become reliant on their cars to get around, since walking, cycling, or public transit are often no longer viable options. Air quality suffers, as does the health of the individual who is now hopping in their car instead of hopping on their bike.

BedZED, short for Beddington Zero Energy Development, is a multi-use planned community in London, England.  It includes both residential and commercial spaces, and has been built to be carbon neutral.  Ideally, workers in the office space would live in the residential buildings and be able to walk neatly to work. 

Affordability

Another unfortunate, and probably less thought-of, effect of urban sprawl is its effect on our pocket book.  Whenever new housing developments or commercial properties are built, the infrastructures to support them need to follow.  Tax payers end up footing the bill for extra roads, sewers, water, and electric that wouldn’t be necessary in a more compact city layout. 

In Vancouver, BC, zoning bylaws were amended in 2009 to allow a secondary dwelling structure on many previously single-family lots. The secondary “laneway” house can be as large as 750 square feet, depending on the size of the lot. Laneway houses can be used as guest houses, as in-law suites, or as rental properties to increase the homeowner’s income. 94% of lots outside of Vancouver’s downtown core were affected by the zoning change. The potential for increasing residential without rebuilding is huge, and all without creating the need for new roads or sewers.

Where to start?

For the city that’s ready to make the first step, there are many resources available to help. British Columbia’s Ministry of Community Development has published an e-book, A Guide to Green Choices, aimed directly at communities looking to improve. The BC Climate Change Council offers Sustainability Facilitators and planners free of charge to local BC community governments.  Outside of BC, consultants such as PlanGreen will help communities establish policies and meet their environmental goals. 

What can I do?

There are lots of things you can do to help your community reach its green goals!

Contribute to infilling

Infilling is the process of increasing the density of a city by replacing or adding to existing developments. Infilling reduces urban sprawl and helps to prevent habitat loss and unnecessary infrastructure. You can help in a couple of ways:

• Consider a dwelling in a multi-family development, such as a condominium or a town-home.
• Give tiny houses a chance! In areas where lane-way houses are allowed, consider downsizing your life and living in a tiny house or a small house.  Seven hundred and fifty square feet may seem small, but a tiny house done right can pack a lot of house into a little space. Check out the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company to see floor layouts of dwellings under 900 square feet.

Make yourself more food-secure

Food security is a term that’s used when talking about how stable our food supply is. When food is shipped in from overseas, it is not a secure food system. Something like a fuel shortage or a political disagreement can disrupt shipment and leave us hungry. To help make yourself more food secure, try some of these ideas: 

• Support local farmers. Farmers markets are a great place to buy produce, and they’re a lot of fun, too. Supporting our local farmers ensures they are there when we need them.
• Grow your own food if it’s possible. Find a community garden, or dig a plot in your backyard. Even a container on your patio helps a little.  Looking for more space to grow or have space to spare? Maybe a yard-sharing program is for you. Yard sharing programs connect people who need space and people who have unused property. In Metro Vancouver, you can check out Sharing Backyards. 

Plan your commute

• Live as close to work as you can. If you can walk or cycle to work, you are not using any fossil fuels. You’ll find you also free up all sorts of time if your commute is suddenly cut in half.
• Use public transit if you can
• Is there an option for you to telecommute? Take it whenever possible, even if it’s only one day a week, every little bit helps.
• If you can’t manage without your car, carpool! If it’s an option for you, you could also consider vehicles that use alternate forms of energy, such as natural gas or electricity.     

Be part of the solution

Most importantly, get involved! It’s your community, make it into what you want it to be. Stakeholders of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, BC, together with municipal staff, created a document they called the Whistler Environmental Strategy (WES). While the Municipal Council didn’t endorse the project, the resulting document has still influenced the decision-making process within the municipality. Several areas of environmental concern outlined in the WES have been further investigated and included in budgets and plans. Your voice can only be heard if you say something.

Sources: Seattle.gov, Coach House Builders, Plan Green, CSCD, Infrastructure, Vancouver, Wallpapers, Tumbleweed Houses, Blogspot Image, Macleans, CSCD

Solar Power At Home – now easier than ever!

Photovoltaic solar power for your home used to consist of large, heavy objects that could be quite the eyesore on a front lawn or rooftop. People recognized the practical long-term benefits but didn't want their yards and roofs cluttered up with ugly, expensive solar arrays. Luckily, as technology improves, products decrease in size (and cost) while offering increased efficiency.

