SUSTAINABLE URBAN LANDSCAPES Site Design Manual for BC Communities Copyright © 2003
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means without per- mission in writing from the authors.
Published by the University of British Columbia James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments Patrick Condon, Chair www.sustainable-communities.agsci.ubc.ca
Written by Patrick Condon, Joanne Proft, Jackie Teed and Sara Muir Graphic concept by Angela Gonyea Research and production assistance by Katherine Isaac, Chris Midgley, Sherry LaRue, Peter Williams, Justen Harcourt, and Geoff England Copy edited by John Ingram and Joanne Richardson Cover Illustration by Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. Cover Printing by 3S Printers Revisions for Version 1.5 by Shana Johnstone and Dolores Altin
Based on research and design resulting from the Headwaters Project, the Southeast False Creek design charrette, the Burnaby Mountain Community design charrette, and the Riverwalk on the Coquitlam consultant team charrette.
Condon, Patrick M. Sustainable urban landscapes: site design manual for British Columbia communities
Includes bibliographical references.
Copywrite UBC James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments. Graphics and text may be used in other documents so long as they are unaltered and attributed. All other uses constitute a violation of copywrite law. SUSTAINABLE URBAN LANDSCAPES Site Design Manual for BC Communities
Version 1.5 August 2003
Financial support for this publication was generously provided by:
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Ministry of Water, Land, Air Protection Women’s Services
Environment Fisheries and Oceans Pêches et Ocèans Canada Canada Canada
Affordability and Choice Today Program Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
CONTENTS
6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
7 PREFACE
PART ONE 8 SETTING A CONTEXT
8 Introduction 10 Water 12 Air 14 People 16 Policy and Planning 24 Charrettes: A Process for Integration
26 Southeast False Creek 32 Burnaby Mountain Community 38 Riverwalk on the Coquitlam 42 East Clayton
PART TWO 50 A DESIGN METHOD
50 Taxonomy of Urban Sites
54 Charrette Strategies
55 District A - D 61 Corridor E - H 67 Block I - K 73 Parcel L - O
PART THREE 78 A DESIGN APPROACH 80 Six Guiding Principles
86 Design Guidelines
87 District 1 - 14 103 Corridor 15 - 26 117 Block 27 - 32 127 Parcel 33 - 43
CONCLUSION 140
APPENDIX 143 SUSTAINABILITY CHECKLIST
REFERENCES 150 Site Design for BC Communities 6 Land Use Plan. interests, andtheir incorporationintothe ciples acrossa wide rangeofstakeholder the sevensustainable planningprin agencies wascrucialtotheacceptance of involvement oftheseindividuals and intensive four-daycharretteevent. The draft EastClaytonLandUsePlan inan mentation charrette,whoproduced the participants oftheEastClayton imple Planning Ltd. ners Ltd.;andHelmutUrhanTerra Architects Ltd.;ReidCrowtherandPart Resource CentreLtd.;RamsayWorden ning, ParksandEngineeringStaff;Pacific members include:CityofSurreyPlan Neighbourhood ConceptPlan.Team reality bydevelopingtheEastClayton ideas oftheHeadwatersProjectinto expertise inbringingtheconceptsand waters ProjectTeamforitseffortsand We wouldalsoliketothanktheHead Councillor JudyVilleneuve. Kim Stephens,andMarielouVerge Yin Leung,KelvinNeufeld,MarkSalerno, ert Hicks,VinceLaLonde,PaulLee,How trand, MelodyFarrell,SophieKing,Rob Karlsen (Chair),ScottBaldwin,RonBer and leadership.WeespeciallythankErik acknowledged foritsstrongdirection Advisory Committee,*whichisgratefully organizations formedtheHeadwaters atives fromeachofthesepartnering Vancouver RegionalDistrict.Represent Fisheries andFood;theGreater Services; theMinistryofAgriculture, Community, AboriginalandWomen’s (Agriculture Canada);theMinistryof the AgricultureInvestmentFoundation Affordability andChoiceTodayProgram; Federation ofCanadianMunicipalities gage andHousingCorporation;the Ecosystem Initiative;theCanadaMort Environment Canada;theGeorgiaBasin lumbia; FisheriesandOceansCanada; Real EstateFoundationofBritishCo support. Thesepartnersinclude:the viding generousfundingandadvisory Headwaters ProjectPartnersforpro Special acknowledgementisgiventothe manual wouldnothavebeenpossible. dedication, andvaluabletimethis leading uptoit.Withouttheirvision, opment ofthismanualandallinitiatives W Finally, wewouldliketothank have participatedinthedevel e acknowledgeallthosewho ------the SoutheastFalseCreek,Burnaby of thePolicyandPlanningsection of themanual.Shewasprimaryauthor ordinated thedevelopmentofallparts Joanne Proftwasprojectleadandco partment ofPlanningandDevelopment. Committee andtheCityofSurrey’sDe the guidanceofHeadwatersAdvisory members of the James Taylor Chair under spirit ofcollaborationandteamworkby This designmanualwasproducedina Authorship (Tera Planning) Environmental Consultant:HelmutUrhahn ford (PacificResourcesCentreLtd.) Facilitators: JohnBlakneyandJenniferCraw Environments) James TaylorChairinLandscapeandLiveable (Moriarty/Condon Ltd.);PatrickCondon(UBC say WordenArchitectsLtd.);StacyMoriarty Designers: BobWorden,DougRamsay(Ram bura, JaneFarquarson(EarthTechCanada) Engineering Consultants:SuduVatagotagom struction) Developer: JohnTurner(ProgressiveCon mittee) Amar Bains,ElsaWatts(CitizenAdvisoryCom East ClaytonCommunity:NormanAlexander, BC Hydro:AllanGrant Chilibeck Department ofFisheriesandOceans:Barry McKinnon andDaleHadden(Operations) ation andCulture);JohnStrandt(Fire);Gerry (Engineering); JeanLamontagne(Parks,Recre en, FranciscoMolina(Planning);EricEmery City ofSurrey:HowYinLeung,WendyWhel clude: Clayton ImplementationCharrettein ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS research assistantsKatherine Isaac,Chris the book.Additional thanksaregivento many ofthediagrams foundthroughout illustrations as well asforproducing graphic languageembodiedin thebook creativity inestablishingmuch ofthe Angela Gonyeaisacknowledged forher her assistanceonthedesignguidelines. Air, WaterandPeoplesections, andfor work inproducingtheIntroduction, Sara Muirisrecognizedforhercareful distilled themintotheircoherentformat. Part Twointothedesignguidelinesand the charrettecasestudystrategiesfrom Part Three.Jackie“reverseengineered” ative workonthedesignguidelinesin Riverwalk casestudyandforhercre recognized forhercontributionstothe ton charrettecasestudies.JackieTeedis Mountain Community,andEastClay Members oftheHeadwaters/East ------such astheEastClayton/Headwatersproject, supporting innovative sustainability pilot projects standards innewcommunities.Inadditionto low impactdevelopmentprinciplesanddesign support thedevelopmentandapplicationof *Government resourcemanagementagencies by theprojectteam. reviewed andeditedalldraftsproduced graphic languageoftheproject.Healso lishing thegoals,objectives,scope,and Patrick Condontookleadershipinestab Mackenzie andShanaJohnstone.Finally, Tzur, MichaelEnns,DoloresAltin,Myles Justen Harcourt,GeoffEngland,Ivy Midgley, SherryLaRue,PeterWilliams, proposals resultingfromthedesigncharrettes. or sustainabilityofanysubsequentdevelopment document innowaycondonestheacceptability lessons learnedfromeach.Theirinclusioninthis types ofcharrettedesignprocessesandoutlining ed strictlyforthepurposeofillustratingdifferent presented inPartOne.Thesestudiesareprovid ing roleswithrespecttothefourcasestudies many oftheseagenciesalsohavedecision-mak
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- - Foreword 7 Site Design for BC Communities 6 and variousgovernment andrelated of Surrey,theUBC JamesTaylorChair, previous partnerships betweentheCity These sevenprinciplesevolved through persons inthemunicipalityof Surrey. developing anewcommunity for13,000 used sevenprinciplesasthebasis for throughout BritishColumbia. TheNCP designing moresustainablecommunities ton NCPwasconceivedasatemplatefor (between 1999and2001),theEastClay over thecourseoftwoandahalfyears for Surrey,BritishColumbia.Developed Neighbourhood ConceptPlan(NCP) Headwaters ProjectistheEastClayton and mostimportantcomponentofthe Lower Mainlandandbeyond.Thefirst sustainable communitiesbothwithinthe initiative todevelopamodelformore Headwaters Project,amulti-agency The genesisofthismanualwasthe The HeadwatersProject neighbourhoods arebuilt. tant shiftinthewayournewandrevived come togethertoimplementanimpor citizens andpublicinterestgroups,have jurisdictions, alongwithconcerned happen. Provincial,federal,andregional of thisneedforchangeandaremakingit Government andcitizensarecognizant revived practicesareallthatrequired. things. Certainnewand,insomecases, future andthatarehealthyforallliving regions thatcanbemaintainedinthe urban regions. of moresustainablecommunitiesand crucial ingredientsinthedevelopment integrated processesandprinciplesare been motivatedbyasharedbeliefthat and relatedagencies,theseeffortshave of citizens,governmentorganizations, British Columbia.Withthecooperation the retrofitofexisting)communitiesin standards forthedesignofnew(and ternative developmentandengineering cent andextensiveeffortstodevelopal T Communitiesisrootedinseveralre he It iswithinourreachtocreate Site DesignManual forBC
- - - - PREFACE achieving thisgoal. es. Thismanualisanimportantstepin confronting similarissuesandchalleng to provideatemplateforcommunities Clayton NeighbourhoodConceptPlan processes, andoutcomesofthe Project wastodocumenttheprinciples, assets. maintain ourpreciousenvironmental metropolitan regionsandprotect tion formeetingourneedtodensify the HeadwatersProjectoffersonesolu ments ofalargerwhole.Inthisrespect, mutually supportiveandsymbioticele and guidelinesaretobeunderstoodas Plan’s individualperformancestandards on neighbourhoodwalkability.The dency whilehavingapositiveinfluence expected toreduceautomobiledepen integration, andstreetconnectivityare site. Similarly,issuesofdensity,land-use impervious surfaceareasthroughoutthe of thestreetnetworkandreductionsin function –dependsupontheintegration – whichisintendedtosecureecosystem posed ecologicalinfrastructuresystem example, theeffectivenessofpro holistically totheEastClaytonsite.For of strategiesthatweretobeapplied were conceivedasanintegratedset and development.Itscomponentparts from statusquostandardsofplanning derived, representasignificantdeparture as welltheprocessbywhichitwas agencies. TheplanforEastClayton, An importantgoaloftheHeadwaters East -
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- Foreword 7 Site Design for BC Communities 8 in buildingthisunderstanding. them. Thismanual isintendedtoassist leaders canactintelligentlytoprotect whole beforecitizensandtheirelected seen andunderstoodasanintegrated and people–onthelandmustfirst be The interconnectedsystemsofwater, air live onadramaticbutlimitedlandbase. erations toenjoythesesamebenefits. preserving opportunitiesforfuturegen affordable homesforcitizens,whilealso all communities,andprovidingquality of servicesandinfrastructureamong living things,ensuringafairdistribution healthy habitatforhumansandother quality oflife.Itmeansensuringa enhance naturalfunctionandhuman existing ones)torespectandpotentially transformed landscapes(andretrofitting prise them.Thismeansdesigningnewly upon thehealthofsitesthatcom and allofBC’sregionsisdependent region. ThehealthoftheGeorgiaBasin, grated designoflandthroughoutthe and wateristhroughamoreinte conflicts betweenpeople,air, the redressing start to way important streams. of fishinour drop inthepopulations pay forthem,andadramatic of homesandtheabilitycitizensto income, arisinggapbetweenthecost transportation asapercentageoffamily ter pollution,increasedexpenditureon a dramaticriseinthelevelofairandwa bioregion’s naturalsystems,resultingin over recentdecadeshasstressedthe for morethan10,000years. that havesupportedhumansettlement diversity ofecologicalsystems– on itsnorthandeast.Itishometoarich west, andtheCoastCascaderanges couver Islandrangesonitssouthand dramatic peaksoftheOlympicandVan coastal bioregionisshapedbythe ronmentally sensitivebioregions.The Columbia’s manyuniqueandenvi The GeorgiaBasinisoneofBritish WATER, AIR,PEOPLE,LAND
As theimageabovemakesclear,we One very Unprecedented urbangrowth - - -
- - People -
Water Land
Air Part One – Introduction – One Part 9 Site Design for BC Communities 8 integrated”; that is,whentransportation have arisenwhen issueshavebeen“dis- do thisinorder toavoidproblemsthat the urbandesignpuzzletogether. We manual triestokeepallofthe piecesof exclusive totheirintendedaudience, this sented separatelyandoftenin language tion, anddrainageguidelines arepre site development,environmental protec neering manualswhosetreatmentsof Unlike traditionaldesignandengi and buildnewhomescommunities. regulators, NGOs,andthosewhoplan citizens, electedofficials,government terested inmakingbettercommunities: This manual is intended for people in Who IsThisManualFor? our lives. standard ofliving,andforthequality the purityofourwaterandair,for pattern hasfar-reachingimplicationsfor is alsoclearthatthereplicationofthis at increasingregionalsustainability.It at oddswithprovincialpoliciesaimed dard post-wardevelopmentpatternsare developments). Itisnowclearthatstan the inhabitantsofpre-SecondWorldWar gases (ascomparedtothatproducedby the percapitaproductionofgreenhouse for succeedinggenerations,anddoubled than itshould,increasedthetaxburden cious land,costourfamiliesmoremoney trolled suburbansprawlhaswastedpre needs changing.Itisclearthatuncon ing demands,itdidsoatacostandnow pattern successfullymetpost-warhous services. Althoughthetypicalsuburban car-oriented districtsfarfromjobsand large-lot, single-familyhomeslocatedin quo” suburbandevelopmentpatternof munities endlesslyreplicatethe“status to work. homes, water,roads,shops,andplaces with itunprecedenteddemandfornew million. Thisrapidgrowthhasbrought to growfrom3.9millionbeyond4.7 population ofourprovinceisexpected per year.Overthenexttenyears, an averageofabout65,000persons Columbia’s populationexpandedby challenge. Overthepastdecade,British M To meetthisdemand,manycom Columbia hasbecomeanincreasing anaging urbangrowthinBritish ------
Setting aContext PART ONE categorized according totheTaxonomy each ofthecharrettes inPartOneare The designideas thatemergedfrom – cost social infrastructure,movement, and sustainability – Taxonomy isinformedbyfour tenetsof that makeasustainablecommunity. The communicating, the various components the meansforfirstorganizing,andthen onomy ofUrbanSites four charrettes,wedevelopeda scores ofdesignideasemergingfromthe (featured inPartThree).Incullingthe for developingtheDesignGuidelines sustainability. regulatory frameworksthatsupported guided byveryspecificinstitutionaland ect used the charrette differently, all were sustainable localpolicy.Whileeachproj gaps thatimpedetheadoptionofmore the institutionalbarriersandregulatory ticularly effectivemodelforovercoming design charrettebecauseitisonepar development principles.Wefeaturethe community accordingtosustainable rette wasusedtovisionandplananew Lower Mainlandwhereadesignchar with adiscussionoffourprojectsinthe within BritishColumbia.PartOneends legislative contextforsustainability overview oftheemergingpolicyand and people.Thisisfollowedbyabrief of ourregionallandscapes:water,air, effects ontheinterrelatedcomponents rent developmenttrendsandtheir Part Onebeginswithareviewofcur Organization developed andorganizedthismanual. maintain thisbalanceinthewaywehave economy, andequity.Wehavetriedto community isonethatbalancesecology, As manyofusnowknow,asustainable pieces ofthesustainableurbanregion. reference toeconomics. standards havebeendiscussedwithout and whenengineeringsubdivision reference tostreamhabitatprotection; engineering hasbeendiscussedwithout erence toland-use;whenstormdrainage planning hasbeendiscussedwithoutref district, corridor,block,and parcel Part Twodocumentsthemethodology This manual“re-integrates”these – andbyfourscalesofurban design green infrastructure, , whichbecame Tax - - - -
.