 

New Technology

 

New building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products from companies like Suntech and Canadian Solar offer photovoltaic modules to be integrated into the building's envelope – replacing traditional construction materials such as roof shingles, skylights and facades. Essentially, they make structural/aesthetic elements of  buildings double as power producers.  Imagine the possibilities for cities full of large buildings!

Declining Prices

Solar power systems for homes, whether building integrated or traditional, have been getting steadily cheaper over the last few years as the market floods with new technologies and eager manufacturers.  Coupled with government grants (and compared to rising fossil-fuel prices), it's becoming a better choice now than ever before to power your own home.  A study from March 2012 found that in Massachusetts, the average payback time for a solar installation has reached a stunning 4 years, and in Hawaii it is a comparable 5.4 years. Many other U.S. states dropped below the 10 year payback mark – often resulting from government funding programs. Considering this, and the additional value that photovoltaic capabilities can add to a home, they are beginning to look like a great investment for home owners, financially and environmentally.

For more information visit our detailed article on how you can have solar energy in your home!

Sources: Suntech, WBDG, Canadian Solar, PR Web, Infographic, Vancouver Sun, Inhabitat, Trend IR, Solar Power Home Ideas

The Green Passport Initiative: Changing the way we travel the globe

Why do people travel?

Early in the Neolithic age the ancient man began to build roads to facilitate the movement of troops through empires, and eventually civilians began to travel in caravans. Travel for the purpose of commerce and trade began to develop as a consequence and took explorers to new lands to meet other people and bring back treasures, foods, and fur. In Medieval times traveling received a religious connotation when the most famous travelers were pilgrims and missionaries, however, it took a long time for people to start perceiving travelling as a leisure activity.

In the late 16^th century it became fashionable among young aristocrats and rich people to make "Grand Tours" to London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome in order to enlighten themselves and  become closer to art, literature, and music.  The Industrial Revolution facilitated the growth of middle class, who now had money and free time. It was the first time that traveling was done for the sole pleasure of it.

Thomas Cook, whose name is given to popular travel guides, was the first to propose to the general public a real traveling solution. He began with organizing tours across Britain then quickly moved to Europe, where Paris and the Swiss Alps became the most popular destinations. He was a pioneer in travelling services and now all large travel organizations base themselves on his ideas: excursions, sightseeing, timetables, travel guides, and routes.

In the 20^th century, with the invention of the airplane, dramatic changes happened in the way people travel. According to the Smithsonian Institution and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the Wright Brothers made the first sustained, controlled  flight in North Carolina on December 17, 1903. Soon after, in June 16, 1909, Glenn Curtiss deliverd the Golden Flier, the first commercially-sold airplane in America. World War II only enhanced the usage of airplanes and made some of countries very experienced in airplane production. After the war, commercial aviation grew rapidly, using mostly ex-military aircraft to transport people and cargo.

The way we travel now

Much of our free time now is spent travelling, even on weekends, discovering new destinations and gaining new experience. Incredible opportunities are available to most individuals now; we can travel to different countries, even other continents in just several hours. It is estimated that approximately 4.5 million people travel by plane each day meaning that roughly within a year this figure reaches 1643 million people.  An amazing number! With the addition of railway, cars, buses, and other means of transports the scope of our movements is almost unimaginable.  

The increase in tourism worldwide is a trend that has enhanced the globalization process and culture-sharing. Many travelers speak of the personal gains they acquire through travel, returning to their homes more tolerant and open-minded. While this trend is surely interesting and exciting, it poses a large challenge for our planet.  The more we travel, the more traces we leave behind ourselves, and not all the time these traces are really good.

Exploration's carbon footprint

The rapid growth of air travel in recent years contributed to a significant increase in total pollution. In the European Union, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation increased by 87% between 1990 and 2006. Like all human activities involving burning, most forms of aviation release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) into the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the acceleration of global warming and (in the case of CO2) ocean acidification.

Achim Steiner, UN Under Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Tourism, the world's biggest industry is booming. By 2020, the number of international arrivals by air and by sea could reach 1.6 billion annually. This growth brings the prospect of income and economic development to countless tourist destinations in rich and poor countries alike. The challenge is to manage this growth sustainably. Governments have a key role to play, but so too do individuals and families when planning and going on holiday".