- - ridor, block, and parcel.situation atthescalesof the district, cor adapting toeachdistinctsitetypeand but ratherasamenuofoptionsfor as fixed,prescriptivesetsofinstructions, the DesignGuidelinesarenotpresented between ecologicalandurbansystems, to achievethehighestdegreeofbalance is importanttoemphasizethatinorder Principles, arethe and organizedunderSixOverarching ing, sorting,andreverseengineering, designed. for rethinkinghowourcommunitiesare and defensible“firstset”ofprinciples them. Together,theyconstituteavalid opment andresearchthatpreceded Strategies andtheyearsofpolicydevel reverse engineeredfromthecharrette in PartThree.ThesePrincipleswere sustainable communitydesign,outlined basis for Taxonomy providethemethodological in theformof munities. affordable, andecologicallysoundcom collective progresstowardmoreliveable, and actionframeworkforcontinuingour The manualconcludeswitharesearch Flowing fromthisprocessofsift Together, thecharretteStrategiesand Six OverarchingPrinciples Strategies Design Guidelines . - of - . It -
- Part One – Introduction – One Part 9 1 Site Design for BC Communities 0
% total annual rainfall can Absorb1”/24mmevery24Hours. Annual RainfallPotentiallyCapturedwithaSystemthat 1962 -May1,1995.Surrey,BC, Source: KwantlenParkRaingaugedatafromJan1, moderate (i.e.,lessthan1”/24mm)rainfallevents. majority ofannualrainfallonasiteisfromminorand In manyareasoftheGreaterVancouverRegion, Minor, ModerateandSubstantialRainfallEvents. Percentage ofTotalAnnualRainfallAttributableto Action Plan. Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fraser River through pipesburied beneath sidewalksandstreets. 95% ofVancouver’soriginal streamsystemsflow the streamsthatusedtoflowoverland.Today, over Vancouver onthenearright,dashedlinesrepresent stream systemsnolongerexist.Inthemapof In manyofourolderurbanenvironments,natural Right –LostStreamsofVancouver Concept Plan,Section6. Development etal.,EastClaytonNeighbourhood Source: CityofSurreyDepartmentPlanningand degradation). most aquifersfromdepletion(andstreams rates. Infiltrationisthesinglebestwaytoprotect that groundwaterisrechargedatpre-development maintain the hydrological cycle of the soil and ensure downstream iseliminated.Infiltrationsystems stream peakflowsarereduced,andflooding water ensuresstreambaseflowsaresupported, of alltherainthatfallsonasite.Infiltrating Clayton InfiltrationSystem,willabsorbalmost90% absorb 24mm(1inch)perday,suchastheEast Stormwater managementsystemsdesignedto infiltrated
notinfiltrated
fish, andsavemoney.Forinstance,the could protectoururbanstreams, to senditstreamsthroughpipes,we infiltrate rainintothesoilratherthan give toourengineersandaskthem we simplychangetheinstructions habitat. salmon-bearing streamsstillprovide ver alone,onlysixoftheoriginalsixty been destroyed.IntheCityofVancou all ofoururbanizedstreamsystemshas the fish-bearingcapabilityofvirtually disruption tourbanizedwatersheds, ity changes.Asaconsequenceofthe quantity changesthantowaterqual that fisharemoresusceptibletowater It isonlyrecentlythatwehavelearned Water Quantity volume duringstormevents. to atwentyfoldincreaseinstormwater scouring whatstreamsremainwithup ficially aridzone,severefloodingresults, large rainfalleventsdooccurinthisarti fer levelsdropandstreamsdryup.When groundwater recharge.Asaresult,aqui flow andeliminatetheopportunityfor management techniquesdisruptsurface environments. Conventionalstormwater off createsdesert-likeconditionsinurban ing andchannellingofstormwaterrun “RainCoast” ofBritishColumbia,thepip and hydrologicalfunction.Evenonthe U Water of rainwithintwenty-fourhours).These deliver lessthantwenty-fivemillimetres but smallstormevents(i.e.,stormsthat District (GVRD)isintheformoffrequent parts oftheGreaterVancouverRegional vast majorityofrainthatfallsinmany But itdoesnothavetobethisway.If English Bay changestonaturalstreamchannels rbanization causessignificant 1 VANCOUVER Granville St Burrard Inlet Broadway St
Hasting St Kingsway Kingsway
- - - -
Boundary Rd -
- that resideinthisvegetationalsoprovide moderate watertemperatures.Insects vegetation shadesstreamsandhelpsto corridor. Suchacanopycoverofriparian in ordertomaintainahealthyriparian of anygivenwatercourseisrequired of streamsidevegetationonbothsides Some studiesindicatethatthirtymetres tat, andensuringfoodsupplyforfish. ing nutrients,protectingin-streamhabi important roleinpreservingsoils,retain depletion andstreamsfromdegradation. best waytoprotectmostaquifersfrom velopment rates.Infiltrationisthesingle that groundwaterisrechargedatpre-de hydrological cycleofthesoilandensure downstream. Suchsystemsmaintainthe stream peakflows,andreduceflooding stream baseflowsaresupported,reduce naturally intotheground,ensurethat systems, whereinrainwaterisabsorbed from thesitebynearly90%. reduce theamountofstormwaterrunoff to captureandinfiltratethisrainfallcan parts oftheprovince.Systemsthataim events alsodominateinmostother help tomaintainthequalityandquantity tant foodandnutrientsources,they habitat. Upstreamareasprovideimpor ing partsofastreamplaysroleinfish the riparianvegetationofnon-fish-bear channel willwashawayordryup.Even – isnotmaintained,thenthestream interflow, andgroundwaterrecharge dent uponahealthyripariancorridor, er. Ifthishydrograph–whichisdepen the streamduringperiodsofdryweath stored groundwaterisreleasedbackinto to soakintothesoil. Slow-moving waterthenhasmoretime surface runoffandslowsoverlandflow. of risingfloodwater,vegetationfilters soil andreducingerosion.Duringtimes sediment, actuallyreplenishinghealthy bind soilsinplaceandtrapmoving stabilize streambanks.Riparianplants turn helpstosecurestreamflowand the energyofflowingwater,whichin predators. Rootsandfallentreesreduce places forfishaswellprotectionfrom trees andbranchesprovidecoolresting a constantsourceoffoodforfish.Fallen Streamside vegetationalsoplaysan In healthy,wellmanagedwatersheds,
Infiltration ------
1 Part One – Water Water – One Part 1 1 Site Design for BC Communities 0 and community education. multiple purposes aspassiverecreation amenity ofacommunity, andservesuch crease habitatquality,addto thenatural infrastructure. Inaddition,they canin over thelongtermthanconventional and aretypicallymorecost-effective the pollutionfromurbanstormwater Such practicescanalsogreatly reduce • • • they: The benefitsofthesepracticesarethat conventional stormwaterinfrastructure. provide acosteffectivealternativeto evaporation/transpiration practices shows thatintegratedinfiltrationand impacted overeverwiderareas. sity sprawlmeansthatwaterqualityis capita pollution.Furthermore,low-den tinues torise,leadingevenhigherper per capitapavementallocationcon from oiltankersandbarges. year exceedsthetotalworldwidespillage parking lots,andindustrialsiteseach residues washedoffstreets,highways, Currently, theamountofpetroleum that arereleasedintotheatmosphere. mention toxicgasesandparticulates lead, andorganiccompounds,notto for suchcontaminantsasoil,paint, NPS pollutants. stormwater runoffandwithitahostof into thesoil)generatelargeamountsof that preventtheinfiltrationofwater (i.e., roads,driveways,andparkinglots land-use activities;impermeablesurfaces ing andexcavation,butalsofromrelated sion andsedimentationfromlandclear only increasesthispollutionthroughero Sprawling suburbandevelopmentnot plays asignificantroleinNPSpollution. tion. Urbanlanduseanddevelopment major causeofwaterqualitydegrada and toxins–hasbeenidentifiedasthe pleting substances,nutrients,sediments, – whichincludespathogens,oxygen-de Non-point source(NPS)pollution Water Quality velopment occurs. them verydifficulttoprotectwhende throughout ourregions,whichmakes mittent portionsofstreamsareextensive of waterflowdownstream.Theseinter
protect existingdry-seasonbaseflows discharged intostreams) piration (aswellastotalwatervolume rates ofinfiltrationandevapotrans maintain “pre-development”peak number ofpollutants) dry periodsandcontainsthegreatest comes fromsmallstormsafterlong capture “firstflush”pollution(which Thankfully, considerableresearch Nonetheless, percapitacaruseand Our vehiclesarelargelyresponsible 3 2 ------The HyrdologicalEffectsofUrbanization Water: HowSoilAmendments AidinSalmonRecovery 1993); Marx,Josh,et. al, Coastal Waters”,#840-B-92-002 (Washington,DC:USEPA, ment MeasuresforSources ofNonpointSourcePollutionin mental ProtectionAgency,“GuidanceSpecifying Manage mainland regionandGeorgiaBasin.Pleasesee: Environ performance expectedonmostlandscapes within thelower The diagramsshownreflecttheaverage,and mostlikely, formance ofrainfallonforestedandurbanized landscapes. 4 USA,” “Retrofitting Suburbia:OpenSpaceinBellevue, Washington, monid fishpopulations.SeeC.L.GirlingandK.L.Helphand, protection ofriparianareas,whichcontinuetosupportsal In addition,theinfiltrationtechnologieshaveassistedin successfully managedstormsinexcessof100yearlevels. what aconventionalpiped-systemwouldhavecostandhas mitigate theeffectsofflooding,systemcostafraction Bellevue, Washington.Implementedinthemid-1980sto system thathasbeensuccessfullyimplementedisfoundin 3 Applications 2 1998), 10. Plan (Victoria,BC:MinistryofEnvironment,LandsandParks, point SourceWaterPollutioninBritishColumbia 1 Notes: Various sourcessuggestarangeofquantities fortheper A PacificNorthwestexampleofanopendrainageinfiltration William Marsh, MinistryofEnvironment,LandsandParks, Landscape andUrbanPlanning36 35 -45%interfow 35 -45%interfow 20% interfow (NewYork:Wiley,1998). 10-20% runoff >5% runoff Landscape Planning:Environmental deep groundwater 15 deep groundwater deep groundwater The RelationshipBetween Soiland 20-30% 45% 35% 35% runoff (1997):301-33. Tackling Non- : AnAction effective impervious , (Seattle, total impervious - - - - impervious 10 -20% 30 -75% surface surface surface zero% Annual ReviewofEcologicalSystems32 J. PaulandJudyL.Meyer,“StreamsintheUrbanLandscape,” tion, facilitatingbetterlandscapemanagement.SeeMichael become agaugetothedegreeofdisturbancebyurbaniza tal effectstowardsstreamecosystems.Urbanstreamshave 5 6-22. Ministry ofWater,LandandAirProtection,DraftJune,2001): book 1999); andCMH2Hill, Washington: KingCountyDepartmentofNaturalResources,
The increaseinimpervioussurfacecoverresultsdetrimen (Vancouver,BC:DepartmentofFisheriesandOceans, 4 continue tosurvive. development isessentialifstreamsareto thus virtuallyeliminatingrunoff)after predevelopment ratesofinfiltration(and across thesurfaceasrunoff.Maintaining ter aquifer.Lessthan5%actuallyflows some replenishesthedeepergroundwa (through subsurfaceinterflow),and infiltrated rainwaterreplenishesstreams the siteinfiltratessoil.Mostofthis cycle, themajorityofrainthathits In anaturallyfunctioninghydrological piration performanceofitsvegetation. in thewatershedandevapotrans the infiltrationperformanceofsoils Streams aresimplythemanifestationof Pre-development hydrology be maintained. naturally occurringinthewatershedto requires virtuallyalloftheinfiltration the habitatnecessaryforfishsurvival, area withoutdestroyingstreams,and hydrology ofthesite.Urbanizingan work togethertomimicthenatural vegetation withcontinuoustreecover smaller buildingfootprints,andriparian tional development.Narrowerstreets, higher rateofinfiltrationthanconven impervious surfaceareaachievesamuch Alternative developmentthatlimits Post Development(Alternative) this concentratedandartificialflowof has adjusted.Thecumulativeeffectsof greater thanthosetowhichthestream at velocitiesandvolumesmanytimes finally dischargedintoastream,usually that getprogressivelybiggeruntilitis stormwater thatfallsmovesviapipes the inletgrateonstreet,almostall cannot passtotheroadsidesoil.From is trappedbetweenstreetcurbsand falling onatypicalstreetcross-section In conventionaldevelopment,rainwater Post-development (Conventional) water levels. water pollution,andreducedground destabilized streambanks,increased water includeincreasedfloodpotential, Provincial StormwaterPlanningGuide (2001):333-65. ------
1 Part One – Water Water – One Part 1 1 Site Design for BC Communities 2 Car OwnershipperHousehold Percentage of Households with Cars Percent GHG Emission BC’s GreenHouseGas(GHG)EmissionsbySector Vehicle Numbers Source: StatisticsCanada. CanadaCensus1996. almost allhouseholds relyononeormorecars. in oursuburbancommunities, suchasDelta, urban communities,suchasVancouver, while Car ownershipperhouseholdislessinour Environmental Trends. Source: BCMinistryofEnvironment,LandsandParks. growing sourceofGHGemissionsinBC transportation isthelargestandfastest Compared tootherlandusesectors, Source: ICBCStatistics,2000. Vancouver’s roads. in policiesmirrorstheincreasedtrafficon Autoplan policiesineffect.Thesteadygrowth Vehicle numbersarebasedonthetotalICBC Passenger VehicleIncreaseinVancouver Vancouver one car
two cars
Delta one car
two cars ban developmentbringswithitadeep Valley Airshed. of theozonesmoginLowerFraser senger vehiclesaloneaccountfor40% provincial total. sions, accountingfor41%ofthecurrent and fastest-growingsourceofGHGemis Columbia, transportationisthelargest smog andGHGemissions.InBritish urban sprawlsignificantlyinfluences The increaseinautomobileusedueto populations. events, andfurtherdeclinesinfish ing, morefrequentandsevereweather could leadtorisingsealevelsandflood British Columbia,globalclimatechange of whichinfluencesglobalclimate. house gases(GHG),theaccumulation the atmosphericconcentrationofgreen A secondmajorairqualitychallengeis agricultural crops. and candamagevegetation,including cause respiratoryproblemsforpeople emissions. Elevatedlevelsofozonecan compounds fromindustrialandvehicle nitrogen oxides,andvolatileorganic in theatmospherebetweensunlight, ozone isproducedthroughareaction is “ground-levelozone.”Ground-level primary unhealthyingredientinsmog Valley duringhotsummerdays. tions oftheGVRDandLowerFraser which formsmainlyintheeasternpor O A per dwelling unitisapproximately 1.8 our region–the averagecarownership Surrey andDelta –lessdenseareasof dwelling unitis approximately1.2. a car.Theaveragecarownership per acre), 22%ofhouseholdsdo not own forty unitsperhectare(sixteen unitsper which hasanaveragedensity ofaround In themetropolitanareaofVancouver, Mitigating SmogandGHG within afive-minutewalkingdistance. services andfrequenttransitareavailable Americans willleavetheircarsathomeif day. kilometres travelled(VKT)perperson results inadoublingofpercapitavehicle dependence ontheautomobileand ir challenges isphotochemicalsmog, ne ofourregion’smajorairquality 7
Yet researchalsoshowsthatNorth 4 6
5 Conventional subur Within theGVRD,pas 2 1
The 3 9
- For In - 8 10 - - - - on averagethantheirsuburbancounter an averageof40%lessGHGpercapita to localandregionaltransitcontribute grated landuses,andviableconnections an interconnectedstreetsystem,inte units perhectare(ortenacre), munities withdensitiesoftwenty-five Studies showthatpeoplelivingincom needs bywalkingortakingtransit. Vancouver canmeetmanyoftheirdaily pact pre-warurbancommunitiessuchas car. Conversely,residentsofmorecom way thatonehasnochoicebuttousea Surrey andDeltaaredesignedinsucha sprawling post-warcommunitiessuchas ownership isexplainedbythefactthat $34,598. annual incomeforaSurreyresidentis resident is$40,354,whiletheaverage average annualincomeforaVancouver income thanresidentsofVancouver.The rey orDeltahavingmorediscretionary is notsimplyamatterofresidentsSur while in Surrey and Delta it is 52%. two ormorecarsinVancouveris26%, a car. and only5%ofhouseholdsdonotown Criterion Engineers,Planners,1996),18. Neotraditional CommunityDevelopment(Portland,OR: 13 12 Strategic Plan(Vancouver:GVRD,2000). 11 10 9 Transit LongRangePlanning,1994). 8 rh-pr/index.html> available on-lineat: The numberofhouseholdswith 12 The dramaticdifferenceincar 11 This - - - - - Part One – Air – One Part 1 3 1 Site Design for BC Communities 2 Automobile Use (daily VKT/household) Comparing UrbanTravelBehaviour Alternative Pattern Conventional Pattern Annual Household GHG Emissions Comparing GHGEmissions Air Alternative Pattern Conventional Pattern be significantlyreduced. travel modeincreasesandvehiclekilometrestravelledcan tunities), andaccesstofrequenttransitservice,choiceof of mixedland-use(includinglocalemploymentoppor densities (i.e.,above25unitsperhectare),ahighdegree that, incombinationwithhigherthanaveragehousehold routes formovingthroughacommunity.Researchshows hood ConceptPlan),providemultipleandalternative (as showninthisdetailfromtheEastClaytonNeighbour Interconnected streetsinagrid,ormodifiedgridpattern The AlternativePattern by singleusedevelopmentandisusuallydominated Conventional suburbandevelopmentischaracterized The SuburbanPattern are themajorsourceofNOxandVOCemissions. generated locally.MotorvehiclesintheVancouverarea the region’sozoneproblem.Here,80%ofsmogis of Georgia,restrictair-flowpatternsandcontributeto Valley, alongwiththesea-to-shorebreezesoffStrait The uniquegeographicalfeaturesoftheLowerFraser The LowerFraserValleyAirShed drive, tripsgetlonger,andairpollutionincreases. Building moreroadsmeanspeopleareforcedto means buildingmore(longerandwider)roads. a car.Buildingmoreofthesamekindcommunities configuration meansthatevenshorttripsaremadeby streets connectedtowidearterials.Itshierarchicalstreet by low-densityhousing,cull-de-sacs,andcurvilinear Highlight #50underthe sametitle. Evaluating Neighbourhood SustainabilityorResearch Greenhouse GasEmissions fromUrbanTravel:Toolfor See CanadianMortgage andHousingCorporation, frequent accesstotransit. employment densities,integratedstreets, and (approximately 25unitsperhectare), higher alternative pattern’shigherresidential densities alternative pattern.Thisislargelydue tothe are over35%morethananequallysized automobile use(inkm/day)andGHG emissions As shown,averagesuburbanweekday behaviour andGHGemissionsarecompared. Using asoftwaremodellingtool,urbantravel Left - - Part One – Air – One Part 1 3 1 Site Design for BC Communities 4 Comparing SquareFeetofPavement Comparing ModesofTravel Comparing InfrastructureCosts Square Feet of Pavement Standards. Source: CondonandTeed,AlternativeDevelopment ‘traditional’ neighbourhoodpattern. times morepavementpercapitathanthepre-war Conventional suburbandevelopmenthasfour Vancouver RegionalDistrict, more thanpeopleoutside theGCA.Source: Area (GCA)driveless andwalk,cycle,orusetransit (GVRD), peopleinside theGrowthConcentration Within theGreaterVancouverRegionalDistrict an AlternativeStandard.” Source: CondonandGonyea,“StatusQuoStandardsversus dwelling unitofatypicalsuburbandevelopment as much$12,000–lessthanhalfthecostper reduce infrastructurecostsperdwellingunitby densities, alternativedevelopmentpatternscan their muchmoreefficientuseoflandandhigher influence thecostofinfrastructure.Because The designoftheneighbourhoodcandramatically Infrastructure Costs 2,000 1,000 3,000 $25.000 $30.000 $20.000 $10.000 $15.000 0 $5.000 Suburban $0 Suburban 2463.70 $23,521 Annual Report East ClaytonModel Alternative Pattern $11,006 567.80 . Greater . they resultinsuitesandduplexesbeing create barrierstoaffordablehousing(i.e., and theirassociatedseparatedland-uses purse. Automobile-centriccommunities both theenvironmentandpublic increase intheimpact,perperson,on hoods. in moretraditionalurbanneighbour times morepavementpercapitathan suburban dwellersnowhaveuptofive bourhoods. Thismeansthataverage capita thandidtraditionalpre-warneigh tern consumes three times more land per the currentsuburbandevelopmentpat gion isinincreasinglyshortsupply,and habitat andthenaturalenvironment. the opportunitytoprotectandenhance newer suburbancommunitiesstillhave suburban homogeneity.Inaddition,our ethnically diverseanddefystereotypesof Many ofoursuburbsaresociallyand such asparksandcommunitycentres. schools, andimportantsocialamenities, improved transitservices,shopping, services arebeingprovided,including As suburbsfillin,moreandpublic going towherethepeoplearelocated. with employmentcentresgradually suburbs, jobsareincreasinglyavailable, access toschoolsandshops.Intoday’s homes atanaffordableprice,witheasy fered youngfamiliesground-oriented afforded inurbancentres.Suburbsof quality oflifethattheycouldnothave People The feescollected areusedtopayfor up toalmost$20,000 perdwellingunit. units instratastructures andcanrange single-family unitsorindividual dwelling DCCs areaone-timechargeagainst in turn,thecostofournew homes. charge (DCC)onnewdevelopment and, also reflectedinthedevelopment cost conventional suburbandevelopment is arterial roadsneccessarytosupport the infrastructureofstormdrainsand The costofbuildingandmaintaining Charges: Affordability Infrastructure andDevelopmentCost of milk. needs asbuyingaloafofbreadorlitre needs acartosatisfyevensuchminor illegal inmostareas)andmeanthatone U However, developablelandinourre providedmanypeoplewitha ntil recently,Canadiansuburbs 1 This hasledtoacorresponding - - - - 2 - Class Segregation of People by Income and our region’sgrowthisoccurring. urban core—areaswherethemajorityof in emergingurbanareasoutsidethe communities. Thisisparticularlythecase to implementingmoresustainablenew networks, DCCscurrentlyactasabarrier structure costsarelowerduetoexisting within existingurbanareas,whereinfra taxes. Whilefavouringdevelopment is unsustainablewithoutexcessivenew over thelongterm,low-densitysprawl budget. ing anincreasingshareofthemunicipal low-density infrastructureisconsum and upkeepcostsofouroverextended fordability. Inaddition,thereplacement had asignificantimpactonhousingaf ta roaduse,haselevatedDCCsand the neardoublingofsuburbanpercapi more numerousroadstoaccommodate infrastructure, alongwithwiderand The trendtowardsevermoreexpensive development sitetoservenewresidents. drainage, roads,andparksbeyondthe minute walkfrom eachother.People wide rangesof housetypeswithinaone- hoods. Largeareas ofVancouvercontain onstrated inolderVancouver neighbour house approachhasbeenamply dem The valueofthismixedparcel/mixed commodating avarietyofincome levels. neighbour-hood thatiscapable ofac given streetandoffersasocially diverse increases theaffordabilityofhomesona suite. Thissimpleapproachdramatically plex onitorincludeasecondaryrental or moreoftheselotsmighthaveadu 4,000 square-footlotontheother.One 6,000 square-footlotononesideanda a 