"Many consumers are now making green domestic choices from sourcing electricity from renewable sources and choosing eco-friendly investments up to buying leaner and greener cars. Packing a Green Passport along with airline tickets, the swimming costume and the sun lotion means tourists no longer need to leave their green credentials at home but can make them part of the holiday of a life-time," added Mr Steiner.

What is the Green Passport Campaign?

The Green Passport Campaign is an initiative of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, firmly rooted in the move to accelerate a global shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) that emerged from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg in 2002. “The Green Passport initiative, which to date has been introduced in Ecuador, Costa Rica, France's Overseas Territories, and South Africa where 100,000 Green Passports where distributed to visitors during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, provides a physical passport-style document packed with advice and tips on how to make a holiday more sustainable”.

Brazil recently joined the Green Passport initiative at  World Environment Day (WED) on June 1^st 2012 as the Government of Brazil and the UNEP committed on changing the behavior of travelers and  tourists within and outside the country. With thousands of people arriving in Rio for the Rio+20 Summit, followed by the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the summer Olympics in 2016, this initiative has come at a pivotal time for Brazil.

How the Green Passport can work for you

The Green Passport website launched in order to support this initiative. There, tourists can search for sustainably managed hotels, learn about the most environmentally-friendly form of travel, and discover restaurants that source sustainably-produced agricultural products and foods. Tourists will discover that traveling green is not as hard as they imagined on the opposite it can be a lot of fun.

Here you would find some of the reasonable tips that one can find on the green passport pages. Even a small change can make a difference and bring some positive changes in your life:

When organizing your trip, make sure your money is well spent by choosing tour   operators and hotel providers committed to sustainable tourism.  Always ask questions about  transport, accommodation, staff working conditions, waste treatment, and environmental  protection policy. Not only will you be aware of the issues, you will also make the tour operators more concerned of these questions.  Look for websites specializing in responsible traveling, ecotourism, or sustainable tourism (the Rainforest  Alliance’s Eco-Index can be very helpful in this area).

When packing, try to think carefully about what you really need to take with you. Waste disposal systems in many  countries are ill-equipped to deal with the increased pressures that tourism brings. A few simple measures can make an enormous difference to the effect you have on your destination. Where possible, remove the wrapping of packaged goods before you leave home, so that they are recycled at your own country.

Flying can be inexpensive but it is also the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. 'Slow Travel', similar to 'Slow Food', is a new trend evolving to encourage the use of more eco-friendly transportation services. For some, this is about spending more time at a destination, mingling with people, getting to know the local flora and fauna, taking long walks and exploring, instead of rushing from one glitzy tourist trap to another. It can also include choosing not to fly, taking the time to savor experiences and landscapes along the way.

If you fly, choose an airline that is committed to sustainable aviation. There are many ways that aircraft can reduce CO2 emissions, e.g. avoiding routes with stopovers (it is during takeoff and landing that the highest emissions occur). You can also help by staying longer once you’ve reached your destination.

Motorized travel is now the major source of pollution in the tourism sector: airplanes, 4X4 vehicles, coaches, and motorbikes are the most common means of transport. Some trips are particularly polluting. For instance, aircraft or helicopter flights over Kings Canyon in Australia sometimes last only a few minutes, but the noise generated and excessive fuel consumption have a devastating effect on the ecosystem. Conversely, a balloon flight over the MacDonnell Ranges, also in Australia, is an almost magical experience and is far more respectful of the environment. Be sure to research what you are planning and choose the best options for yourself and the planet.

When selecting your meals, try local food and specialties as often as possible. By eating locally produced and organic goods you will reduce the CO2 emissions from transport and pesticides as well as help local farmers and the local economy. Learn more about the impacts of your food choices by visiting sustainabletable.org.

Consider what you are bringing with you and leaving behind in different areas. Here are the average times needed for certain “standard” types of waste to disappear in most geographical areas: Sheet of paper: 2-4 weeksBanana skin: 3-5 weeksPhotographic film container: 20-30 yearsShoe sole: 50-100 yearsTin can: 80-100 yearsAluminum can: 200-400 yearsPlastic stopper: 450 years

Putting theory into action

If the passport guidelines introduce a new way of travelling that challenges your perceptions, shakes you out of your comfort zone, and inspires you to enrich your soul, then the Green Passport Initiative has reached its aim. As a greener traveller you will not only make a contribution to other people’s lives, you might just change your own.

Click here for your Green Passport!

You can download it on your Smartphone or print it out; it will always be there for you whenever you go decide to go travelling. 

Dare to change and don’t be shy to take this new green attitude with you to the most beautiful, interesting, and charming destinations!

UNEP, Matador Network, Air and Space, Wright Brothers, Plane Travel, Lost Tribes, Pioneer Travel, TreeHugger, 21st Century Food, The Alberta Altruist

The Story of Change

The Story of Stuff Project has come out with their latest video, The Story of Change, illustrating how "going green" is just the first step in changing our world. The video puts into simple words and images exactly what we need to do to take control of our society and take care of our planet, using stories of change from the past to show just how possible it is.

The Story of Change

The Story of Stuff

The Story of Electronics

About The Story of Stuff:

When Annie Leonard and her friends at Free Range Studios set out in 2007 to share what she’d learned about the way we make, use and throw away Stuff, they thought 50,000 views would be a good result for her ‘20-minute cartoon about trash.’ Today, with over 15 million views and counting, The Story of Stuff is one of the most watched environmental-themed online movies of all time.

Annie founded the non-profit Story of Stuff Project in 2008 to respond to tens of thousands of viewer requests for more information and ways to get involved. We create short, easily shareable online movies that explore some of the key features of our relationship with Stuff—including how we can make things better; we provide high quality educational resources and programs to everyone from teachers and people of faith to business and community leaders; and we support the learning and action of the over 350,000 members of the Story of Stuff community.

Bixi Bikes Coming to Vancouver

We're thrilled to see progression in the plan to introduce Bixi bikes to Vancouver as the Velo-City Conference was attended late last month: 

Bike share is coming to Vancouver, and we must make it work

The international Velo-City conference is underway in Vancouver as of Tuesday morning and I arrived in time to hear an inspired talk by urban cycling advocate Gil Penalosa. Judging by the Twitter activity throughout the morning, Penalosa's message excited the full house in attendance at the Wall Centre. While Penalosa's full presentation — available here — is fast-paced and rich with detail, it was nicely summed up by an Australian delegate named Stephen Yarwood.

Given the way the Vision council have married themselves to the cycling issue, it was perhaps predictable that the site of the Velo-City conference felt like an offsite City Hall. Mayor Gregor hung around to do interviews while his chief of staff parked himself in front of the venue most of the morning. Even Penny Ballem paced around the site. The always affable Jerry Dobrovolny, Vancouver's Director of Transportation listened intently to Penalosa's speech, which he quipped might put him out of a job. Penalosa's message was to be bold, to be fearless in the face of public opposition, and to make cities as safe as possible for cycling with many miles worth of separated bike lanes. Vancouver, said Penalosa, has not been nearly bold enough when compared to cities like Chicago.The real star of the show that morning, however, were the over 600 Bixi bikes shipped in for the conference and parked in front of the Wall Centre convention facility. Bixi is the Montreal-based bike share manufacturer that will be providing the two-wheeled transport for Vancouver's bike share program. The operator for the Vancouver bike share will be the Alta company based out of Portland, Oregon.

I had the pleasure of having my first bike share experience, after I signed an insurance waiver and gave conference organizers a stamp of my credit card. To get access to a bike I simply inserted the card provided by Velo-City, waited a few seconds for the light to turn from red to green, and pulled the bike out while slightly lifting the rear of the bike from the seat. With my complementary Lazer bike helmet strapped on I took a short ride downtown. 

The Bixi bikes are beautiful machines. They are definitely more sturdy than your typical hybrid or road bike, and sport wide tires with a street-friendly tread. The seat is wide and comfy, something many casual riders prefer. 

The seat post – which I got a blurry image of – is easily adjustable, and thankfully you're not able to easily slide the seat and post right off the bike. That would be a big target of theft otherwise. 

My demo bike was a three-speed but the bikes on order for Vancouver's bike share will be a seven-speed bike to better manage our city's hilly terrain. The gear changer is located in the right half of the handlebar, and the left side has a small bell you can ring with your thumb when needed. There is a small amount of space over the handlebars to locate a small basket if necessary. 