3,000square-footlotmighthave range ofpersonalincomes.Forexample, help toensurearangeofhomesfor same street,canincreasediversityand same neighbourhood,orevenonthe homes toapartmentbuildings)inthe range ofdensitiesfromsingle-family mix ofhousingtypes,includingabroad Providing differentdwellingtypes(a municipalities. some extremeexamples,withinentire very largeurbandistrictsandeven,in are regulatedoutofexistencewithin quently, opportunitiesforsocialmixing to eliminatehousingdiversity.Conse large areasofourcitiesareoftenzoned much moremodestresources.Currently, well asareasdominatedbypeopleof areas dominatedbypeopleofmeansas ings). Ourcitieshavealwayscontained ily dwellingsversusmulti-familydwell idential density(low-density,single-fam (commercial versusresidential),andres segregation oflandusesbyactivity expansion alsomarkstheriseofenforced The riseofsuburbancar-dominated 3 This scenariosuggeststhat, 4 ------ - - - - - Part One – People – One Part 1 5 1 Site Design for BC Communities 4 work andtaking transitissignificantly for men. women and21%morethanthe average — 20%morethantheaverage forall an averageoffivecartripsper day or not,womenwithchildren now make hour adaydriving.Whetherthey work causes parentstospendmore thanan bly connected.Disperseddevelopment and parenthoodhavebecomeinextrica 3.9% ofthetotalmodesplit. trips wereevenlower,garneringonly on foot,whileoutsidetheGCAwalking Growth ConcentrationArea(GCA)were 6.6% ofworktripswithintheGVRD’s formation from1996indicatesthatonly age ofalltripsareonfoot. and towns,today,onlyasmallpercent common wayofgettingaroundincities 1970s. Althoughitusedtobethemost work hasdeclineddramaticallysincethe and childrenwalkingtoschool and unsafestreets,thenumberofadults metre peryear. there isanincreaseinaccidentsperkilo injuries. Infact,asstreetwidthincreases, a significantrelationshiptocar-related typical ofsuburbancommunities,have tion, wide,curvilinearstreets,whichare lively, lesssociallyactivestreets.Inaddi for pedestriantraffic,resultinginless dependence decreasetheopportunity Sprawl anditsassociatedautomobile to thedegreewhichresidentswalk. density butdoescorrelateverystrongly does notcorrelatetoneighbourhood indicate thattheformationofsocialties pleasant anddangerous.Recentstudies because walkinghasbecomebothun community isfarfromwell—largely By thisstandard,thetypicalsuburban distance, therewillbecommunity.” of dailylifearelocatedwithinwalking one studynotes,“whenthenecessities located withinwalkingdistance.As measured bythenumberofamenities The healthofacommunitycanbe The Automobile:ServantorMaster? naturally duringtheirdailyroutine. of variousincomesmixcasuallyand The proportion ofpeoplewalkingto Furthermore, inoursuburbsdriving 10 7 As aresultofunpleasant 8 Census in 9 5 - - 6 - - - - more secureretirement. college education,abetterhome, ora per year than two,familiescansaveupto$8,000 option. Managingwithonecarrather such awaythatthecarisnotonly grow. as housing,andthiscostiscontinuingto average suburbanfamilyalmostasmuch ties. Transportationisnowcostingthe than childrenintraditionalcommuni in suburbsatratesfourtimesgreater gested routesof60%to80%. with hourlyincreasesonthemostcon are spreadingoverlongertimeperiods, tion, theperiodsofrush-hourcongestion by anaverageofalmost60%.Inaddi Fraser River,peakhourtravelincreased crossing thenorthandsoutharmsof ened forregionalcommuters.Onroutes 1996, GVRDrush-hourconditionswors nuisance, itisacurse.Between1985and trips arebycar,congestionisnotjusta becoming painfullyobvious.Whenall sequences ofourcardependenceare ents. However,theunintendedcon that wasnotenjoyedbyourgrandpar access todistantlocations—something Columbians withfreedomofmotionand amenable towalking. transportation andcitylayoutsthatwere were duetotheavailabilityofpublic The studyconcludedthatthesavings average fortransportationofallkinds. $2,000 to$4,000lessthantheregional good publictransportationspentfrom ent citiesclosetoshopping,jobs,and ing automobilecostsincurredindiffer sit, walking, or cycling. downtown Vancouveraremadebytran areas. IntheGVRD,50%ofworktripsto centres thanitisinlessdensesuburban higher indowntownsandregional Yet, communitiescanbedesignedin Car useisalsoendangeringchildren Cars haveclearlyprovidedBritish 15 16 – $8,000thatcanbeusedfor 11 A study compar 13 - - - 12 - - - - - - Concentration Areas.SeeCityofSurreyCorporateReportNo. urban areas,whicharelocatedoutsideoftheGVRDGrowth residential developmentoccurredinSurrey’semerging density areasoftheGVRD,in199943%newurban 4 Solutions, 2000). Costs ofSprawlinWashingtonState(Seattle:Climate 3 over $19,000perunit. unit, withtheCityofSurreyhavinghighestrate,whichis 2 Liveable Environments,1997). (Vancouver: UBCJamesTaylorChairinLandscapeand Development StandardsforSustainableCommunities 1 Notes: commercial districtsthatliealongbusyarterials. communities, dailyneedscanonlybemetin nuisance, itisacurse.Yet,intoomanysuburban When alltripsarebycar,congestionisnotjusta car dependencearebecomingpainfullyobvious. cations. Yettheunintendedconsequencesofour with freedomofmotionandaccesstodistantlo The automobilehasprovidedBritishColumbians Left (Ottawa: CAA,2001),1. 16 2000). Washington State(Seattle,Washington:ClimateSolutions, Eben Fodor,TakingItsToll:TheHiddenCostsofSprawlin 15 Classifications, andOccupancies(Burnaby,BC:1997),10-11. 13 Technology, 2000),10. Transportation PolicyProject/CenterforNeighborhood Transportation Expenses,”(Washington,DC:Surface 12 30. 11 (Washington, DC:STPP,1999). 10 Livable RegionStrategicPlan,(Burnaby,BC:VRD,2000),29. 9 1997), 8-9. Demographic Characteristics(Burnaby,BC:GVRD,October bike. See Greater Vancouver Regional District, 1992 Travel and that anaverageof14%alltripsaremadebyfootand/or 8 Frequency (Longmont,CO:SwiftandAssociates,1998). 7 (1): 69-77. Social Ties,”JournaloftheAmericanPlanningAssociation67 6 Sprawl,” EMagazine9(3). Malling America:TheFast-MovingFighttoStopUrban 5 C014, 6November2000. DespitetheoftenmuchlowerDCCrateswithinhigher- PatrickMazzaandEbenFodor,TakingItsToll:TheHidden GreaterVancouverRegionalDistrict,2000AnnualReport: LanceFreeman,“TheEffectsofSprawlonNeighbourhood Peter Swift,ResidentialStreetTypologyandInjuryAccident In theGVRD,DCCsaverageabout$10,000perresidential Condon, Patrick,andJacquelineTeed,Alternative The 1992GreaterVancouverRegionTravelsurveyindicates Ray Oldenberg,quotedinLindaBaker,“GrowingPains/ GreaterVancouverRegionalDistrict,1996VehicleVolumes, BarbaraMcCann,“DriventoSpend,SprawlandHousehold Greater VancouverRegionalDistrict,2000AnnualReport, SurfaceTransportationPolicyProject,HighMileageMoms Canadian AutomotiveAssociation,DrivingCosts2001 McCann, “DriventoSpend,”17;PatrickMazzaand - Part One – People – One Part 1 5 1 Site Design for BC Communities 6 economic needs.” to meettheirownenvironmentaland compromise the abiltiy of future generations ensure thatpresent-daydecisionsdonot global well-being.Finally,theProvinceshall environment tofulfilitsresponsibiltiy protect, manageanduseitsresources the Provincerecognizesitsobligationto being ofBritishColumbians.Furthermore, material, physicalandspiritualwell- economy are essential to the social, cultural, “A healthyenvironmentanda • fosteringthecurrentandfuture • providingstewardshipofthepublic • providingtheservicesandother things • providinggoodgovernmentforits purposes ofalocalgovernmentsare: Under theLocalGovernmentAct UseinBritishColumbia,CommissiononResources - FindingCommonGround:ASharedVisionforLand Government Act,S.2) well-being ofitscommunity (Local economic, socialand environmental assets ofitscommunity its community necessary ordesirableforallpart of that thelocalgovernmentconsiders community and theEnvironment,1994. The EmergingContextforSustainability Policy andPlanning different levelsofgovernment,and competing geographicjurisdictions, is fracturedamongdifferentandoften integrated healthoftheurbanlandscape complex, responsibilityformanagingthe resources. Tomakemattersevenmore damage tostreamsandgroundwater land mightverywellleadtoincreased of housesonanyparticularpiece of housing.Butincreasingthenumber land-use efficiency,andtheaffordability has apositiveimpactontransportation, communities isaverylaudablegoaland increasing densityandcreatingcompact to newpolicychallenges.Forinstance, each newpolicysolutionoftengivesrise tions toanumberoflinkedproblems, and futurecitizens. sic valueandfortheirtopresent should be protected, both for their intrin streams andecologicallysensitiveareas for allresidents.Theyalsostatethatour nities shouldfosterahighqualityoflife upon theautomobile;andthatcommu should bedesignedtoreducereliance affordable housing;thatcommunities a righttocleanwater,freshair,and these policiesstatethatallcitizenshave response tothisconcern.Generally, policies andprogramshaveevolvedin tainable urbandevelopment.BCpublic economic, andhumancostsofunsus B ing thisgoal. our collectiveprogress towardsachiev manner. Thesection thatfollowscharts and toplantheminamorecoordinated ous systemswithintheurban landscape and policytoolstoreintegrate thevari representatives haveproduced policies produced. Inresponse,government that thisjurisdictionalseparation has nomic, and environmental consequences alarmed bytheunforeseensocial,eco ners, anddesignersarenowincreasingly resources. cies isresponsibleforprotectingwater a parcel,whiledifferentsetofagen deciding howmanyhousestoplaceon One ormoreagenciesareresponsiblefor different agencieswithingovernment. Yet whilesuchpoliciespromisesolu However, policymakers,urbanplan concerned abouttheecological, r itish Columbiansareincreasingly 1 ------planning powertomunicipalitiesand grants communityandneighbourhood Act). TheLocalGovernmentActofficially Government Act(formerlytheMunicipal fairs) throughtheBritishColumbiaLocal (formerly theMinistryofMunicipalAf munity, AboriginalandWomen’sServices undertaken bytheMinistryofCom context forlocallanduseplanningis Columbian residentsmustfindahome. most ofthenextfourmillionnewBritish Columbian citizensnowliveandwhere within whichthevastmajorityofBritish focus isontheselandscapes— southern CentralInteriorOkanagan.Our ern portionsoftheprovince,suchas opable landislocatedinthesouthwest urbanization. Themajorityofthisdevel lands inBritishColumbiaareavailablefor than agriculture).Thus,only5%ofall (i.e., landsrestrictedfromusesother falls withintheAgriculturalLandReserve licly owned).Oftheremainder,abouthalf is ownedbythe“Crown”(i.e.,itpub Over 90%ofthelandinBritishColumbia Planning Framework ternationally, by 1997Canadahadsigned ments andaccords forsustainability been ratifiedthrough internationalagree and policies,anumberofwhich have linked tofederalprogrampriorities, goals, the shapingofprovincialpolicy isdirectly ried out. zoning andland-useplans)are tobecar development andland-usecontrol(e.g., for howspecificrequirementssite OCPs, which,inturn,providethecontext planning goals)providethecontextfor (which shoulddirectlyreflectprovincial higher-order regionalgrowthstrategies work functionsasahierarchy,whereby requirements. Conceptually,thisframe opment engineeringandsubdivision community plans (OCPs), andsitedevel are: regionalgrowthstrategies,official influence onsiteandcommunitydesign plans thathavethemostimmediate land usetoday(seefacingpage). the regulatoryenvironmentthatshapes planning interrelateprovidesinsightinto tools. Understandinghowtheselevelsof through differentlegislativeandpolicy ning andintersectatdifferentpoints important roleinlocalland-useplan ministries andagenciesalsohavean munities. social, andeconomicqualityoftheircom uses thatmightaffecttheenvironmental, for regulatinglanduses—especially ments greaterflexibilityandmoreoptions have givenlocalandregionalgovern changes totheLocalGovernmentAct regional districts.Since1997extensive The administrativeandlegislative It isalsoimportanttoemphasize that At thelocallevel,threetypesof A hostofotherprovincialandfederal 2 - . In ------ 1 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 7 1 Site Design for BC Communities 6 unit ofplanning. efforts toacknowledgethewatershedasacritical Georgia BasinEcosystemInitiativearetworecent models suchastheFraserBasinCounciland happens atthescaleofwatershed.Governance scale oftheindividualparcelandstreetaffectswhat contained therein.Therefore,whathappensatthe watershed/drainage basinandthenaturalsystems with aneyetowardstheirpotentialeffectsonthe land-use, and community design decisions are made Watershed-based planningmeansthatresource, river basin. scales, fromthebackyardorparktoentire boundaries), watershedplanningoccursatall ing tonaturalsystems(asopposedpolitical protection ofecosystems.Organizedaccord priorities forthelong-termmanagementand mental andcommunityhealthtoestablish a unitbywhichtoassessandmonitorenviron the scaleofwatershedisincreasinglyusedas ence onsiteandcommunitydesign.However, requirements havethegreatestimmediateinflu site developmentengineeringandsubdivision the sitelevel. ronmental andland-usedecisionsaremadeat agreements havedirectrelevancetohowenvi past decadeandahalf.Manysuchinternational and accordsthathavebeenratifiedoverthe national andinternationaltreaties,agreements, sustainable landuseisprovidedbytheseveral The enlargedcontextforpolicyandplanning Right Watershed Scale Regionaldistrictplans,communityand - - - - Site Plans Subdivision Plans Site DevelopmentScale Service PlansandPrograms Local AreaPlans/NeighbourhoodConceptPlans Official CommunityPlans Community/Municipal Scale Systems andServicingplans Regional GrowthStrategies National/International Scale Scales ofUrbanLandUsePolicyandPlanning Regional Scale Provincial Scale sustainability goals at the local level. many casesthesepoliciesprovidethecontext for setting quantifiable targets and thresholds for meetingPolicy fortheManagementofFishHabitat(1992),andnationalclimatechangeprocess(1998).In broad directives are several federal environmental policies - including the Fisheries Act (1985), the National Protocol totheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(1997).Flowingfromthese (1992); theRioDeclarationonEnvironmentandDevelopmentAgenda21Kyoto and provincialland-usepolicyprograms.Theseinclude:theConventiononBiologicalDiversity Several importantinternationalagreements,treaties,andaccordsprovidethebroadcontextfornational Legislation, Policy,andServices settlement planninginBritishColumbia. nicipal Affairs)istheprimarylegislationgoverning Women’s Services(formerlytheMinistryofMu the MinistryofCommunity,Aboriginal,and The context forlocalland-useplanning. Provincial policiesandlegislationprovidethe sustainable developmentobjectives. environmentally sensitiveareasandto achieve is onetoolthatallowslocalgovernments toprotect by theapprovingofficer. account when subdivision applications are reviewed for neworexpandedservicesarefactors takeninto community (asoutlinedintheOCP),andneed Existing by-laws,thedevelopmentgoalsof Act, LandTitleandStrataPropertyAct. regulated bystatuteunderthe The subdivisionofprivatelandintoparcelsis area orneighbourhoodplans). improvement plans,infrastructureandlocal other controltools(suchasmunicipalcapital which isimplementedbyland-useby-lawsand consistent withitsregionalgrowthstrategyand OCPs establishavisionforcommunitythatis ments forareasofgrowthwithinthecommunity. development) thatdeterminesservicingrequire use designations(includingformandcharacterof adopted byacitycounciloutliningspecificland- An and implementationagreements(seep.20). implemented throughregionalcontextstatements nomic objectives.RegionalGrowthStrategiesare district’s commonsocial,environmental,andeco prepare the province’stwenty-eightregionaldistrictsto Section 25oftheLocalGovernmentActrequires Designating DevelopmentPermitAreas (DPAs) Official CommunityPlan Local GovernmentAct Regional GrowthStrategies , administeredthrough (OCP) isabylaw Local Government thataddressa - - - 1 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 7 1 Site Design for BC Communities 8 Policy Milestones:thelastfourdecades conflict arisingwhenpowersofjurisdic velopment issues;andcompetition environmental, social,andeconomicde of aclearmandatetomanageregional for severalreasons.Theseinclude:lack district modelhascomeunderscrutiny than apoliticalamalgamation.” government, butasafunctionalrather were “notconceivedasafourthlevelof planning withdirection,regionaldistricts implied functionwastoprovideregional systems —whereefficient.Whiletheir drainage, hospitals,andsewerwater provide jointservices—suchasregional to unincorporatedruralareas,and dination, toprovidemunicipalservices tricts tofacilitateinter-municipalcoor the provinceempoweredregionaldis formation ofregionaldistricts.Originally, the MunicipalActin1965allowed Georgia Basin. in therapidlyurbanizingregionsof to managingurbangrowth,especially step towardsanintegratedapproach districts inthemid-1960swasafirst and waned.Theformationofregional control overurbanland-usehaswaxed sentiment forincreasinggovernment During thepastfiftyyears,public A BriefHistory A ProvincialGrowthStrategy: local level. achieving sustainabilitygoalsatamore efforts, createanenlargedscopefor provincial andjointfederal/provincial These, inadditiontomanyotherrecent Act, discussedingreaterdetailbelow). 2001 amendmenttotheFishProtection the StreamsideProtectionRegulation(a Provincial FishProtectionAct,1997,and protection policyinitiativessuchasthe the contextforprovincialfishandhabitat the ManagementofFishHabitatprovide Fisheries ActandtheNationalPolicyfor design arecarriedout. relevance tohowsiteandcommunity tal performance,manyofwhichhave aimed atimprovingglobalenvironmen over 230internationalagreements Since itsinception,theregional At thefederallevel,policiessuchas 1965 Creation of Regional Districts by Ministry of Municipal Affairs 1973 3 Amendments madeto Agricultural Land Commission enacted to form Agricultural Land Reserve 1974 Creation of Islands Trust by Ministry of Municipal Affairs 1976 4 - - Habitat provisions of federal Fisheries - - Act enacted - 1978 regional districtswasbeingdebated, At thesametimeaspowerof The AgriculturalLandReserve(1973) regional scale. tive authoritytoundertakeplanningata despite theabsenceofanydirectlegisla Plan (adoptedin1996)andwerecreated for thelandmarkLivableRegionStrategic (1990). Thesewerevisionaryblueprints Strategy (1976)andCreatingOurFuture GVRD todeveloptheLivableRegion approach toregionalplanningledthe Over thenextdecade,thisproactive tive regional/localplanningperspective. board inordertomaintainacoopera agreements” withtheregionaldistrict GVRD enteredintovoluntary“service to regionaldistricts,municipalitiesinthe addition toreturningplanningpowers implement theserecommendationsin awaiting legislationthatwouldactually greater ruralrepresentation. try ofMunicipalAffairs;andallowing support andguidancefromtheMinis dence fromtheprovince;enablingmore thereby givingthemmoreindepen statutory powerstoregionaldistricts, significant oftheseincluded:granting purpose ofregionaldistricts.Themost several changestothestructureand best. future ofregionaldistrictsuncertainat authority —amovethatwouldleavethe tricts ofallregulatoryregionalplanning provincial legislature to strip regional dis This conflicteventuallyprovokedthe regional planputforwardbytheGVRD. protected fromdevelopmentunderthe privately ownedSpetiforefarmscouldbe licized 1983disputeoverwhetherthe followed ontheheelsofahighlypub review wasparticularlyimportantasit and roleofregionaldistricts.The1986 1986 —aimedatclarifyingthepurpose tensive reviews — one in 1978 and one in tion areleftambiguous. rise. TheAgriculturalLandCommission ing agriculturallandbasewasonthe concern overtheprovince’sdisappear The 1986reviewrecommended The provincecommissionedtwoex Land Development Guidelines for the 6 Protection of Aquatic Habitat (1st Edition [DFO/MELP]) 1985 Fraser River Estuary Management Plan: inter- agency initiative to establish coordinated and sustainable management of Fraser River Estuary 5 1986 7 While still DFO Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat establishes national goal of “net - gain” and “no net loss” as the guiding - - - principle for fish habitat management - - and protection - - Georgia Basin’sagriculturalland). amounted toapproximately8.5%ofthe the GeorgiaBasintourbanuses(this 750 hectaresofagriculturallandwithin and 1990resultedinthelossofover population expansionbetween1970 promise oflong-termprotection,rapid future urbandevelopment.Despitethe half ofalldevelopableprivatelandsfrom so, theprovincialgovernmentprotected urban expansioncouldnotgo.Indoing provided adefiniteedgebeyondwhich munities intheLowerMainland)and (particularly thefast-growingcom boundary aroundmanycommunities ALR thusestablishedanurbangrowth cultural tractsintosmallerparcels.The prohibition onsubdividinglargeagri urban uses.Itdidthisthroughablanket any activefarmlandintheprovinceto essence, theactforbadetransferof was losttourbangrowtheachyear. (15,000 acres)ofBCagriculturalland tural LandReserve(ALR),6,000hectares Prior totheintroductionofAgricul agricultural landfrombeingurbanized. Act, 1973,wasenactedinordertostop Finding CommonGround:ASharedVision strategy forlanduse.” consideration aBritishColumbia-wide to develop“forpublicandgovernment trend. Thecommissionwasestablished summate summationofthisemerging stake ment (CORE)Act,anditssubsequent mission onResourcesandtheEnviron management. TheprovincialCom proaches toprovinciallandandresource integrated andconsensus-based—ap sustainable —and,bydefinition,more tives weremountedtodevelopmore 1990s aseriesofprovince-wideinitia Throughout thelate1980sandearly Basin Initiative(1993) Environment (CORE)andtheGeorgia The CommissiononResourcesandthe growth managementissues. closer lookatregionalsustainabilityand the 1980sand1990sthatprompteda alarming trend was one of many through 1990 Under itsmandate,COREpublished holder process,providedthecon Creating Our Future - lish region-wide co-operation for manag- ing growth and protecting the green zone 1992 GVRD plan t Commission on Resources and the Envi 10 ronment (CORE) o estab 9 - - This 8 - - In - - - - 1 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 9 1 Site Design for BC Communities 8 all levelsofgovernment(local,regional, Georgia Basin;thatthisprocessinvolve governance forsustainabilityinthe develop newmodelsofplanningand were: thataprocessbeundertakento mendations focusingongovernance and energyuse.Amongthoserecom protection andeconomicdevelopment complete communities,environmental Georgia Basin,includinggovernance, passed awidespectrumofissuesinthe provided recommendationsthatencom a SustainableFuture(1993) entitled Initiative, outofwhichcamethereport new mandatewastheGeorgiaBasin Basin.” ment onhowtomanagetheGeorgia mandate “toprovideadvicetogovern round tablecommitteewasgivenanew objectives fortheprovince.In1992 able developmentandmanagement 1990) wasalsoestablishingsustain ronment andtheEconomy(formedin Columbia RoundTableontheEnvi regional, sub-regional,andlocalscales. ways ofintegratingtheseprinciplesat and publiclands),recommended a province-widescale(forbothprivate planning andmanagementdecisionson sustainability intomulti-sectoralland-use framework forintegratingprinciplesof This groundbreakingreportprovideda for LandUseinBritishColumbia(1994) was losttourbandevelopmenteachyear. 6,000 hectares(15,000arcres)ofprimeagriculturalland Agricultural LandReservein1973,itisestimatedthat prime agriculturalland.Priortothecreationof Reserve Act.Ofthis,approximately1/5isconsidered for agriculturalpurposesundertheAgriculturalLand BC. Today,5%oftheProvinciallandbaseisprotected base forthefuture.Yetagriculturallandisscarcein of maintainingaproductiveandsustainableland Growth managementpoliciesrecognizetheimportance Right 1992 Prior totheCOREprocess,British 11 Georgia BasinInitiative:Creating Georgia Basin Intiative – strategy for One immediateresultofthis sustainable development and man- agement of the Georgia Basin 1992 Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat (revised edition [DFO/MELP]) 1995 . Thisreport Provincial Environmental Assessment Act - - 1995 - . - - Growth Strategies Act - gives regional planning authority back to regional strategy mustincludepopulationand in relationtotheregionalvision.The objectives ofmembermunicipalities social, economic,andenvironmental propose ways of addressing the common a periodofatleasttwentyyearsand 20). and implementationagreements(seep. strategies, regionalcontextstatements, written agreements:regionalgrowth and integrationthroughthreeimportant to achievegreaterland-usecoordination districts andtheirmembermunicipalities of British Columbia. use throughouttheurbanizingregions available forinfluencingsustainableland one ofthemostpowerfulpolicytools This legislationhasthepotentialtobe Part 25oftheLocalGovernmentAct. was enactedin1995 The GrowthStrategiesAmendmentAct Act (1995) The GrowthStrategiesAmendment ment Act. basis fortheGrowthStrategiesAmend precedents thatprovidedtheconceptual Basin Initiativewereamongthekey scale. use planningbeintegratedataregional transportation andcomprehensiveland- an efficientgovernancemodel;andthat provincial, federal,Aboriginal);thatitbe 1995 districts A regionalgrowthstrategymustcover The COREprocessandtheGeorgia 14 1996 Forest Practices Code 1997 GVRD Livable Region Strategic Plan Land areaofBC(100%) 13 1998 Agricultural Land Provincial Fish Protection Act 12 Reserve (ALR) It enablesregional and constitutes suitable torange of crops(2.7%) (5%) Land inALR 1998 Municipal Act Reform initiated agricultural land in ALR(1.1%) Georgia Basin Ecosystem Initiative Prime 1999 - Freshwater Strategy for BC 1999 Source: Quayle, Stakes in the Ground: Provincial Interest in the Agricultural Commission Act (Victoria, BC: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, 1998). incorporate ahostofplanninggoalsinto regional districtsareencouragedto economic development. services, parksandnaturalareas, housing, transportation,regionaldistrict dating theseprojectionsintheareasof must proposestrategiesforaccommo covered bythegrowthstrategy,andit employment projectionsfortheperiod 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. these goalsare: their growthstrategies.Summarized, Provincial Non-point Source Pollution In additiontotheserequirements, land for settlement Ensure adequate inventory of suitablepropriate housing Provide adequate affordable and ap water pollution Reduce andpreventair,land, port communities Promote economic development to supbase Protect and secure aareas productive resourceProtect environmentallysensitive Move goodsandservicesefficiently efficient useofpublictransit encourage walking,bicycling,and Minimize useofautomobilesand services Avoid urban sprawl byusingexisting Action Plan and surface water Protect quality and quantity of ground 2001 Provincial Fish Protection Act - Streamside Protection Regulation 2001 GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative 15 - - 1 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 9 2 Site Design for BC Communities 0 regional growthstrategy. lation willliveinanareacoveredbya over 75%ofBritishColumbia’spopu Regional District.Oncecompleted, District andfortheFraserValley completion fortheCapitalRegional ditional growthstrategiesarenearing Central Okanagan(2000).Twoad (2000), andtheRegionalDistrictof the ThompsonNicolaRegionalDistrict Regional DistrictofNanaimo(1997), couver RegionalDistrict(1996),the been approvedintheGreaterVan Four regionalgrowthstrategieshave REGIONAL GROWTHSTRATEGIES implement transit-oriented development. among theplanningtoolsavailabletohelp us regional transportation plans,andOCPsare travel distances.Regionalgrowthstrategies, use, providetravelalternatives, andshorten that curbrelianceonsingle-occupancyvehicle (TDM) includesapproachestotransportation streets). Transportation demandmanagement instead ofdriving(e.g.,throughintegrated figuration thatencourageswalkingandcycling system. They alsopromoteacommunitycon mix essentialtosupportingaregionaltransit provide thehousing,employment, andservice Integrated land-useandtransportationpolicies Transportation Planning Right –IntegratedLand-Useand strategy willbecarriedout. how certainaspectsofaregionalgrowth governments. Itspellsoutthedetailsof regional districtandlocalother written understandingbetweenthe An ImplementationAgreement the regionalgrowthstrategy. principles, andprogramsthatsupport region. Theydescribethelocalpolicies, completed byeachmunicipalityina Regional ContextStatements objectives. economic, andenvironmental a region’scommonsocial, of atleasttwentyyearsandthatreflects regional visionthatspansatimeframe A RegionalGrowthStrategy isa are isa - - - - global climatechange.In1997Canada are aprimaryfactorcontributingto Dramatic increasesinGHGemissions Emissions Air Quality:TravelBehaviourandGHG resources atthelocallevel. environmental, economic,andcultural for theprotectionandmanagementof enables ustofindmoreeffectivetools tween transportationandlanduse considers theimportantrelationshipbe munities. Collectively,thislegislation governance andplanningforBCcom Act pointtowardsmorecomprehensive ing reformstotheLocalGovernment the FishProtectionAct,1997;andongo ver TransportationAuthorityAct,1998; Legislation suchastheGreaterVancou ecologically, andeconomicallysound. land resourcesinwaysthataresocially, directives forimprovingair,water,and ning levels,isbeginningtointegrate particularly athigherstrategicplan landscape isbecomingcleareraspolicy, The pictureofamoresustainableBC Comprehensive Policies Supporting GrowthStrategies:More growth strategiesintheirOCP wards thepurposeandgoalsofregional nicipalities areencouragedtowork 875 oftheLocalGovernmentAct,mu 14. 13. 12. 11. Support settlement patterns that min It is worth notingthat,asperSection ship Provide responsibleheritagesteward tion of energy Promote the efficient use and conservarural open spaces Preserve, create, and link urban andimize risks of natural hazards 16 s. ------through anurbangrowthcontainment cies forpromotingconcentratedgrowth District ofNanaimo(1997)includespoli regional growthstrategiesandOCPs. of whichcanbeoperationalizedthrough demand managementstrategies,both ed landusepoliciesandtransportation transportation-related GHGsareintegrat able tolocalgovernmentsforreducing British Columbia’sGHGemissions. vehicle, willhaveasignificanteffecton tions, andloweringtotalemissionsper reducing distancesbetweendestina ance uponthesingle-occupancyvehicle, tion policiesthatfocusoncurbingreli total emissions). in theprovinceistransportation(41%of single largestsourceofGHGemissions to 6%below1990levelsby2012.The mit CanadatoreduceGHGemissions When ratified,thisagreementwillcom greenhouse gasemissionsby5.2%. trialized countrieswillcollectivelyreduce the KyotoProtocolunderwhichindus was among160nationsthatnegotiated comprises only3%ofthetotalmodal still dominates.Nanaimo’stransituse development ofconventionalsuburbs in municipalitiessuchasNanaimo,the these policiespointintherightdirection, places towalkandcycle.However,while and providingsafeconvenient demand management(TDM)programs, ing intransitandothertransportation mixed-use formsofdevelopment,invest policies forencouragingmorecompact, regional growthstrategy(2000)includes Regional DistrictofCentralOkanagan’s is givenpriorityovercars. where accessbyfoot,bicycle,andtransit includes policiesforenhancingmobility, nodes. Inaddition,thegrowthstrategy boundary andthedevelopmentofurban The regionalgrowthstrategyforthe Among the strongest policy tools avail 17 Alternative transporta 18 Similarly, the ------ 2 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 1 2 Site Design for BC Communities 0 vehicle). charges (i.e.,basedonpollutantlevelof a parkingtax,andimposingvehicle and walkingnetworks,implementing improving regionalandlocalbicycle include increasingtransitinvestment, goals. TDMpoliciesoutlinedintheplan will supportregionalgrowthstrategy next fiveyears,regionaltransportation presents ablueprintforhow,overthe Strategic TransportationPlan In early 2000, Translink produced its 4. IncreaseTransportationChoice 3. Achieve a Compact Metropolitan2. BuildCompleteCommunities Region LRSP policiesaddressfourprimarygoals: Livable RegionStrategicPlan growth strategy,the ity) inordertomeettheGVRD’sregional on demandmanagementandairqual infrastructure (withanadditionalfocus of transportation-relatedservicingand on responsibilityforthemanagement Under itsmandate,Translinkhastaken by asingleagencyknownasTranslink. between them),theyarenowmanaged (with avaryingdegreeofcoordination being managedbyseparateagencies major roads,andbridges.Ratherthan of GreaterVancouver’stransitsystem, effectively realignedthemanagement portation Authority(GVTA)Act,which passed theGreaterVancouverTrans ity. In1998,theprovincialgovernment tion ofaregionaltransportationauthor been institutionalized through the forma use andtransportationplanninghas share isevenlower,at2%. in Vancouver. split forworktrips,comparedto23.7% 1. ProtecttheGreenZone Within theGVRD,coordinatedland 21 19 InKelowna,thetransit Greater Vancouver (LRSP).The , 20 which - - - - covering theplanning,management, in significantchangestothelegislation BC water-basedresourceshasresulted The risingconcernoverthefutureof Fish ProtectionandWaterQuality RecreationalBenefitsofWater 3. 2. 1. on thefollowingthreeprimarygoals: The strategyandactionplansalsofocus Education and Awareness 7. Public Prevention 6. Pollution Principle 5. Precautionary Pays 4. User 3. Stewardship 2. Sustainability 1. EcosystemIntegrity Principles: the seven strategy andactionplansareguidedby of Environment,LandsandParks),the and AirProtection(formerlytheMinistry istered bytheMinistryofWater,Land legislation inBritishColumbia.Admin implementation offreshwater-related a frameworkforthedevelopmentand with theFreshwaterActionPlan,forms egy wasreleasedin1999and,together planning anddecisionmaking.Thestrat stakeholders involvedinwaterresource years ofconsultationwithagenciesand 1993 andwasdevelopedoverseveral Columbia water qualityandquantity. aquatic systems,focusinguponboth ment, andenhancementoffreshwater comprehensive protection,manage policies haveemergedthataddressthe Over thepastdecade,anumberofcore and conservationofaquaticsystems. Sustainable Social,Economicand Assured HumanHealthandSafety Healthy AquaticEcosytems The FreshwaterStrategyforBritish was releasedindraftform Provincial FreshwaterStrategy - - - anism forprotectingstreamsideareas enacted theSPR,whichcreatesamech or workinnearstreamsareas. water licences,amendmentsto and fishhabitatbeforeapprovingnew ity forconsideringtheimpactsonfish egy. TheFPAprovideslegislativeauthor water StrategyandtheBCFisheriesStrat key componentofboththeBCFresh streams andfishhabitat. for protectingtheecologicalintegrityof most importantrecentlegislativetools Section 12oftheFPA)aretwo Regulation (SPR)(whichcomesunder more recentStreamsideProtection The FishProtectionAct(FPA)andthe Fish ProtectionAc and quantity of groundwater resources. systems anduponprotectingthequality ecological integrityofsensitivestream the effectofurbansettlementon as theyfocusspecificallyuponreducing of particularsignificancetothismanual fish stocks. tion ofstreamsideareas thatarevitaltosupporting Strategy. TheSPRsets newstandardsfortheprotec are partoftheBCFisheries StrategyandFreshwater (SPR) StreamsideProtectionPolicyDirectives (2001) The BCProvincialStreamProtectionRegulation Left hydrology. stream on urbanization of impacts the reducing at aimed are that Strategy Freshwater the under initiatives other to panion com a as intended is SPR the objectives, quality water and hydrology stream (1992). Protection oftheAquaticEnvironment the Land Development Guidelines for the tion. Itbuildsontheguidelinesfoundin a proactiveapproachtohabitatprotec and itrequireslocalgovernmentstotake side areasplayinprotectingfishstocks, recognizes theessentialrolethatstream mercial, andindustrialdevelopment. from theimpactsofresidential,com In early2001theprovinciallegislature Passed in1997,theFPAnowformsa Certain keypoliciesandprogramsare –StreamsideProtection 24 Whilenotdirectlyaddressing t 25 - - 23 - It - - 22 - - - - 2 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 1 2 Site Design for BC Communities 2 management objectives into their regional environmental protection and growth the provinceare increasingly integrating result, municipalitiesandregions across basin-wide goalsforsustainability. Asa twenty-five yearssupportregional and changes thathaveoccuredover thepast The scoresofhigher-orderlegislative Vision versusReality growth strategy. is consistentwiththeGVRD’sregional a coordinatedandefficientmannerthat ensure thatfuturegrowthcanoccurin central core).Thismeasureismeantto urban areas(i.e.,thoseoutsidethe Concept PlansforSurrey’semerging for thepreparationofNeighbourhood includes guidelinesandrequirements OCP fortheCityofSurrey,example, regional, andprovincialgoals.The growth inwaysthatsupportmunicipal, can beimportanttoolsforguiding levelplans neighbourhood and local- how recognizing are municipalities ment ofrunofffromdevelopedsites. surfaces aswellregulatethemanage land thatcanbecoveredbyimpervious the maximumpercentageofanarea watershed protectioncannowlimit governments concernedwithregional human activities. development aswellformanaging tools forregulatingnewland-useand More specifically,itprovidesimproved nomic qualityoftheircommunities. the environmental,social,andeco regulating land-usesthatmightaffect ments greaterflexibilitywithregardto It nowgiveslocalandregionalgovern planning andland-usemanagement. Act in2000.Part26ofthedealswith officially renamedtheLocalGovernment review oftheMunicipalAct,whichwas In 1997theprovincebegananextensive Governance Local in Directions New hancement: En and Protection Environmental growing threatstowaterquality. these addressing for direction provide that initiatives two just are (1999) Plan Action Pollution Source Non-point provincial the and (LWMPs) plans management waste liquid regional implementing and designing for ments require New development). urban and agriculture as (such sources non-point from and discharge) and treatment sewage and sites industrial as (such sources point from both groundwater, of pollution preventing and reducing include Strategy Freshwater the under quality water improving for Priorities Water Quality In addition to more general OCPs, OCPs, general more to addition In 26 Inthisvein,local - - 28 - - - staff. Wemustfindwaystoshareand particularly fordevelopersandmunicipal distributes riskforagentsofchange, stresses oninstitutionsandunevenly standards, howeverlogical,createsnew professional practice.”Changingthese them havebeeninstitutionalizedas“best is especially challenging because manyof be never achieved. may goals national even and critical. Without them, regional, provincial, are changes These emerge. have to slow been them) financing of methods with use, road, and subdivision by-laws (along land- level local to changes progressive opment. challenges ofsustainableurbandevel acceptable approachestomeetingthe a shifttowardsmorecoordinatedand policy makers.Indeed,theseeffortsmark sustainability issuesamongcitizensand are buildingasharedawarenessofurban initiatives (suchasSmartGrowthBC), non-governmental organization(NGO) groups togetherwithprovince-wide regime, community-basedstewardship service programs.Outsidetheregulatory practices togrowthmanagementand sustainable developmentprinciplesand increased dialogueontheneedtoapply government initiativeshaveresultedin federal, provincial,municipal,andnon- years, GVRDstrategiescoupledwith local communities.Overthepastfive sheds andthecorrespondinghealthof logical, andeconomichealthofwater relationships betweenthesocial,eco manage theimportantandnecessary consciousness andconcernoverhowto based planninginitiativesreflectarising Council, andemergingwatershed- Ecosystem Initiative,theFraserBasin the inter-governmentalGeorgiaBasin planning frameworks. growth strategies, OCPs, and other local gaps, andunequallysharedrisks. coming institutionalbarriers,regulatory one particularlyeffectivemodelforover direct proportiontothestakesinvolved. to characterizeourregulatoryprocessin ways to overcome the conflict that seems distribute theserisks.Wemustalsofind Changing local bylaws and standards Yet despite the growing awareness, awareness, growing the despite Yet Within theLowerMainlandRegion, In thesectionthatfollows,wedescribe - - - - District Renewal:ReformingRegionalGovernmentinBritish and resourcemanagement.SeeChrisGawronski,“Regional as muchofaconcernareissueseconomicdiversification regions ofBritishColumbia,whereissuesgrowtharenot Mainland, southernVancouverIsland,andInterior as theyrelatetoareasoutsidetherapidlyurbanizingLower 13 12 Environment Act,1992.s.4(1). 10 Ministry ofEnvironment,LandsandParks,1993),v. State oftheEnvironmentReportforBritishColumbia 9 Columbia, 1997). Land ReserveStatistics 8 1986). Survey Committee 7 Planning andAdministration13,2 6 Committee (Victoria:MinistryofMunicipalAffairs,1978),13. 5 Department ofMunicipalAffairs,1971). Districts inBritishColumbia,1971:GeneralReview 4 regional planningboards. amendments totheTownPlanningActofficiallyrecognized the MinistryofMunicipalAffairsin1947.Thefollowingyear, began withtheformationofRegionalPlanningDivision 3 2 Statutes AmendmentAct,1997). Columbia, Bill26(otherwiseknownastheLocalGovernment 1995 (Part25oftheLocalGovernmentAct,1995);British 1 Notes: 28 27 intro3.html> //www.marh.gov.bc.ca/GROWTH/PUBLICATIONS/BILL26/ and Women’sServices(MunicipalAffairs)website: 2 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 3 2 Site Design for BC Communities 2 British Columbia. Municipal Environmental Initiativesin and CompleteCommunities: AReporton and Curran, Local GovernmentLawandAdvocacy; Nolan etal., British Columbia. Municipal EnvironmentalInitiativesin Complete Communities:AReporton Curran, governments, pleasesee: of theregulatorytoolsavailabletolocal a morethoroughoverviewanddiscussion more sustainabledevelopmentinBC.For overview ofpoliciesandtoolstoinfluence *The abovetableprovidesacursory Policies ataGlance* Water People Air Environmental Stewardshipand Communities Complete andCompact Greenways Creation ofParks/ mentally SensitiveAreas Protection ofEnviron Stormwater Management Protection Water QualityandStream Complete Communities Compact LandUseand GHG EmissionReduction Goal Environmental Stewardship The SmartGrowthGuideto - Regulating Agency Municipalities Regional Districts Municipalities Regional Districts Municipalities Regional Districts Municipalities Municipalities and AirProtection(WLAP) Ministry ofWater,Land DFO Regional Districts Municipalities Regional Districts Municipalities sion Transportation Commis Greater Victoria BC Transit Translink - environmental protection ESA inventoriesandDPAdesignationfor Sensitive StreamDesignation tives) Streamside ProtectionRegulation(PolicyDirec Fish Protection Act Fisheries Act Regional GrowthStrategies OCP Policies Regional GrowthStrategies structure investment) and bicyclemovementpriorityforinfra OCP Policies (e.g.,priorityfortransit,pedestrian Parking By-laws Road-side TransitInfrastructureInvestment Traffic Calming Air Care Bicycle FacilitiesandRegionalCyclingPolicies Air-pollution By-laws Transportation DemandManagement Transit PriorityMeasures Agricultural LandReserve Alternative DesignStandardsandGuidelines Servicing Requirements Development CostCharges OCP policies(landuseandhousingmixtargets) Regional GrowthStrategies Development CostCharges Donation orDedicationuponSubdivision Dedication ofpubliclyownedland Municipal orRegionalParksDesignation Regional GrowthStrategies Municipal orRegionalParksDesignation Conservation Covenants environmental protection ESA inventoriesandDPAdesignationfor Tree ProtectionBy-law OCP Policies BMPs andBy-laws Watershed HealthClassificationSystem Liquid WasteManagementPlans Engineering BMPs Drainage By-laws Watercourse ProtectionBy-law ousness thresholdfornewdevelopment OCP policiesindicatingdegreeofimpervi Tools Transportation DemandManagement Growth ConcentrationArea Urban ContainmentBoundary Secondary suiteallowance Development PermitAreas Zoning by-laws Air QualityManagementPlans Integrated Land-usePolicies Road ChargesandFees Parking Taxes Trip ReductionServices Heritage By-laws Comprehensive DevelopmentZone Development PermitAreas Zoning By-laws(e.g.,smalllotzoning) Complete CommunityPolicies Regional HousingProjections Growth ConcentrationArea Urban ContainmentBoundary - - - 2 Part One – Policy and Planning and Policy – One Part 3 2 Site Design for BC Communities 4 includes: The textdescriptionofeachcharrette cludes the following baseline information: developing usefulevaluationstrategies. rich sourceofinformationandatoolfor community leaders,casestudiesarea to, difficultproblems.Forcitizensand studies offerstrategiesfor,andsolutions practitioners andpolicymakers,case will achieveasuccessfuloutcome.For those conditionsandprocessesthat a particularproblemandtoidentify there areseveralpossiblesolutionsto Case studiesenableustoshowthat CASE STUDIES briefs. posed byeachofthecharrettedesign teams resolvedthemultiplechallenges Illustrative plansshowhowthecharrette stitute.org/charrette.html National CharretteInstituteat Toward Neighbourhood and Regional Design Surrey DesignCharrette guide; ning anddevelopment:Designcharretteplanning please see:Crofton, For furtherresearchondesigncharrettes, Landscape Architecture.” please see:Francis,“ACaseStudyMethodfor of casestudymethodologyinthedesignprofessions, For amoredetaileddescriptionofthehistoryanduse FURTHER RESEARCH • • • • • • • • • • • Each of the four charrette case studies in • brief that informedthecharrettedesign an outlineoftheguidingpolicy ette text andbackgroundofthecharr- a descriptionofthepoliticalcon charrette participants charrette client site type charrette type charrette date charrette location lessons learned a summaryofconclusionsand performance measures a summaryofkeythresholdsand objectives a descriptionofthedesignbrief a summaryofcharretteobjectives Condon, Sustainable UrbanLandscapes:The Sustainable communityplan ; Kelbaugh, . http://www.charrettein Common Place: ; and the - - in thissectionasatime-limiteddesign charrettes usedtoproducethedesigns design charrettes.Wewoulddefinethe more modernandcollaborativeuseof of thisspiritintensityisretainedinour was togetazerofortheproject.Much state ofcompletion,fortofaildoso drawings ontothecartwhatevertheir the aisle.Studentshadtotosstheir French, a“charrette”)trundleddown the deadlinearrived,asmallcart(in completion ofdesignprojects.When expected tomeetstrictdeadlinesforthe in theSchoolofArchitecturewere Beaux ArtsinParis.Studentsenrolled a hundredyearsagoattheEcoledes The term“charrette”wascoinedover What isaCharrette? solutions. of sites,soaretheremanypotential Rather, justastherearemanytypes achieving more sustainable communities. show thatthereisnosingleformulafor These fourcasestudiesareintendedto 4. 