The brakes are built into the wheel hubs, and while you're riding enough power is generated to run safety lights embedded into the frame of the bike, improving your visibility in traffic. Overall it's a solid and comfortable ride, but the slightly heavy frame had my quadriceps burning up a few hills. For all my Bixi bike images see this Flickr set... Read the full story at City Caucus

Bicycle sharing programs have been active in many cities throughout the globe, much like car-shares and other eco-transportation services that are new to Vancouver. As part of Vancouver's Greenest City Action Plan we are expecting to see a significant increase in bicycle transportation services and improvements. The increase in bikes and bike lanes pose a natural deterrent to motor vehicles as those that are inclined to choose cleaner modes of transportation can with ease, and those that prefer to utilize motor vehicles may chose to go elsewhere. The city's green transportation initiatives focus on walking, cycling, transit, and greenways. By designing streets with pedestrian priority, expanding the bicycle network, improving public transit, and increasing public green space, one can imagine a healthier, greener city in the future. Bixi is expected to be active in Vancouver by 2013.


Watch here to learn more about Velo-city Vancouver:

Sources: City Caucus, Bixi, Vancouver Greenest City, Velo-city, Vancity Buzz, UBC Transportation

Troc-Exchange: A Vancouver Bartering System To Reduce Waste

Inspired by an exchange in Europe, Christine and Yvan Saché developed Troc-Exchange.com, a values-driven Craigslist-style website in Vancouver that returns revenue to charities that create environmental changes. The program targets two significant areas of impact: to reduce excess waste and support environmental improvement.

Collaborative consumption is a worldwide trend that TIME Magazine has named as one of the 10 Ideas That Will Change The World. Programs such as Zip Car are popping up all over the world as individuals support this idea. Sharing and trading goods are simple ways to get rid of things you no longer use and acquire things you want without having to add to the products on the planet. Through this type of exchange we can reduce waste and protect our environment.

Bartering is the core of the Troc-Exchange concept. The website's platform is designed to encourage the exchange of goods and services but also provides alternative options to donate or purchase. Individuals can post ads for free and participate in clothing swaps to allow people to see a variety of items at once and make exchanges in person.

Their largest clothing swap was on April 21st at the Projecting Change Film Festival where 100% of the proceeds went to Surfrider Vancouver to help beach clean up on Earth Day. We encourage you to contact them for more information on upcoming swaps and let them know your level of interest so these events can grow.

In addition to fighting waste, the vision of Troc-Exchange.com is to raise funds for associations and foundations of volunteers that are working for the well-being of the planet. The company is funded by sponsors and 50% of their revenue goes to environmental organizations which include groups in Vancouver and worldwide. Their Vancouver chapter is also 100% volunteer run.

The team at Troc-Exchange believes when you participate in this system your are defending the environment for today and for our children tomorrow.

Learn more at Troc-Exchange.com - About

Swap Day with Troc-Exchange

V-Poles: The Future of Vancouver

Vancouver's city planners are taking a page from the imagination of one of the city's most celebrated writers. Douglas Coupland's V-Poles are conceptual multipurpose poles of 12 feet or higher, that are equipped to bolster cellular and wi-fi infrastructure, power electric cars wirelessly, process parking transactions and display information via an LED display. The V-Pole (V standing for Vancouver) is an efficient solution to urban utility clutter, and, according to Mayor Gregor Robertson will enable “new generation communications, data and zero emission transportation.”

Coupland hopes that these multipurpose poles will eventually replace inefficient old infrastructure, reducing the need for multiple utility poles cluttering neighbourhoods. The poles will also be a statement attesting to Vancouver's readiness to transition from fossil fuel automobiles to efficient electric vehicles.

The technology for these does not yet exist, however, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has approved a Telus proposal to build three monopoles in the West End. A monopole is similar in concept to Coupland's V-Pole. They are integrate wireless improvements with electric car charging, but lack the wifi, parking and signage features of the full V-pole. Coupland himself seems a little bit disappointed by the monopoles, likening them to giant lint rollers over his twitter. Vancouver city council has passed a motion to seek out pilot projects to develop full V-poles, so we can hope to see the full technology in the next few years.

 

Check out these articles to learn more about how electric cars are driving Vancouver's green future:

Inside Vancouver: Electric Car Capital of Canada

Georgia Straight: Electric Vehicles in Vancouver

Sources: Open File, V-Pole.com, The Globe and Mail, Inside Vancouver, Georgia Straight