3. 2. 1. They are: have incorporatedsustainableprinciples. T for Integration Charrettes asaProcess to thehealth ofother elements. systems, where each element contributes munities arefound inhealthyecological cally. Themodels forsustainablecom together harmoniouslyandsynergisti cal, social, and economic realms function integrated communitieswhere ecologi tainable communitiesare,by definition, new andretrofittedcommunities. fective toolforcreatingmore sustainable design charrettesasanexceptionallyef sionals haverecentlycometoregard Citizens, planners,anddesignprofes Why UseCharrettes? problem. answer toacomplexcommunitydesign strive toproduceamutuallyagreeable event inwhichadiversegroupofpeople Four CaseStudies East Clayton,Surrey,BC Coquitlam, BC Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam, Burnaby, BC Burnaby MountainCommunity, Southeast FalseCreek,Vancouver,BC of communitydesigncharrettesthat his sectionfeaturesfourcasestudies 2 Sus ------at thefootofamountain,andflatland top siteinafirst-ringsuburb,riverbluff an urbanbrownfieldsite,amountain- distinct sites.Thecharrettesitesinclude sign charretteswithinthecontextoffour profile fourdifferentapplicationsofde and pressingchallengesbeforeus. in needofgoodanswerstothecomplex good one.Ourregionandourworldare of theissuesontable,atleastavery ten produce, if not a perfect answer to all community. Designcharrettesmostof elements ofacompleteandsustainable ensures thatitispossibletointegratethe designed charrette,andhumancreativity planning methodisrequired. an integratedandecologicaldesign the elementsofoururbanecology,then However, if our objective is to reintegrate not necessarywithinsuchacontext. dis-integrated fashion.Charretteswere were dealtwithinapiecemealand stream protection,orcapitalplanning and beyond. communities inotherareas,regionally a replicablemodelfordevelopingsimilar a newtypeofcommunityandtocreate tended bothtoprovideaclearvisionfor key astheEastClaytoncharrettewasin community inSurrey.Thislastpointis principles ofsustainabilityinanactual and physicalmodelfordemonstrating was initiatedtodeveloparegulatory Clayton “implementationcharrette” of theCoquitlamRiver.Finally,East for asensitivehillsidesiteontheshores infrastructure-based communityplan specialists inthedevelopmentofagreen design, engineering,andenvironmental charrette” involved an integrated team of community. TheRiverwalk“consultant develop themasterplanfornew selection ofthedesignteamthatwould also highlyvisionaryandfacilitatedthe “design teamselection”charrettewas planning policy.TheBurnabyMountain waterfront sitewithinthecontextofcity ary modelsfortheretrofitofanurban response totheneeddevelopvision False Creek“visioning”charrettewasa suburban greenfieldsite.TheSoutheast The charrettecasestudiesthatfollow All issuesare“onthetable”atawell In thepast,issuesofhousingequity, - - - - 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 2 Site Design for BC Communities 4 4 HeadwatersProject: 3 RiverwalkontheCoquitlam: 2 BurnabyMountainCommunity: 1 SoutheastFalseCreek: Above rette (pgs.26-31). Far right charrette (pgs.41-49). Near right public realm. a diversityofhousing,andcreatingvibrant natural systems,establishingamixofusesand as increasingdensity,protectingandrestoring of themostchallengingplanningissuessuch effective wayofgettingpublicsupportforsome site-specific projects.Theyareanincreasingly term visiontofindingworkableagreements reaching aconsensusoncommunity’slong- Charrettes focusonmanythings,rangingfrom complex problemswithinashortperiodoftime. a mutuallyagreeduponsolutiontosetof events inwhichparticipantsstrivetoreach Charrettes areinterdisciplinary,creative Below : SoutheastFalseCreekvisioningchar : EastClaytonimplementation ImplementationCharrette VisioningCharrette ConsultantsCharrette DesignTeamSelectionCharrette 1 - 2 3 4 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 2 Site Design for BC Communities 6 waterfront. undeveloped portionoftheFalseCreek forty hectareparcelisthelastremaining the NorthShoremountains.Thealmost of downtownVancouver,StanleyPark, and Southeast FalseCreekagainstthebackdrop Above and onothersites. scenrios thatcouldbeusedbothhere while exploringinnovativeurbandesign existing policyobjectivesforthesite an idealwaytotestthefeasibilityof the area.Acharrettewasconsidered within thecontextofexistingpolicyfor the southeastshoresofFalseCreek for asustainableneighbourhoodon Planning Divisioninclarifyingavision City ofVancouver’sCentralArea Charrette wasinitiatedtoassistthe The SoutheastFalseCreekDesign VISIONING CHARRETTE 1 October 1998 Charrette Date Kwan; SaraMuir;MichaelWilkes Students: VaroujGumuchian;Lisa (Australia);David Negrin;UBC Chris Phillips;CynthiaMitchell Bob Worden; PatrickCondon; Team One Charrette Participants Southeast FalseCreek : Bob Yaro (New York); Kurnicki; DimitriSamaridis Baldwin Hum;MichaelToolin;Alex Ray Spaxman;UBCStudents: Quayle; LeeHatcher;JeffHarold; (Ottawa); JaneDurante;Moura Team Two: Department City ofVancouverPlanning Charrette Client Ian Carter; Doug Polland Peter Walsh Phillips; LucSt.Laurent;CecliaAchiam; Ralph Segal;UBCStudents:Pamela (Denver);Ian Theaker;KrishKrishnan; Walkey ;CatherineBerris;BillWenk, Team Three: Visioning Charrette Type NigelBaldwin;Ron 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 2 Site Design for BC Communities 6 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. hood: the SoutheastFalseCreekneighbour the councilidentifiedsevenprioritiesfor at other areas within the city. Specifically, and energyefficiencythanhadbeenmet standard ofenvironmentalsustainability dinary emphasisonmeetingahigher its planningstafftoplaceanextraor last majorparcelonthecreek.Itdirected authorize thedevelopmentofSEFC, thing abitdifferentwhenitcametimeto Vancouver CityCouncilwastodosome redevelopment initiatives.However, most closelywatchedurbanbrownfields ment thathasbecomeNorthAmerica’s False Creek;aringofurbandevelop sity residentialdevelopmentsurrounding – wouldcompletethecircleofhigh-den ferred toasSoutheastFalseCreek(SEFC) This lastthirty-six-hectareparcel–re home forover20,000Vancouverites. for permanentresidents)wastobecome to sawmills,withonlynightwatchmen everything fromrailyards,toshipyards, had been100%industrial(containing with thislastparcel,awaterfrontthat occurring foraboutthirtyyears,and, residential uses.Thisrezoninghadbeen zoned FalseCreekshorefrontforlargely maining thirty-sixhectaresofindustrially O adjacent toVancouver’s CentralArea. Housing shouldbeincreased the needforcommuting. the communityinordertoreduce Job sitesshouldbeintegratedinto rated. A streetcarlineshouldbeincorpo- able communities. learn aboutbuildingmoresustain- The areashouldbecomeaplaceto should bedesignedtosaveenergy. Buildings andtransportationsystems for familiesshouldbeapriority. and couplespredominates,housing Creek, wherehousingforsingles In contrasttootherportionsofFalse housing. The landshouldbemostlyusedfor Council votedtorezonethelastre n 26October1995,VancouverCity - - - - - - - - that wouldbethe“rulesforgame” the planningandpolicydocuments set thewheelsinmotiontoproduce With councilauthorization,Citystaff Guiding Policy equal weightwith density,openspace, and economic sustainability objectives Vancouver gave environmental,social, it markedthefirsttimethat Cityof Group.The documentisunique inthat sion withamultistakeholderAdvisory through anextended,facilitated discus was developedoverseveralmonths ture development.Thepolicy document SEFC policydocumenttohelpguidefu foundation, thecitydevelopedanofficial Using thepreviousdocumentsasa Development (1999) bourhood: APolicyStatementtoGuide Southeast FalseCreekSustainableNeigh Policy Statement. False CreekSustainableNeighbourhood its informationintotheofficialSoutheast Department laterincorporatedmuchof ficial policydocument,theCityPlanning designs. Whilethisstudywasnotanof native buildingandneighbourhood economic informationregardingalter accounting asabasisforredeveloping precedents; andaframeworkforfull-cost of exemplarysustainablecommunity planning anddevelopment;adatabank performance targetstoguidesustainable consultants, andthewidercommunity; definition ofsustainabilityforCitystaff, was designedtoprovide:aworking ing Plandiscussedabove.Thestudy to misgivingsabouttheCreeksideLand to producethisstudy,partlyinresponse ment commissionedtheSheltairGroup The CityofVancouverPlanningDepart (1998) Guidelines forSoutheastFalseCreek mentally SustainableDevelopment Visions, Tools,andTargets:Environ this pollutedsite. enough capitaltopayforcleaningup of FalseCreekcouldthecitygenerate was usedsuccessfullyonthenorthshore ing theurbandevelopmentformulathat towers. Theyfeltthatonlybyemploy by twenty-story-plusresidentialpoint consultants proposedaplandominated on thenorthsideofFalseCreek.The the patternofdevelopmenttakingplace SEFC should,inmostrespects,mimic ment, arguedthattheurbandesignfor City ofVancouverRealEstateDepart Consultants Inc.atthebehestof development consultantStanleyKwok This plan,submittedtocouncilbythe The CreeksideLandingPlan(1997 documents included: during thedevelopmentofSEFC.These 3 4 ) 2 ------with theproposedpolicieswouldbelike. of what a community built in conformance the largercommunitywithdifferentvisions To providecouncil,staff,consultantsand SEFC charrettewas: design charrette.Theprimarygoalofthe Associates to organize and run a four-day gaged theORCADGroupInc.andPMC of VancouverPlanningDepartmenten charrette. Inthespringof1998City context forlaunchingtheSEFCdesign The policyframeworkprovidedthe Charrette GoalsandObjectives sustainable manner.” support [residents’]choicestoliveina health andeconomicprosperity,soasto of socialequityandlivability,ecological and balancethehighestpossiblelevels neighbourhood “designedtomaintain ity: ItstatedthatSEFCwouldbecomea and dynamicapproachtosustainabil the policystatement,embodiesaholistic The visionforthesite,asexpressedin transportation, andland-useobjectives. rette teams. Design team members were into a set of design instructions for char quences for the site and translated them principles that had direct physical conse extracted performanceobjectives and and citizeninput.Charretteorganizers developed throughyearsofprofessional the implicationsofpolicythat hadbeen was conceivedasatoolforexploring above. Thispointiskey,asthecharrette from thepolicydocumentsoutlined The SEFCDesignBriefwasdeveloped Design Brief • • • • • objectives forthecharrette: suggested thefollowingmorespecific tives fromcitycouncildiscussedabove, This goal,andtheOctober1995direc residents aswelleducatetheworld didactic sothatSEFCcanserveits of thesitebothtransparentand To makethesustainabilityfunctions sustainability andliveability To illuminatetheconnectionbetween used asprototypesforothersites) (these typologieswouldthenbe the planninganddesignofthissite urban typologiesinordertoguide To establishnew,moresustainable in thefieldofsustainabledesign and viewpointswithoutsideexperts BC designerscanexchangeideas To createasettinginwhichleading any attemptismadetoapplythem be manifestinurbandesignbefore the performancetargetsthatwould of the proposed policy statement and T o testtheefficacyofthoseaspects 6 5 - - - - - 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 2 Site Design for BC Communities 8 • • instructed to: construction methods.Teams were site design,buildingtechnologies, and the incorporationofmoresustainable Key objectivesinthiscategoryaddressed 3. BuildingDesignandPerformance • • • • • strategies thatwould: street, block,building,andparceldesign Design teammembersweretopropose 2. TheBuiltEnvironmen • • • • • • • site. Objectivesincluded: to maintaintheecologicalhealthof Design teammemberswerechallenged 1. LandandWater of these objectives isprovidedbelow. Cycles of Growth and Decay. A summary Building Design and Performance, and (4) and Water, (2) the Built Environment, (3) in the following four categories: (1) Land challenged to meet or exceed objectives • view corridors withinthesite sothat Maintain existing and/orcreatenew site havegoodsolar orientation Ensure that75%ofbuildingsonthe space perresidentialunit Provide amaximumofoneparking Street” core alongapedestrian-friendly“High the communityheartandcommercial Consider possibilitiesforintegrating and 35%familyhousing) tenures (i.e.,20%low-incomehousing Provide amixofhousingtypesand Provide spaceforatleast1,000jobs space) for eachfifteenfeetofresidential space (onefootofcommercial Provide 200,000squarefeetofoffice gross FSRof1.6 square feetofresidentialspace)anda Floor SpaceRatio(FSR)of3(300,000 of forty-fiveunitsperacrewithanet Accommodate anoverallsitedensity treated onsite Ensure that25%ofsolidwasteis open space/1,000people Provide 2.75acresof“sustaining” habitat value Ensure that60%ofgreenspacehas of roofsareplanted Design buildingssothatatleast25% habitat value Ensure that80%offoreshorehas surface that atleast50%ofthesiteispervious In ordertoallowforinfiltration,ensure discharge the siteorcleancompletelybefore Hold andabsorb100%ofrainwateron t scope oftheeventitself,issuessuchas example, whileextendingfarbeyondthe the possibilitiesforasustainablesite.For continued discussionanddebateabout SEFC communitywhilealsoprovoking policy frameworkforasustainable design proposalconformstothecity’s two ofthemostimportantexpressions. the PolicyStatementdocumentswere which theDevelopmentGuidelinesand well groundedinresearchandpolicy,of ceived charrettes,theSEFCcharrettewas As shouldbethecasewithallwell-con and potentiallyenrichedthroughdesign. framework couldbetested,explored, means throughwhichanexistingpolicy The SEFCvisioningcharretteprovideda Conclusions andLessonsLearned • • • • lowing: and toproposewaysofmeetingthefol and decayinherentintheurbansystem and capitalizeonthecyclesofgrowth Design teammembersweretoanticipate 4. CyclesofGrowthandDecay • • • activity. in ordertofinance expensivecleanup ect toproduce short-termeconomicgain pected pressuresonadevelopment proj for cleanup–costswhichcan putunex sites, whichoftenhaveadditional costs important issueinthecaseof brownfield sustainability theory.Thisisa particularly emerging economicmodelsgrounded in the economicpotentialsofaprojectand established practicesfordetermining to reconcilethegapbetweencurrently rette becameavenueforexploringhow existing policydirectives.Thusthechar a carefulreadingofthedesignbriefand charrette teams,whowereinformedby ing werewrestledwithbyeachofthe economic feasibilityandlife-cyclecost While distinctinform,eachurban tion ofproduceonsite to grow12.5%oftheiryearlyconsump Provide spaceandsupportforresidents clippings, foliage)tosoils Return allgreenwaste(i.e.,grass composting system Consider placementofneighbourhood city 20% ofthepercapitaaveragefor Reduce solidwastegoingtolandfills taic, solarhotwater,andgeothermalenergy) is producedonsite(i.e.,throughsolarvol Ensure thatatleast5%ofrenewableenergy renewable sources Ensure that90%ofenergyisfrom orientation whilealsomeetingdensitytargets address solarorientation,views,andground Propose buildingheightlimitsthat people canseethesurroundinglandscape - - - - - - City ofVancouver,1998). Southeast FalseCreekCharrette: DesignBrief 6 5 Planning Department,1999). Creek PolicyStatement 4 and CityofVancouverPlanningDepartment, 1998). Southeast FalseCreek”(Vancouver,BC:Sheltair GroupInc. Environmentally SustainableDevelopmentGuidelines for 3 Consultants, Inc.,1997). – SoutheastFalseCreek”(Vancouver,BC:Stanley Kwok 2 Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2001). Highlight SocioEconomicSeries–Issue81(Ottawa: Canada Density SustainableUrbanDevelopment.”CMHCResearch “Southeast FalseCreekDesignCharrette:ExploringHigh City ofVancouverandTheORCADConsultingGroupInc. more discussionontheSEFCcharretteprocess,pleasesee: to furtherrefinethevisionandthusinformfuturepolicy.For design process,andtousetheresultingplansproposals to testthisexistingvisionthroughaninformed,exploratory We usethetermtoemphasizehowthischarrettewasused extensive policybasethatinformedthecharrettedesignbrief. involved awiderangeofstakeholders,andresultedinthe visioning stagebeganlongbeforethecharretteevent, informing policy.IntheSEFCprocess,community directions concerningtheircommunityasonemeansof stakeholders articulatebroadgoals,aspirationsandfuture stage ofcommunityinvolvement,inwhich theory, theterm“visioning”commonlyconnotesaspecific 1 Notes: growth. efforts towardsmoresustainableurban proposals aspolicytoolstoguidefuture and electedofficialscannowusethese sustainable futuresforthesite.Citizens clearly envisionapictureofalternative evaluate existingpolicyandtomore groups, cityofficials,anddevelopersto which allowedcommunitystakeholder rette producedthreedesignproposals, sustainable communities.TheSEFCchar laboratively producescenariosformore SEFC allowaregion’sbestmindstocol multiple policyobjectivesforanarea. effective toolforexploringhowtomeet quite difficult.Thecharrettehasbeenan but sustainableurbandensitiesisoften for developmentofthesesitesathigh quently, gainingunanimoussupport heart ofmaturecommunities.Conse very prominentandvaluedsitesatthe City ofVancouverPlanningDepartment, The ORCADConsulting GroupInc.andPMCAssociates, Ibid., 8. Sheltair GroupInc.,“Visions,ToolsandTargets: Stanley KwokConsultantsInc.,“CreeksideLanding Within thecontextofparticipatorycommunityplanning In sum,visioningcharrettessuchas In addition,brownfieldsitesareoften (Vancouver,BC:CityofVancouver Southeast False (Vancouver, BC: - - - 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 2 Site Design for BC Communities 8 2 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 3 Site Design for BC Communities 0 The ORCADConsulting GroupInc.,1998). False CreekVancouver, BC Fiona Crofton, *Charrette teamsummaries adaptedfrom: Southeast FalseCreek Illustrative Plans Charrette Synopsis:Southeast (Vancouver,BC: domestic hot water could be supplied by solar energy. energy issues in detail, estimating that, with the right building orientation and design, 50% to 60% of the centre of the site, and lower-density residential and parkland to the site’s west. The team explored residential totheeast,a“communityfocus”(with the school being part of a mixed-use building) at townhouses inthewest.Theydividedcommunityintothreeprimarysubdistricts–high-density – rangingfromten-tothirty-storeyhigh-risesintheeasternportionofsite,two-four-storey design thatis“car-tolerant,notcar-driven.”Thisteamdesignedarangeofbuild that servetoquicklyreducevehicleaccessasonemovesfurtherintothesite,TeamTwocreateda with thesiteandthatechoedgesofshoreinlet.Byprovidingahierarchyaccessibilityroutes into moremeanderingpassagewaysthatprovideopportunitiesfordifferentkindsofengagement ensured thatpaths/roadwaysquicklybecame“idiosyncratic.”Traditionallinearroutesaretransformed Team Twoacceptedtheexistinggridpatternatentryofsitebut,oncepastedge, Team Two:Idiosyncrasy–ExploringtheSpacesBetween “softer” andmorenaturaledgethatwillprovidehabitatforarangeofbirdssmallmammals. every portionofthecommunityandlinkdistrictwithseawall,whichisredesignedtooffera a newboathouse/multipurposecentrewillbesituatedonthewaterfront.Greenspacesreachinto city’s futureeconomy.ThepreservedhistoricDomtarBuildingwillfunctionasthetownhall,and making theentiredevelopmenta“virtualincubator”fornewindustriesthatwillformcoreof the southeastcornerofsite.Thedesignaccommodatesabroadrangelive-workopportunities, blocks atthesouthernedgeofsitefacingFirstAvenue,andtwotwelve-storeyhigh-risetowers with children.Higherdensityresidentialdwellingsareaccommodatedinmid-risefi residences providegroundaccesstogardens,courtyardsandstreetsareattractivefamilies residential unitsweredesignedasfour-storeytownhousesalongatraditionalblockpattern.These car is“embraced,notbanned”withoutneglectingtheneedsofpedestriansandcyclists.Many Team oneviewedthesiteasa“TownforPost-MotorAge,”anditsawstreetsplaceswhere opportunities to “get off the grid” and to acquire a more intimatesenseofindividualneighbourhoods. angle oforientationatthemid-westpointsite.Lesslinearpedestrianandcyclistroutesprovide Team Oneacceptedthestandardgridstreetpatternofsurroundingurbanfabricbutshifted Team One:SomethingBorrowed,New* to meetmarketdemand. nodes (e.g.,around thecommunitycentre)withinbuildings designedasfl Commercial lifewill eventuallyexistalongFirst andSecondAvenueswillcongregate atseveral could utilizequickly evolvingsoilremediationtechnology forthelatterstagesofde approach is suggested, resulting in a “holding pattern” for the ecologically sensitive western zone that internal courtyardsprovideforhigher densityaccommodation.Aneast-westphaseddevelopment with childrenthroughoutthesite.Seven- toeight-storeybuildings with doubleloadedcorridorsand per buildingblock,providingahigh proportionofground-orientedresidencesattractivetofamilies and-a-half-storey townhousecomplexes). Upto128160dwellingunitscouldbeac parcels, witheachparcelaccommodating fourtoeightbuildingunits(primarilyintheformofthree- uses atraditionalVancouvercityblock asthebasic“buildingblock.”Blockscontainsixteentotwenty automobile accesswasto“acceptthecarbut controlit...[notto]bemasteredbyit.”Theproposal creating unbrokenvistasbetweentheirpointsoforiginandtermination.Thisteam’sapproachto Team Three’sdesigncontinuesthenorth-south,east-westcitygridpattern throughoutthesite, Team Three:EmbracingTraditionalForm exible spacethatcan adapt ing heightsonthesite ve- tosix-storey commodated velopment. 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 1 3 Site Design for BC Communities 0 Southeast FalseCreek Illustrative Plans 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 1 3 Site Design for BC Communities 2 proposals for the 160 acre site. two-day periodtoproducefour design engineers) competedoveranintensive top architects,landscapeand design teams(madeupofVancouver’s open designselectionprocess.Four issues aswellforprovidingarelatively for addressinganumberofdifficultsite charrette wasconsideredanidealstrategy at thetopofBurnabyMountain.A for anewcommunity10,000residents eventually completeadevelopmentplan the selectionofadesignteamthatwould design charrettewasinitiatedtoassistin The BurnabyMountainCommunity DESIGN TEAM SELECTION within itscircumference. connects the1,000-acre universitylands circulation “ringroad” bothsurroundsand the eastportionof the campus.Themain the universityquadrangle,whichanchors and socialcomponentsaligntomeet with the ridgeline.Alongthisridge,allacademic laid outinaneast-westdirection,following surrounding landscape.Themainspine is the hillsideterraces,spreadinginto the mountain,cuttingandsteppingdown designed toreflectthenaturalterrain of buildings, playfields,roadsandpathswere the fabricofmountaintop,where concept integratedthecampusinto Arthur EriksonandGeoffreyMassey.Their SFU wasdesignedin1963byarchitects Above CHARRETTE Burnaby MountainCommunity Enkon EnrionmentalLtd. Urbanics ConsultantsLtd. Perry +Associates Architects/IBI Group Henriquez Partners Team One: Charrette Participants February 2000 Charrette date Harris Hudema ning Inc. Brook DevelopmentPlan N.D. LeaAssociates Services Ltd. Coast RiverEnvironmental Ltd. McElhanney Engineering Ltd. Design and Planning Vaughan Landscape Inc. with MatsuzakiArchitects Architects inassociation Davidson YuenSimpson Team Two: Michael Geller,President Community Corporation, Burnaby Mountain Charrette Client - Illustrations Nowarre &Badkerhanian Ramsay WordenArchitects Urban SystemsInc. Consultants Inc. The SheltairGroupResources Inc. Phillips Farevaag SmallenbergHunter LairdEngineering Lanarc ConsultantsLtd. CH2M Gore&StorieLtd. Enkon Environmental Coriolis ConsultingCorp. Planning &Architecture association withCornerstone Hotson BakkerArchitects,in Team Three: Design TeamSelection Charrette Type Consultants Ltd. Gaherty Environmental Associates; Pottinger Kerr WoodLeidal Bunt &Associates Harris Hudema Communications Main Street Philips WuoriLong Hruda ofCivitasInc. Architect andJoseph tion withBarryDowns Architectura, inassocia Team Four: - 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 3 3 Site Design for BC Communities 2 2. Toprovideabasis forinteractionbe-tween 1. Togenerateawiderangeofideas toguide tives oftheBMCCdesigncharrette were: design charretteforthesite.The objec and conductedaweek-longcommunity Community Plan,theBMCCplanned towards implementingtheSFUOfficial Early intheyear2000,asafirststep The DesignCharretteProcess their ecologicalfunctions. the surroundingforestandstreams would bedesignedwithfullrespectfor claim.” in amannerworthyofinternationalac and academicsuccessoftheUniversity facilities, andbuildonthearchitectural with theexistingandfutureUniversity community would“closelyintegrate revenue tosupporttheuniversity. endowment fundandothersourcesof sity development,and(2)toestablishan complements existingandfutureuniver to establishacompletecommunitythat ated theBMCCtoachievetwogoals:(1) SFU. TheSFUBoardofGovernorscre of landimmediatelysouthandeast and developmentofa160acreportion lished in1998tooverseetheplanning Corporation (BMCC),anentityestab bility ofBurnabyMountainCommunity Mountain Communityistheresponsi ing forupto10,000residents. new mixed-usecommunitywithhous the “BurnabyMountainCommunity,”a that authorizedtheuniversitytodevelop of BurnabyapprovedanOCPforSFU In partialexchangeforthisland,theCity reserves intheLowerMainlandregion. ated oneofthemostsignificantnatural parkland inperpetuity.Thetransfercre and wastoremainaspubliclyaccessible land layoutsideoftheSFU“ringroad” This undevelopedandlargelyforested land fromSFUtotheCityofBurnaby. nounced thetransferof332hectares and SimonFraserUniversity(SFU)an O future planningoptions The BMCCprinciplesstatethatthe The developmentoftheBurnaby government, theCityofBurnaby, n 26November1995theprovincial Most important,thecommunity ------ - 3. cess spawneda visionstatementforthe various stakeholders atSFU.Thispro there wasongoing consultationwith Prior totheestablishmentof BMCC, holders ledtothecreationof the BMCC. Extensive consultationwithkey stake Mountain A VisionforaCommunityon Burnaby stormwater management. waste collection,andwatercourse bicycle networks,watersupply,sewers, services, includingroads,pedestrianand It alsoaddressestheprovisionofnew courses, trees,vegetation,andwildlife. environmental issuesrelatedtowater services. Itgivesspecialattentionto community facilities,andcommercial requirements fornewschoolsites,parks, bourhoods). TheOCPalsostipulates neighborhoods (EastandSouthNeigh to 4,536housingunitsintwomajor ment, includinganallowanceforup parameters fornewresidentialdevelop ring road.Theplanestablishesthe to enabledevelopmentwithintheSFU will formthebasisforrezoninglands ing principlesforthecommunityand The OCP munity Plan(OCP)(1996) The SimonFraserUniversityOfficialCom below werethemostimportant. ments. Ofthesedocuments,thoselisted variety ofpertinentpublicpolicydocu disparate policyobjectivescontainedina brief weredistilledfromhundredsof public policies.Instructionsinthedesign conformance withpreviouslyapproved the resultifacommunitywerebuiltin in thismanual,showedwhatwouldbe This charrette,liketheothersfeatured Guiding Policy to developingtheland. permits wererequiredasaprecondition BMCC securewhateverdevelopment charrette. Thisteamwouldalsohelpthe master planforthecommunityafter and engineerstodevelopadetailed ners, landscapearchitects, of thefourteamsprofessionalplan this manual.BMCCplannedtohireone charrette fromtheothersreviewedin This lastobjectivedistinguishestheSFU 4. sustainable community zoning by-lawrequirementsas the basis for a To testtheSFUOfficialCommunityPlanand other specialinterestgroups,andtheBMCC the designteams,universitycommunity, development subdivision applicationforthefirstphaseof development andland-useplanaswella iplinary teamtooverseethepreparationofa To assistintheselectionofaninterdisc 2 sets outthebasicgovern 1 ------ Within thecontextofitsbroaderman ration PlanningPrinciples Burnaby MountainCommunityCorpo existing forestedareas. and topreserve,asmuchpossible, headwaters locatedneartheuniversity need toprotectanumberofstream habitat. Thesereportshighlightedthe the area’saquatic,avian,andterrestrial ing andprotectingspecialfeaturesof important reportsfocusingonidentify the coreprinciplesfromanumberof The designbriefalsoincorporated Environmental Reports contained inthedesigncharrettebrief. ples informedthecoredesignprinciples the originalcampusplan.Theseprinci that complementstheoneforeseenin ly sensitive,sociallydiversecommunity principles forcreatinganenvironmental constituents. Thevisioncontainsspecific community membersandSFU’srelated needs, desires,andaspirationsofSFU new community,whichexpressedthe • • • opment ofthe160acresite: planning principlestoguidethedevel Michael Geller,developedthefollowing date, theBMCC,underdirectionof • designs intothemountainside setting the university;integratingnew building enhances thearchitecturalcharacter of and massingthatcomplements axis orspine;developingbuildingforms master plananditsprimarycirculation buildings thatrespondstotheoriginal by: developingapatternofstreetsand Respect thearchitecturalintegrityofSFU community’s transportationstrategy networks asvalidcomponentsofthe and emphasizesbicyclepedestrian design ofroadsandparkingprovisions; importance oftheautomobilein especially ofcommuters;reducesthe for managingtransportationdemands, sonal automobileuse;identifiesmeans tions that:encouragestransitoverper Develop arangeoftransportationop uses with residentialandresearch/university fice, healthcare,andrecreationaluses tegrating avarietyofretail,service,of- Create a“completecommunity”byin to awiderangeofhouseholds dominium ownershipinordertoappeal housing, individualownership,andcon including rentalhousing,cooperative Provide awiderangeofhousingchoices 3 ------ - - - 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 3 3 Site Design for BC Communities 4 • • • “university community”thatfitsthesite. 1. EquityandVibrancy each ofthesecategoriesincluded: jectives andperformancetargetsunder Economy, and (4) Education. Specific ob Vibrancy, (2)EcologicalFunction,(3) into fourbroadtopics:(1)Equityand for thesite,designbriefwasdivided Using thevisionsandpolicyobjectives Design Brief • est. and enhancethesite’sstreamsfor and peoplefriendly”designsthatprotect 2. EcologicalFunction • • • Neighbourhood shouldnotexceed10 • to theoriginaluniversitymasterplan; munity design,andcirculationthatrespond Establish urbantypologiesforbuilding,com • • locations notpresentlyprovidedbySFU; portunities forworkinthehomeandjob blend ofhumanactivitythatincludesop Provide forafinelygrainedandintegrated u.p.a.) =1,488units • u.p.a.) =3,049units • types, andtenures; Provide awiderangeofhousingdensities, use communitypattern as aresultofanintegrated,mixed- • 350 to400metresofshops, • munity;” responsible, andmixed-use“universitycom Design apedestrianfriendly,ecologically spaces • groupings • into theforestedge; Enhance theintegrationofcommunity watercourses asperDFOand • sensitive and/ordegradedareas; protect andenhanceallenvironmen- Produce “fishfriendly”designsthat • occurring atSFU • streets” Preserve, create,and linkpublic Preserve significanttreesandtree Provincial Ministryguidelines Protect and maintain existing major car modes Devote 60%ofstreetsurfacetonon- the peakcommutertrafficcurrently Future autotrafficshouldnotexceed 20% ofthesiteshouldbe“green storeys or33.5m.(109.9ft.) Building heightsintheEast be live-workunits A proportionofhousingunitsshould housing (i.e.,householdswithchildren) Target at least 35% as family-oriented South Neighbourhood:0.9FSR(30 East Neighbourhood:1.7FSR(60 Reduce VMTbyanaverageof40% services, andtransit 100% ofresidentsshouldbewithin : Produce“fish : Createavibrant tally - - - - - and innovator. legacy ofSFUasaneducationalleader 4. Education • • • 3. Economy • • • • • •Designsshouldcommunicateaspirit environmental stewardship; tive architecturalandcommunitydesign Further theroleofSFUasaleaderinnova bility incommunityform ability, affordability,andecologicalcompati Demonstrate therelationshipbetweenlive solar orientation • newable sourcessuchassolar site shouldcomefromon-sitere- • (about halfofthenorm) the targetof285kWh/m • lifecycle costsofsiteinfrastructure; Explore waysofreducingimmediateand legacy forSFU ensure thatdevelopmentsecuresafinancial Identify market-responsivedesignideasto university andwidercommunity. able, attractive,andthatservesboththe age yearisabsorbedbythesoil • • and habitatsystemsofthesite; integrated andcompatiblewiththestream road, utility,andstorm-drainsystemsare Incorporate “greeninfrastructure,”where habitat value • damage; to ripariancorridorswherethereislowriskof areas. Maintainandenhancepublicaccess Preserve forestblocks,parks,andrecreation inspire childrenand adultsalike for theentirecommunity andshould • ment highlyvisible university andthenaturalenviron- • communities worldwide; tury modelthatwillinfluenceand shapenew Mountain Communityasatwenty-firstcen Promote designconceptsfortheBurnaby • the originalSFUcampusvision; nity” thatupdatesyetrespectsandextends Provide amodelfor“universitycommu interactive outdoor learningspaces Schoolyards shouldbeenvisioned as Render theworkingfunctionsof throughout thecommunity tion, communication,andeducation Built formshouldemphasizeintegra- learning of holisticandcontinuousliving 75% ofbuildingsshouldhavegood water, andgeothermalenergy voltaics, passivesolar,solarhot At least10%oftheenergyusedon Cut totalenergyuseofbuildingsto that fallsonthesiteduringanaver- Ensure thatatleast80%ofallwater be impervious No morethan50%ofthesiteshould 60% ofopenspaceshouldhave : Buildacommunitythatisprofit : Continueandextendthe 2 per year ------enhanced thesuccessofcharrette. more collaborativeprocesswhichfurther Institute’s regulations.Theresultwasa that theprocessdidnotcontravene to developasetofguidelinesensure familiar witharchitecturalcompetitions, this, theCorporationretainedanadvisor, preparing plansconcurrently.Toaddress from competingforacommissionby of BritishColumbiapreventarchitects the bylawsofArchitecturalInstitute being said,itisimportanttonotethat requirements ofthedesignbrief.This for thecommunitywhilemeetingall the fourteamsproducedaboldvision plan forthisnewcommunity.Eachof would carryforwardthedevelopment BMCC inselectingadesignteamthat also fulfilleditspurposeofassistingthe sometimes conflicting,policygoals.It tify thetradeoffsbetweenvarious,and as aguide.Theprocesshelpediden three-day periodusingthedesignbrief and 37wereproducedoveranintensive The fourproposalsshownonpages36 Conclusions andLessonsLearned • • • • process. the BMCCdesignerselectioncharrette attributes of,andlessonslearnedfrom, proposal. that remainstruetoitsoriginalcharrette stormwater plansforthesiteinamanner cept plansanddetailedengineering rently preparingneighbourhoodcon design brief.Theprojectteamiscur in balancingthemultiplegoalsof the HotsonBakkerteamfortheirsuccess sites that are owned by multiple entities are wholly owned by one entity than on that sites on easier is practices opment devel quo status to changes Making than othersinthistypeofcharrette treated asequalstendtodobetter rience andinwhichparticipantsare Teams thathaveabreadthofexpe continue theplanningproject ning” whenandiftheyareselectedto design teamto“hitthegroundrun Designer selectioncharrettesallowthe important planstrategies) creative inputofkeyindividualson the designteamoftenclosesout the charrettecomponentleaderof among membersofateam.(Without excellent wayofestablishingequality Designer selectioncharrettesarean The followingpointssummarizekey The BMCCBoardofDirectorsselected ------ 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 3 Site Design for BC Communities 4 University, 1996). Fraser University,FinalDraft(Burnaby,BC:Simon Mountain,” inDevelopmentPlanConceptforSimon on AStormwaterManagementStrategyforBurnaby Leidal AssociatesLtd.,“AppendixD:DiscussionPaper Planning andBuildingDepartment,1992);KerrWood Areas Strategy,Draft.(Burnaby,BC:CityofBurnaby The NatureofBurnaby:AnEnvironmentallySensitive mental Limited,1997);GarnderDunsterAssociates, ment PlanConceptArea(Surrey,BC:ENKONEnviron Limited. Tailed Frog Survey for the Simon Fraser Develop and BuildingDepartment,1996);ENKONEnvironmental Sensitive Areas(Burnaby,BC:CityofBurnabyPlanning 3 CityofBurnaby,DesignPrinciplesforEnvironmentally Building Department,1996). munity Plan(Burnaby,BC:CityofBurnabyPlanningand 2 (Burnaby, BC:BMCC,2000). Mountain CommunityDesignCharretteBrief 1 Notes: PatrickCondon,JoanneProft,andSaraMuir,Burnaby City ofBurnaby.SimonFraserUniversityOfficialCom - - - 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 3 Site Design for BC Communities 6 Burnaby MountainCommunity Illustrative Plans off theprominentmainaxisofexisting university,providingastrongorganizingelementforthe forested edgealongthesouthslope.“ThePromenade”servesasvillage“MainStreet”andextends trated developmentatthecentreofsite,alongexistinguniversi ty axis,andmaintainedahealthy, Team Twogavetopprioritytopreservingtheforestedgeanditsassociated streamsystems.Itcon Team Two: surrounds live/workhousingandresearchfacilities. core ofamixed-usedevelopmentwheremedium-andlower-densityhousinganelementaryschool west reachesofthecampus.TheDiscoveryParkresearchfacilityinsouthneighbourhoodbecomes tensify thewesternportionsofsiteinordertoachieveabalancebetweenlandusesateastand curvilinear roadsthatrespectthenaturalcontoursofsite.Inauniquedeparture,thisteamchosetoin with higher-densityresidentialneighbourhoodsalongtheeastandnorthedges,whichareservedby north and south, and to allow buildings to have maximum access to sunshine. The mixed-use core merges pattern thatradiatesoutfromthecentralspineofuniversitytoframesignifi Residential expansionanddevelopmentoftheeastneighbourhoodisorganizedaroundaroadblock systems withinthecommunity,thusdispellingafeelingofisolationandencouragingalternativestocars. university SkyTrainstation(locatedatthebaseofmountain)andvariousothertypestransportation summit andthesurroundingmetropolitanregion.Itsplanprovidesadirectconnectionbetweennew Team One’sproposalemphasizedbothexperientialandphysicalconnectionsbetweenthemountain Team One: offering spacefor habitatpreservationand traditionalrecreationalactivities. key focalpointfortheplan.Here largegreenopenspacesprovideakeystormwaterfunction,while trails connectsallportionsofthesite. Anewelementaryschool,locatedonthesouthslope, providesa of commercialandresidentialdevelop ment inthewesternneighbourhood. Asystemofopenspacesand fit mostoftheresidentialdevelopmentintoeastneighbourhood, italsoincludedsmallerincrements courtyard buildings;together,these createdenselypopulatedurbanneighbourhoods. Whilethisteam use buildingswithat-gradecommercial buildingslinethepromenade,whileoneithersideareresidential community. Crossstreetssetperpendicular tothisaxiscreateauniformsystemofurbanblocks.Mixed- Connecting theMountaintoRegion An UrbanCentrewithaPreservedEdge cant viewsbothtothe cen - - 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 3 Site Design for BC Communities 6 this planforhabitat andasanareaforfacultyresearch andstudentlearning. streets” providepedestrian-oriented, rain-protectedmews.Mostofthesouthslopeforestismaintainedin Four’s systemof“green”streetsprovides forbio-remediationandinfi the centralcore,andtree-topmeadow housinginthesouthernandeasternportionsofsite.Team the upperneighbourhoods,streetoriented townhousesfurthersouth,live-workandcohousingoptions in These neighbourhoodsprovideadiversity ofhousingtypes:10-storeytowersandterracedtownhouses in spine areaseriesofdistinctneigbourhoods: “theblocks,”forest,”farm,”andthe“meadows.” tions withinthecontextofavisually powerfulboulevard.Extendingoutandbeyondthisgreenboulevard spine andprovidesastrongnorth-south greenboulevardthatcombinesstormwaterman spine wheretheuniversityfabricembracesnewcommunity.Asecondary axisintersectsthisprimary unique alpinelocation.Liketheotherteams,thisteamproposedacon The imageandformofthetown‘Festival’takescuesfromUniversity’s existingstructureandthe Team Four: nature intothemoreurbanreachesofcommunity. growth, interspersedwithmorevaluablemixedconiferous/deciduousforest,allowforapenetrationof and includewidegreenboulevardsthatservebothforbio-infiltrationparking.Forestfingersofnew neighbourhoods, whetheroncar,bike,orfoot.Thestreetsofthisgridaredesignedtominimumwidths grid”, whichfollowsthecontoursofsite,allowseasyandeffi portions ofthesite,withlowerdensityresidentialareaslocatedonsouthandwestslopes.A“flowing Convocation Hallandaconventioncentre.Thehigherdensityneighbourhoodislocatedalongtheupper neighbourhood. Thepivotpointbetweenthetwodistrictsisacollectionofcivicbuildings,whichinclude a seamlesstransitionbetweentheacademic-focusedwesternportionandmorecommercialeastern upper floorschangefromacademicusestoresidentialasonemoveswesteast.Thiscreates campus andtheproposedcommunity.Groundfloorcommercialusesline“MainStreet”spine,while This Team’splan,“TownandGownbyNature,”attemptstoforgecon Team Three: A TownCalledFestival Town andGownbyNature Burnaby MountainCommunity cient connectionsbetweenresidential ltration ofstormwaterwhile“blue centrated corealongtheeastern nections betweentheuniversity agement func Illustrative Plans - 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 3 Site Design for BC Communities 8 the RiverSpringsdevelopment. its southaretheCoquitlamTownCentre and west ofthesiteisWestwoodPlateau, and to The siteshowninitslocalcontext.To the Above infrastructure.” of thefundamentalrole“green site aswelltotheestablishment led tothebasicurbanformfor sensitive hillsidesite.Thischarrette development oftheirproposalforthis in aday-longcharretteearlythe environmental engineeringspecialists involved designers,urbanplanningand charrette fortheRiverwalkproposal by aspecificsite.Theconsultant opportunity orproblempresented to produceaproposalforspecific closed groupofparticipantsinaneffort Some charrettesinvolvearelatively CONSULTANT CHARRETTE Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam February 2000 Charrette Date Site EconomicsLtd. CWMM ConsultingEngineersLtd. Ward ConsultingGroup Moriarty/Condon Ltd. Golder AssociatesLtd. Tera PlanningLtd. Aplin andMartinConsultantsLtd. Consultant Team Landview Group Charrette Client Consultant Charrette Type 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 3 Site Design for BC Communities 8 the adoptingbylaw inSeptember2001. endorsement when CityCouncilpassed Riverwalk proposal receivedmunicipal amendment totheNortheast OCP,the and access.Afteritsconsideration asan ment subjecttoconfirmation ofservicing recognized asanareaforfuture develop opment Reserve,”whichmeans thatitis designated theRiverwalksite a “Devel and developmentprocess.TheOCP lishes principlestoguidetheplanning developing thiscommunityandestab a long-rangeplanningframeworkfor orderly fashion.Specifically,itoutlines within thecommunityinanefficientand policies thatwilldirectdevelopment ally outlinesthebroadobjectivesand adopted inJuly2000.TheOCPgener the Riverwalksite.ThenewOCPwas during theinitialstagesofplanningfor nity Plan(OCP) The revisedCoquitlamOfficialCommu Community Plan(2000) Northeast CoquitlamOfficial Guiding Policy: impacts tosensitiveaquaticsystems. bour-hoods inwaysthatwouldreduce community madeupofdistinctneigh market/non-market housinginavillage schools, commercialdevelopment,and sign challengewastoaccommodate a sensitiveriverecosystem,thede for affordablehomesinthecity. and tenurestomeetincreaseddemand can provide for a variety of housing types Line” Skytrainextension.Finally,thesite muter railandtheproposed“Millenium within threekilometersofregionalcom close tocommunityinfrastructureandis the City’sOfficialCommunityPlan.Itis designated “DevelopmentReserve”in “Growth ConcentrationArea”andwas The siteislocatedintheGVRD’s cent totheCoquitlamRiver. acre) greenfieldsiteontheslopesadja opment onafifty-threehectare(130 T Given thesite’slocationwithin keyprinciplesoflow-impactdevel he RiverwalkVillageproposaltests 1 wasunderdevelopment ------client, consultantteammembers,and and tookintoaccountinputfromthe over thecourseofplanningprocess The designbriefforRiverwalkevolved Goals andPrinciples the site’scontours inordertominimize The layoutofinternal streetsfollows homes. Access to thesiteisviaabridge. on-site andwithinwalkingdistance ofall and commercialservicesarelocated accommodate transitservice. Schools to facilitatewalkingandcycling, andto north ofthesite. provide accesstotheriverandwaterfall bank. Passiverecreationcorridorswill with asignificantbufferatthetopof access. TheCoquitlamRiverisprotected and middleschoolwithseparatestreet to accommodatebothanelementary areas. Theschoolsiteisflexibleenough to publicparks,schoolyards,andplay lands, withanadditional13%dedicated 40% ofthesiteisdedicatedtonatural features andecologicalfunction,almost to conservethearea’sprominentnatural 1,100 newhomesareplanned.Inorder ronmentally sensitiveareas.Atotalof and recreation,linearpark,envi dential, villagecommercial,school,parks high, mediumandlowdensityresi Proposed landusesatRiverwalkinclude Design Proposal 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. outlined intheOCP: team followedtheplanningprinciples In anattempttoachievethisgoal,the ting. that isinharmonywithitsnaturalset atmosphere andresidentialenvironment hoods andregion,tocreateavillage for thebenefitofsurroundingneighbour ronmental features,toprovideamenities To enhanceandpreserveitsspecialenvi for theRiverwalksite: team derivedthefollowinggeneralgoal City staff.Basedonthisinput,thedesign The transportationsystemisintended to safetyservices ing, includinghealth,safety,andaccess Promote communityandsocialwell-be housing typesandtenures needs byprovidingadiversemixof Address regionalandlocalhousing Increase transportationchoices and services of population,housingtypes,anduses Create acompletecommunityinterms including land,energy,andcapital Promote efficientuseofresources, environmentally sensitiveareas Protect thearea’snaturalfeaturesand 2 ------kind. However,unliketheprocessfor expertise) thanotherBCprojectsofits cal, planning,design,andengineering nal integration(incorporatingecologi achieved amuchhigherdegreeofinter a charrette-basedresolution. strategies, setupauniquechallengefor and communitygrowthmanagement the developmentproposalwithregional mental concernsandthecompatibilityof flict between site and watershed environ ly, thepossibilityforresolvingcon Coquitlam River watershed. Consequent terns ofinsensitivedevelopmentinthe area, andtheimpactsfromhistoricpat development associatedimpactsinthis ronment; theabilitytofullymitigateall about impactonthesite’snaturalenvi This sensitivitywasbasedonconcerns tive tofurtherdevelopmentofthisarea. was carriedoutinanatmospheresensi The Riverwalkconsultantteamcharrette Conclusions andLessonsLearned Coquitlam River. impact uponstreamsandtheadjacent Landview Group,2000). Official CommunityPlanAmendment 2 Department ofPlanningandDevelopment,2000). Community Plan 1 Notes: • • Consultantcharrettesinvolvinga tant charretteare: The keylessonslearnedfromthisconsul did notinvolveallpossiblestakeholders. East Claytonarea(seepages42-47),it Landview Group, City ofCoquitlam, The Riverwalkconsultantteam of bothdevelopersandmunicipalities. require extraordinarycareonthepart area. Assuch,anydevelopmentwill associated withdevelopmentinthis options tooffsetanyresidualimpacts developing acceptablecompensation required mitigationmeasuresand/or pacts, andthefeasibilityofapplyingall of sitesensitivity,thepotentialforim problems canbeexpectedbecause as Riverwalk,butimplementation can beappliedtodifficultsitessuch Low impactdevelopmentprinciples for lackofstakeholderinvolvement. impact ofplanbutcanbechallenged measurably reducetheenvironmental highly integratedconsultantteamcan (Coquitlam,BC:CityofCoquitlam Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam Northeast CoquitlamOfficial (Coquitlam,BC: : ------ 3 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 4 Site Design for BC Communities 0 Illustrative Plan Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 1 4 Site Design for BC Communities 0 • • • • infrastructure visioninclude: character tothesite.Thefeaturesofthisgreen open spacesthatorganizesandgivesspecial system –aofstreets,greenways,and concept fortheRiverwalk“greeninfrastructure” natural landscapefeatures.Thisinsightleadtoa and capitalizedonbothinternalexternal depend onhoweffectivelytheplanprotected concluded thatthesuccessofprojectwould and aroundtheRiverwalksite,designteam Recognizing thewealthofnaturalamenitiesin A GreenInfrastructureVision short walkorcycle ofallresidences. located attheentry ofthecommunity,withina of communityopen space.Villagecommercialis within neighbourhoodsclusteredaround areas single-family homestohigh-density townhomes) degree of affordable housing types (ranging from infrastructure system,theplanintegrates ahigh a waythatcopiespre-development patterns. capture, direct,andinfiltraterainwater onsitein part oftheinfrastructuresystem.Thesefeatures Streets, parks,yards,andopenspacearealso • ter drainagesystem protecting streamswithanoverlandstormwa crossings increase accessibility,andminimizestream topography inordertominimizedisturbance, aligning proposedstreetswiththenatural boundary betweenresidential“blocks” to theCoquitlamRiverandactasanatural preserving streamsthatflowthroughthesite open space incorporating naturalfeaturesintoparksand community intothehillside provide habitatandtovisuallyabsorbthe maintaining forestcorridorsinorderto In additiontothecomprehensivegreen - Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam Illustrative Plan 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 1 4 Site Design for BC Communities 2 Nicomekl River). the and Serpentine (the bodies water significant the site also drains into two of the region’s most region’s Agricultural Land Reserve (shaded area), the of upland Situated Region. Mainland Lower largest and the fastest growing municipality in the the geographically Surrey, of border eastern the on located is site Clayton East hectare 250 The Above stakeholders. involve designersandadiversegroupof to openuptheplanningprocess and tousetheprocessofcharrette the newcommunityofEastClayton, communities asthebasisfordeveloping to usesevenprinciplesofsustainable authorized theirplanningdepartment in motionwhentheSurreyCityCouncil regulatory change.Thisprocesswasset desinged toachieveinstitutionaland present. TheEastClaytoncharrettewas charrette ofthefourtypeswe the mostcomplexandtimeintensive An implementationcharretteisperhaps I MPLEMENTATION CHARRETTE February 2000 November 1999and Charrette Dates East ClaytonCharrette Advisory Committee) Norman Alexander,AmarBains,ElsaWatts(Citizen East ClaytonCommunity: Allan Grant BC Hydro: Erin Stoddard Ministry ofEnvironment,Lands,andParks: Barry Chillibeck Department ofFisheriesandOceans: (Operations) John Strandt(Fire);GerryMcKinnonandDaleHadden Jean Lamontagne(Parks,RecreationandCulture) (Planning); EricEmery(Engineering) How YinLeung,WendyWhelen,FransiscoMolina City ofSurrey: Charrette Participants City ofSurrey Charrette Client Helmut Urhan(TeraPlanning) Environmental Consultant: Jennifer Crawford(PacificResourcesCentreLtd.) John Blakney(PacificResourcesCentreLtd.) Facilitators: and LiveableEnvironments) Patrick Condon(UBCJamesTaylorChairinLandscape Stacy Moriarty(Moriarty/CondonLtd.) Ltd) Bob Worden,DougRamsay(RamsayWordenArchitects Designers: Farquason (ReidCrowtherLtd.) Engineering Consultants:SuduVatagotagombura,Jane John Turner(ProgressiveConstruction) Developer: Implementation Charrette Type 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 3 4 Site Design for BC Communities 2 3. 2. 1. core principlestoguidetheNCP. the SurreyCityCouncilendorsedseven process wassetinmotion1998when a uniquefour-daydesigncharrette.This ing workshops,publicopenhouses,and featured overadozeninformation-shar constituency groupsinaprocessthat over 150peoplefromfourteendifferent consultative designprocessthatinvolved year periodthroughanintegratedand was developedoveraone-and-a-half- hood ConceptPlan(NCP).TheNCP Project istheEastClaytonNeighbour important componentoftheHeadwaters potentially beyond.Thefirstandmost throughout theLowerMainlandand develop moresustainablecommunities would beareplicablemodelofhowto standards “ontheground.”Theresult principles andalternativedevelopment that wouldapplysustainableplanning the goalofbuildingamodelcommunity (1997), Development StandardsWorkshop Charrette (1995) ity ofSurrey,notablytheSurreyDesign previous jointprojectsintheMunicipal cies. host ofgovernmentandrelatedagen Resources Centre,withsupportfroma Liveable Environments,andthePacific Surrey, theUBCChairinLandscapeand initiated inJanuary1999bytheCityof Project. TheHeadwatersProjectwas a largerinitiativecalledtheHeadwaters process fromwhichitwasproducedis T ent afriendlyface tothestreetand therefore, ensure thatalldwellingspres Communities are designedforpeople; same street. same neighbourhoodandeven onthe homes toapartmentbuildings) inthe range ofdensitiesfromsingle-family of housingtypes,includingabroad Provide differentdwellingtypes (amix homes. within afive-tosix-minutewalkof schools, parks,transit,shops,etc.)are activities wherebasicservices(e.g., hoods. Thiswillencouragepedestrian designing compactwalkableneighbour Increase densityandconserveenergyby Concept Plan,andthecharrette he EastClaytonNeighbourhood 1 Buildingonthemomentumof 3 this partnershipconvenedwith 2 and theAlternative ------5. 4. goals forcomplete andsustainable toward longterm cityandregional guide thelocation andformofgrowth residents, businessandcityresources to munity development – bringing together Surrey’s OCP“promotesplanned com Surrey OfficialCommunityPlan (1996) cies: was alsodirectedbythefollowingpoli Region StrategicPlan(1995),theNCP Amendment Act(1995)andtheLivable In additiontotheGrowthStrategies Guiding Policy Langley andCloverdale). links withexistingurbancentres(suchas effective transportationandservicing employment opportunities,andprovide the needforlinkinghousingtolocal for varioustypesofhousing,address help meetcity-andregion-widedemand the sametime,planwouldneedto prone farmsinthefloodplainbelow.At ter conveyedbythosestreamstoflood- the site,norincreaseamountofwa cause damagetothestreamsthatdrain opment ofEastClaytonshouldneither was especiallyimportantthatthedevel Strategic Plan. lands intheGVRD’sLivableRegion designated asprotected“greenzone” in theAgriculturalLandReserveandare urban encroachmentbytheirinclusion sensitive floodplainsareprotectedfrom the westandsouth,respectively.These River floodplains,whicharelocatedto the broadSerpentineRiverandNicomekl Langley Township.Thesitedrainsinto rey, abuttingthenorthwesternedgeof located ontheeasternborderofSur 7. 6. work, inagridormodifiedpattern, Provide aninterconnectedstreetnet handled attherearofdwellings. Ensure thatcarstorageandservicesare promote socialinteraction. The 250hectareEastClaytonsiteis incorporated into the East Clayton NCP.) description ofhowtheseprincipleswere the ground).(Seepages46-47fora and permittedtoseepnaturallyinto which stormwaterisheldonthesurface promote naturaldrainagesystems(in Preserve thenaturalenvironmentand environment. friendlier greener, a provide to costs and save to order in trees of rows by shaded streets narrow Provide with thesurroundingregion. public transittoconnectEastClayton disperse trafficcongestion;andprovide to ensureavarietyofitinerariesand Given theseconditions,it ------that respectsandmaintainsaspectsof developing acompletecommunity Land-Use Planincludesobjectivesfor to bedeveloped.TheClaytonGeneral and wastobethefirstportionofClayton Clayton district,wasdesignatedurban the southeasternquadrantoflarger below oneunitperacre.EastClayton, meaning thatdensitiesweretobeator district wasdesignatedas“suburban,” within it. opment ofindividualneighbourhoods and providesthecontextfordevel framework forthelargerClaytondistrict tains theplanningandimplementation The ClaytonGeneralLand-UsePlancon Clayton GeneralLand-UsePlan(1998) people whowillliveinthecommunity. to supplyemploymentopportunitiesfor at leastsixdwellingunitsperacreand necessary tosupporturbandensitiesof infrastructure (e.g.,water,sewer,roads) will eventuallyservetheareawith as “urban.”ThismeansthattheCity communities.” change. be providedwithnewmeans toaffect with theauthoritytoguidedevelopment important thatthosetypically vested venting institutionalbarriers, it was produce areplicablemodelfor circum Headwaters Projectwasdesignedto tate, nottolead,thecharrette.Since within arelativelyshortperiodoftime. ways ofdevelopingacommunity-all and buildacceptanceforalternative new ideas,providetimeforreflection, The charrettewouldbuildconfidencein ideal formatformeetingthesedemands. The charrettemethodwaschosenasthe mitment amongdiverseconstituencies. developing acceptable standards of com party approachtobuildingpolicyand grated planningmethod,andamulti- Clayton communitydemandedaninte Planning foramoresustainableEast Charrette Process able development. and federalpolicyobjectivesforsustain area ofSurreythatmeetslocal,provincial, To buildacommunityintheEastClayton lowing goal: East ClaytonLand-UsePlanhadthefol both incrementallyandefficiently. and wildlifeuse,manageschange natural environmentforbothhuman to residents,providesarichandvaried its ruralcharacter,providesjobsclose Design professionalsservedtofacili With thesepoliciesasacontext,the 5 More thanhalfoftheClayton 4 It identifiesEastClayton 6 - - - - - - - - 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 3 4 Site Design for BC Communities 4 • not alterstreamsystems. ensure thatstormdrainagesystems do habitats, hydrology,andlandforms, and tect theecologicalperformanceofnative 1. LandandWater and Energy. Water, (2)Community,and(3)Buildings overarching categoriesof:(1)Landand number ofgeneralobjectivesunderthe ranging performancestandardsintoa important. Thebrieforganizedthewide targets thattheyconsideredthemost suggested designandperformance Each ofthesegroupsidentifiedand/or public safetyandemergencyservices. Surrey School Board; Translink; BC Hydro, of Environment, Lands and Parks; the of Fisheries and Oceans; the BC Ministry developers and builders; the Department Clayton Citizen’s Advisory Committee; ments; theMinistry of Agriculture; the and Operations/MaintenanceDepart of SurreyPlanning,Engineering,Parks munity ofinterest.”Theyincluded:City several types,eachconstitutinga“com sus. Thesestakeholdergroupswereof stakeholder groupstoforgethisconsen held aseriesofworkshopswithvarious sensus. TheHeadwatersProjectteam brief andmustshowstakeholdercon instructions arereferredtoasadesign writing thedesigninstructions.These implementation charretteprocessis The mostcrucialpartofinitiatingany Design Brief 8. Dealwithissuesefficiently 7. 6. plan in process, the in confidence Build 5. 4. 3. Shareinformationequally be the at (preferably on early Involve 2. through integration for capacity Build 1. all thoseinvolvedintheprocess: sight, structure, and a level playing field to The following simple guidelines offered in Rules oftheGame critical wildlifehabitat areas,areaswith sheds, groundwater rechargeareas, lands, watercourses, ravines,water sensitive and/ordegradedareas (wet Protect andenhanceallenvironmentally expertise technical necessary the to access Gain cipal staff muni- of involvement direct the Ensure standards development alternative in and policies, tual gain Share resources across mandates for mu (including theirimplementation) standards development and policy ning plan influence can and that organizations agencies, people, those ginning) act jointly to determination and awareness shared : Celebrateandpro ------• • 2. Community • • • • • • • • • • commercial/industrial) throughestab residential areas,agricultural balanced withexistinguses(e.g.,built and densitiesaretobeblended to commercialareas.Mixedhousing higher-density housinginareasclose Density andMixedHousing:Supply tom thirdofincomesregion-wide. persons withfamilyincomesinthebot At least20%ofthehousingshallbefor viduals withinawiderangeofincomes. and areaffordabletogroupsindi needs ofarangeagesandlifestyles housing typessothathousesmeetthe Housing Equity:Provideabalanceof ficient, people-friendlyways. residents totheirdestinationsinef within neighbourhoodsthatconnect is affordabletoarangeofincomes protection systems. structure thatiscompatiblewithfire Incorporate naturaldrainageinfra a waterconveyancestrategy. Integrate an urban forestry strategy with multiple functions. of greenandopenspacesthatserves Create anintegratedandlinkedsystem tion legislation). with federalandprovincialfishprotec tribute tofishprotection(asconsistent stream flowsandwaterqualitytocon Protect naturalhabitatandimprove areas etc.). streams, topographicfeatures,natural opportunities withinthesite(e.g., Identify andenhancespecialrecreation mentally sustainable. public accesstostreams,whereenviron recreation areas.Maintainandenhance rural openspace,includingparksand Preserve, create,andlinkurban and landforms. formance ofnativehabitats,hydrology, and/or enhancingtheecologicalper fragile orunstablesoils)maintaining General LandUse Plan. sistent totargets setoutintheClayton working population thatarealsocon office, orlightindustrialfacilities forthe Jobs: Provideworkspaceincommercial, fire protectionandambulatory services. tive serviceboundaryfortheprovision of fectively throughthestreets.Set defini fire equipmentcanbemanoeuvred ef Public SafetyandFireSystems:Ensure bility. hancing communitysafetyandsocia Safety: Employprovenmethodsofen etc.). seniors, disabled,familycrisisvictims, quate specialneedshousing(e.g., Special NeedsHousing:Provideade types, lotsizes,andeffectivebuffering. lishing compatibledensities,housing : Providehousingthat - - - - ------• • 3. BuildingsandEnergy • • • • • • by considering utility system design design system utility considering by infrastructure utility of use the efficient for Aim Infrastructure: Energy water-heating andday-lighting. orientation foractiveandpassivesolar requirements byprovidingoptimalsolar Solar Heat:Reducebuildingenergy site energyuseanddemand. opportunities toreduceonsiteandoff surfacing lanes. various permeablelowcostmaterialsfor surface materials.Exploretheuseof to lanesbyusingappropriatewidthand and utilityworkcrewscangainaccess Lane system:Ensuremunicipalservices and institutional). (community, professional,commercial, residences, work,shopping,andservices of buildingandland-uses,integrating Integration ofLand-Uses:Createamix tial units,andinquieterneighborhoods. minute walkingdistancesfromresiden jor transportationcorridors,withinfive Schools: Locateschoolsawayfromma over autotravel. that giveswalkingandbikingpriority multimodal communityroutesystem trian accesstotransitroutes.Providea fortable, barrier-freeanddirectpedes Auto Alternatives:Providesafe,com automobile trips. and lengthofcommuterdaily-use Auto TripReduction:Reducenumber precipitation. response towind,sun,vegetation,and munity microclimatethroughdesign Design withClimate:Enhancecom co-generation. generating systems,districtheating,and technologies suchascommunity-scale future, energyservicefromalternative tain flexibilitysoastoprovideinthe or main appropriate, as Provide design. community the of part as : Maximize ------ 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 4 Site Design for BC Communities 4 • • Participantsmusthavesufficient • • • • • implementation charretteare: guidelines containedintheNCP. project basedonthestandardsand tion anddesignofthefirstdevelopment its initialstages,involvesthecoordina phase oftheHeadwatersProject,nowin proved inNovember1999.Thesecond July 1999andtheland-useplanwasap draft NCPwaspresentedtothepublicin the fourdayEastClaytonCharrette.The hood ConceptPlanweredevelopedat included intheEastClaytonNeighbour- The lion’sshareoftheguidelines Conclusion andLessonsLearned into thiskindofprocess. plans canandshouldberedirected creating standardneighbourhoodarea be costly.Fundsordinarilydirectedto The processtakesmanyhoursandcan the projectsareimplemented. to standbehindtheirdecisionsonce authority to“negotiateonthefly”and parties agreeinadvance. the “rulesofgame,”towhichall cess ofthecharretteasitestablishes The designbriefiscrucialtothesuc the masterplan. rather thanduringimplementationof integral partofthedesignprocess inevitable compromisesoccurasan do visioningcharrettes.Thisisbecause duce moreconservativeresultsthan Implementation charrettesoftenpro while issuesarestilloutstanding. participants gotheirseparateways and miscommunicationoccurswhen gether aslongpossible.Difficulties The charretteteamshouldstayto it isoftentoolate). design process,notafterwards(when Opposition isdealtwithaspartofthe ally, areproudofit. take ownershipoftheplanand,ide design foracommunity.Allparties parties indeterminingtheexactfuture advantage ofinvolvingallappropriate Implementation charretteshavethe Key lessonsfromtheEastClayton ------ Municipalities), the Canada Mortgage and Housing Housing Ministry BC the Food, and Program, Agriculture of Ministry BC and the Investment Agricultural Mortgage BC the Canada Corporation, Canadian the of (Federation Municipalities), Program Today Choice and 1 Notes: Landscape andLiveableEnvironments,1999). in Chair Taylor James UBC BC: (Vancouver, Brief Design Clayton East Centre, Resources Pacific and Environments 6 of Surrey,1999). City BC: (Surrey, Plan Community Official Surrey of City 5 District, 1995). Regional Vancouver Greater BC: (Burnaby, Plan Strategic 4 in LandscapeandLiveableEnvironments,1998). Communities Workbook, Charrette (Vancouver: UBC Sustainable James Taylor Chair for Standards Development 3 Chair inLandscapeandLiveableEnvironments,1997). Taylor James UBC (Vancouver: Charrette Design Surrey 2 and theRealEstateFoundationofBC. District, Regional Vancouver Greater the Canada, Oceans and Fisheries Canada, Environment Affairs, Municipal of City of Surrey Department of Planning and Development, The Headwaters Project is supported by: the Affordability See Patrick Condon and Jacqueline Teed, Alternative Alternative Teed, Jacqueline and Condon Patrick See Greater Vancouver Regional District, Liveable Region Region Liveable District, Regional Vancouver Greater UBC James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Liveable and Landscape in Chair Taylor James UBC Patrick Condon, Sustainable Urban Landscapes: The The Landscapes: Urban Sustainable Condon, Patrick approval to moveforwardrefiningthedraft planfor of publicacceptanceandallowedthe process buy-in. Commentsheetsindicatedahigh level involved tomeasurethelevelofconstituent embodied intheplan.Italsoallowedthose an opportunitytoseehowtheprincipleswere gave citizensofEastClaytonanditsenvrions was presentedatapublicopenhouse.This plan. InMay,1999,thedraftland-useplan at eachstage,andtogenerateanacceptable community, toreinforceacceptablesolutions and conceptsofamoresustainableurban to promoteawarenessoftheprinciples The NCPprocesswasdeliberatelydesigned Public buy-in negotiated “onthefly” centres andcommunityserviceswere circulation, housingdensities,employment the site’secologicalinfrastructure,roadsand larger Claytondistrict.Decisionsregarding would functionasasustainableunitinthe decisions regardinghowthecommunity these fourdays,thedesigntablemadecrucial the EastClaytonLand-UsePlaninfourdays.In design tabledevelopedthefirstiterationof Guided bythecharrettedesignbrief, A DraftLand-UsePlan ensured fairrepresentationoftheseinterests. concerns. Thecharrettedesigntablestructure maintain whatisbuilt,wereonlysomeofthese fear concerningitsabilitytocost-effectively desire forqualitystreamsandtheCity’s residential development,environmentalists’ a developer’shopesforfairreturnon as alandowner’sconcernoverlandvalues, Clayton developmentprocess.Interestssuch involved everyonewithaninterestintheEast The designtablestructureforthecharrette The CharretteDesignTable . . 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 5 4 Site Design for BC Communities 6 East Clayton 7 SustainabilityPrinciples 3 2 1 reducing dependenceontheautomobile. environmental stewardshipwhileprovidingequitableaccesstohousingandjobs East Claytonisdesignedtopromotesocialcohesion,localeconomicopportunities,and for theproposedpopulationof13,000.Envisionedasacomplete,mixed-usecommunity, affordability, sociability,andavailabilityofcommercialserviceswithineasywalkingdistance The NCPsupportsavarietyofland-usesandresidential/communitytypestomaximize NCP, accompaniedbyadescriptionofhoweachisrepresentedintheLandUsePlan. Outlined belowaretheseven principles approved bySurreyCityCounciltoguidethe Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. public corridorsandneighbourhoodamenities, 80 metres(250feet).Theyaretobeconsideredboth block dimensions averaging 160 metres (525 feet) by fine-grained modifiedgridofstreetsandlanes,with tial neighbourhoodsaretobestructuredarounda reaching nearbydestinations.Accordingly,residen nected toprovidethewidestpossiblechoicesfor of shopsandservicesthatstreetsbeintercon requires thathomesbewithinawalkabledistance Achieving apedestrian-orientedneighbourhood five- tosix-minutewalkoftheirhomes schools, parks,transit,shops,etc.)arewithina pedestrian activitieswherebasicservices(e.g., walkable neighbourhoods.Thiswillencourage Conserve landandenergybydesigningcompact pedestrians andprovideabufferfrom passingtraffic. on-street parkingwillcreateapleasant envelopefor Street trees,boulevardinfiltrationdevices, and clearly distinguishbetweenprivateandpublicspace. Front yardswillhavebuffersthatensureprivacyand the street”andtocreatealarger,privatebackyard. situated closertostreetsensuremore“eyeson to frontdirectlyontopublicstreets.Dwellingsare congestion andtoallowasmanyhomespossible grained, interconnectednetworkofstreetstoreduce Blocks aretobeproportionedcreateafine- street inordertopromotesocialinteraction all dwellingsshouldpresentafriendlyfacetothe Communities aredesignedforpeople;therefore, option toindividualsandfamiliesinneed. secondary unitwillprovideanaffordablehousing to providea“mortgage-aid”youngfamilies.The family homeswithaseconddwellingunitavailable housing optionswillbeencouraged,suchassingle- the largercommunity.Creativeandeconomic tion ofdifferentfamilytypesandagestostrengthen cohesive community. The plan promotes the integra hold types and tenures to serve a diverse and socially The planaccommodatesawidevarietyofhouse and evenonthesamestreet apartment buildingsinthesameneighbourhood range ofdensitiesfromsingle-familyhomesto Provide a mix of housing types, including a broad destinations. bicycle traffic,whileensuringeasyaccesstolocal are toaccommodateautomobile, pedestrian and - - - - 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 4 Site Design for BC Communities 6 stormwater management, andhabitatpreservation. ecological goalssuch asstreamprotection, educational demands whilemeetingimportant simultaneously satisfy social,recreational,and system willhavemanybeneficialfunctions. Itwill areas, neighbourhoodparks,andbuffers. This schools, riparianprotectionareas,tree preservation which includeslocalstreets,majorand minorparks, is itslinkedsystemofstreetsandopen spaces, The backboneoftheplan’secological infrastructure naturally intotheground) is heldonthesurfaceandpermitted toseep natural drainagesystems(inwhichstormwater Preserve thenaturalenvironmentandpromote drainage, trafficvolume,andurbanforestry). nity requirementsofeachindividualcorridor(i.e., on thespecificinfrastructureandservicingame metres (56feet)and22(72feet),depending feet). Streetrights-of-wayrangefrombetween17 range from6metres(20feet)to11.3(37 Paved streetwidthsforlocalandcollectorstreets friendlier environment in ordertosavecostsandprovideagreener, Provide narrowstreetsshadedbyrowsoftrees streets, andlanes. of streets,whichincludesarterials,collectors,local network isorganizedaroundafour-parthierarchy and thelocationofitssub-watersheds.Thestreet and riparianareasrespondstothesite’stopography The organizationofroads,blocks,parks,parkways ton withthesurroundingregion and providepublictransittoconnectEastClay of itinerariesandtodispersetrafficcongestion; grid ormodifiedpattern,toensureavariety Provide aninterconnectedstreetnetwork,ina lots withnolanes. shallower blocksthathavewiderdrivewayaccess backyard space.Asmallportionoftheplanincludes frontyard setbackandanincreaseinuseable from behind,resultinginareductionoftherequired the garage.Lanesallowcarstogainaccessunits contact withactivitiesonthestreetbybarrierof concrete, andresidentsfrombeingclosedoff by garages,frontyardsfrombeingconsumed to preventbuildingfrontsfrombeingconsumed lot sizesforEastClayton.Narrowlotsdemandlanes determined theproposedcommunitystructureand tation, roadnetwork,andparcelconfiguration) The existingsiteconditions(i.e.,topography,vege at rearofdwellings Ensure thatcarstorageandservicesarehandled - - - 7 SustainabilityPrinciples Drawing credit: Bill Wenk East Clayton 5 4 6 7 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 7 4 Site Design for BC Communities 8 East Clayton Illustrative Plan provide acommercial andpubliccentreforthe buildings andresidences aboveshopswill community), where street-frontcommercial Street” (locatedat thenorth-westcornerof complete communitywouldbe“Clayton’s Main without leavingthearea.Thefocal point forthis in thecommunitycanshop,work, and recreate uses arehighlyintegratedsothatthose living land consumedbystreetrights-of-way). Land commercial, andbusinessparklands aswell hectare, ortenunitsperacre(inclusive ofpark, at densitiesaveragingtwenty-fiveunitsper homes willaccommodate13,000newresidents house, coachhouses,andapartments.These family detached,semi-detached,fee-simplerow- approximately 4,500homes,includingsingle types. Theplancallsfortheproductionof while supplyingavarietyofaffordabledwelling the protectionofEastClaytonenvironment what thecommunityenvisionedwouldensure plan shownonthesepages.Theyhopedthat The charretteteamcollaborativelyproducedthe East ClaytonNeighbourhoodConceptPlan the floodingoflower-lyingagricultural areas. infiltrate runoffandavoidstream destruction and and othernaturallyabsorptiveareas inorderto incorporates asystemofstreets,yards, parks, the site’secologicalcarryingcapacity. Thesite plan isdesignedtorespondfirstand formostto friendliness ofthestreet.Mostimportantly, garages, anddrivewayswillnotdeterfromthe the rearofmostdwellingunitssothattrash, from passingtraffic.Theplancallsforlanesat and on-streetparkingwillbufferthepedestrian bike. Tree-linedboulevards,infiltrationdevices, allows easymovementbytransit,car,foot,or interconnected street/blocksystem.Thissystem communities withinthelargerClaytondistrict. residents ofEastClaytonand,eventually,other The planisstructuredaroundafine-grained, 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 4 Site Design for BC Communities 8 East Clayton Land UsePlan 4 Part One – Charrette Case Studies Case Charrette – One Part 9 5 Site Design for BC Communities 0 the scale,orunitofdevelopment,towhich air, water,people,andaffordability,(2) dress thespecificsustainabilitychallengesof in termsof(1)thedegreetowhichtheyad charrette designstrategiescanbeunderstood ture, movement,andcost.Inthisway,the – ecologicalinfrastructure,socialinfrastruc sustainable designperformancecategories block, andparcel–and,ontheother,by by scalesofurbandesign–district,corridor, taxonomy isstructured,ontheonehand, developed theTaxonomyofUrbanSites.The gies into a coherent and useful framework we ability. Asameansoforganizingthesestrate pertaining toair,water,people,andafford dreds ofdesignstrategiesthataddressissues in theprevioussectioncomevirtuallyhun From thefourcharrettecasestudiesfeatured TAXONOMY OFURBANSITES they aremostapplicable. DrawingCredit:BobWorden,RamsayWordenArchitects,Ltd. - - - - - 5 Site Design for BC Communities 0 sustainable design categories parcel, district, thecorridor, theblock, hand, bythe taxonomy thatisorganized,on theone What weofferinsteadisatwo-tier water systems,greenspace,and soon. such astransportation,housing, storm work accordingtofunctionalcategories have takenpainsNOTtoorganizethis urban communities.Consequentlywe preserve -thewholeclothofsustainable integrating theverythingwewantedto we hadidentifiedinpreviousefforts:dis ran theriskofrepeatingsamefailure outcomes intoausefulframework,we In theprocessofdistillingcharrette Taxonomy ofUrbanSites that aretheneighbourhoodstreets. and theirgreeninfrastructuretributaries imperative toprotectaquaticsystems of densities.Theyalsoincludeastrong housing inamixofformsandat providing affordableandappropriate to reducedependenceonthecar;and nected streetstoencouragewalkingand nities aroundtransit;designingintercon designing mixed-use,compactcommu research andpublicpolicy.Theyinclude not new-theyaregroundedinyearsof sustainable. Thesedesignstrategiesare for makingourcommunitiesmore charrettes wereclearandpracticalideas Part One. the fourcharretteprojectsdescribedin chose tofeaturethecasestudyresultsof tainable sitedesign.Forthisreason,we broad rangeofissuesthatbearonsus situations and that would encompass the that wouldberelevanttoavarietyofsite the sametime,wewantedaframework into alogicalandusefulframework.At number ofsustainabledesignstrategies a waytoorganizeanddistillthevast of NorthAmerica.Wewerelookingfor British Columbiaaswellinotherparts I over theresultsofworkdoneherein n producingthismanual,wepoured What emergedfromeachofthefour and,ontheother hand,bythe urban designscales and of of the green the - - - - - A DesignMethod PART TWO (2000) (seepp.46-47). Clayton NeighbourhoodConceptPlan from sevenprinciplesoutlinedintheEast in thesefourcategoriesweredistilled ment, infrastructure, socialmove and cost . Theprinciplesembedded - 5 Part Two – Taxonomy of Urban Sites Urban of Taxonomy – Two Part 1 5 Site Design for BC Communities 2 taxonomy ofurbansites Urban DesignScale maintenance costsofsystemsover Green InfrastructureforCanadian the longterm,andforeliminating fordability ofnewandretrofitted widely acceptedformaintaining further researchintothistopic, streams andnaturalareas.For a site’s downstreamimpacton Moffat, the ecology, economy, andaf communities, forminimizing structure” isbecomingmore The conceptof“greeninfra FURTHER RESEARCH City Green:AGuideto Municipalities please see: - - . services evenly. the regionbyreducingautouseanddistributing life withinawalkabledistanceofresidencesbenefit services, housing,transit,andotheractivitiesofdaily can affecttheentireregion.Districtsthatconcentrate electoral wards).Howdistrictsareshapedandfunction represent themostlocallevelofgovernment(e.g., where welive,work,play,andexchange.Theyoften tively compriseoururbanregions.Theyaretheplaces Districts arethegeographicandsocialunitsthatcollec District adherence toanyonestylisticurbandesignpattern. fabric ofthecommunityareathird. are another,andgreencenteredlargeblocksthatallownaturallandscapestopenetratedeeplyintothe blocks thatformgridironstreetpatternsareonetypeofblock,polygonalradialwebs or lesssustainableresults.Foreachscaletherearemanydifferenttypesofunits.instance,orthogonal Together andinpiecestheseunitscanbeorganizedconfigured inmanywaystoproduceeithermore The district,corridor,blockandparceltaxonomyisbasedonfunctionalprinciplesofurbandesign. and themorepermeableneighbourhood. smaller theblock,finergrain ofdevelopment disintegrated dendritic(ortree-like)streetsystem.The system, whilelargesuper-blocksaretheresultofa blocks resultfromamoreintegrated(ornet-like)street available afterastreetpatternisimposed.Smaller Blocks arethechunksofdevelopablelandthat Block In thisandotherrespects,applicationoffunctionalprinciplesoverrides - compromising streetinterconnectivity. should yieldtonaturalstreamcorridorswithoutunduly of interconnectedtransportationcorridorscanand and naturalareas.Laidovertheurbanfabric,asystem connect residentstocommercialservices,transitstops, corridors shouldbedesignedtowalkableand concentrate growthwhereitismostappropriate.Local transit corridorsshouldbedesignedtocoordinateand reflect theiruniqueandspecificfunctions.Regional boulevards, pathways,orstreams,corridorsneedto hoods, districts,andregions.Betheystreets,lanes, energy, andresourceswithinbetweenneighbour Corridors aretheconduitsformovingmaterials, Corridor satisfied without an automobile. that eventhesimplestofeverydayneeds cannotbe a contextthatbecomes,overtime, so car-dependent ture perindividualparcelserviced. It alsotranslatesinto aggregate, translatingintomoreexpensive infrastruc rages. Widerindividualparcelsmean lessdensityinthe ever-wider parcelstoaccommodate drivewaysandga resulted inawholenewsetofdimensions thatdemand The post-1950semphasisontheautomobilehas environmental implicationsfortherestofdistrict. house andyardhasimportantsocial,economic, However, whathappensatthescaleofindividual The parcelisthesmallestincrementofdevelopment. Parcel - - - 5 Part Two – Taxonomy of Urban Sites Urban of Taxonomy – Two Part 3 5 Site Design for BC Communities 2 want toremain. infrastructure createsacommunity inwhichpeople meaning tothefabricofacommunity. Ahealthysocial spaces areenrichingandaddquality, identity,and even onthesamestreet.Italsomeans thatpublic circumstances withinthesameneighbourhood and affordable foravarietyofincomegroups andfamily corner store.Itmeansthathousingisavailableand and thatresidentscanwalktoatransitstopor means thathousing,jobs,andservicesareclustered complete communities.Healthysocialinfrastructure Communities withahealthysocialinfrastructureare Social infrastructure preserve andenhancetheirecologicalfunction. as wellwithbikeandpedestriantrails,inwaysthat areas (suchasparkandschoolsites)withgreenways, mean integratingstreamsystemswithlargenatural to allowrainwaterinfiltratetheground.Itcanalso absorptive areasofthestreets,forests,andopen nity. Greeninfrastructurecanmeanusingthenaturally systems areintegratedintothestructureofacommu Green infrastructurereferstothewaysinwhichnatural Green infrastructure (see pgs.46-47). from anoriginalsetofsevenprinciplesoutlinedintheEastClaytonNeighbourhoodConceptPlan,2000 movement, socialinfrastructureandcost.Itshouldbeemphasizedthatthesefourcategorieswerederived of urbandesign,theseimperativestranslateintotheinterrelatedcategorieseco balances social,ecological,andeconomicimperatives.Whenweapplysustainablethinkingtoproblems While thewordsustainabilitydefiesabsolutedefinition,ithascommonlycometorepresentthatwhich - capital coststolocalgovernments. ing theenvironment,taxratesforcitizens, andfuture over thelongterm;andminimizecostofrestor of services;provideareasonablereturnoninvestment afford; provideanequitableandreliabledistribution This meansthattheycontainhomescitizenscan Sustainable communitiesareaffordablecommunities. Cost needed tosupportessentialfishandwildlifehabitat. provide streamswiththeprotectionandnutrients be dispersedandabsorbedinmanylocations, to travel,providerainwaterwithanopportunity streets, lanes,pathways,andstreamsprovideways designed withaninterconnectednetworkofgreen compromised. Sotoowithcommunities.Communities flow isinterruptedoraltered,theorganism’shealth materials andenergyinordertosurvive.Whenthis Organisms needaconstantandefficientflowof Movement taxonomy ofurbansites logical infrastructure, - Sustainability Categories Metropolis. Calthorpe, of theNewUrbanism. Company, Version 2.0. Duany andPlaterZyberk communities. Pleasesee: organizing principleforfunctioning work ofphysicalspacesasthekey design theoristsusethisframe Several NorthAmericanurban FURTHER RESEARCH The NextAmerica The Lexicon - 5 Part Two – Taxonomy of Urban Sites Urban of Taxonomy – Two Part 3 5 Site Design for BC Communities 4 Cost. Movement, SocialInfrastructureand the categoriesofGreenInfrastructure, Block, orParcelwithafourfoldfocuson the scaleofeitherDistrict,Corridor, strategies foraddressingsustainabilityat on pgs.52-53).Eachpageoutlinesfour “Taxonomy ofUrbanSites”(outlined format that corresponds to the two-tiered are organizedaccordingtoacommon The charrettestrategiesinthissection CHARRETTE STRATEGIES green infrastructure social infrastructure category. the sustainabledesign strategy foraddressing This identifiesaspecific Charrette Strategy addressed. the categorywas This illustratesvisuallyhow Illustration achieved. and howitwas performance standard sustainable design the strategymeets This describeswhy Description strategy. category addressedbythe This identifiesthesustainability Sustainability Category cost movement � � � � � � � � � � ������������������������������ ���������� �������� � ������ ��� ��� ��� ��� ������ ������� ����� ��������������������������������������������������������� ���� ��� ���������������������������������������������������������� ��������� �������������������������������������������������������� ������ ���� �������������������������������������������������������� ��� ��� ���������� ��������������������� ��� ����� ���� �������������� ��������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��������� ���� ���� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� � � � � � ����������� ������� �������� ������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ����� �� ������ ���� ���� ������ ������� ������ �������� �������� �������� �������� �������� �������� ����� �������� ����� � ���� ���� ����� ���� ������ ������ ������ ������ ������ ��������� ���������� �� ����� ������� �� ������ ����������� �������������������������������������������� ������ ���������� ������� �������������� ������ �������������� ������������� ������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ������������ ����� ����������� ���������� ������� ������� ������� ������ ������ ������� ������ ������ ������� ������� ������ ������ ��������� ����� ��� ���� ���� ����������� ������ ������ ��� ��������� � �� �������� ���� ������������ ���� �������� ��� ����� ����� ����� ����� ����� ����� ���� ����� ���� ��� ���� ������ �������� ���� ������ ������ ������� ���� ������ ��� ����� �� ����� ��������� � �������� ������ ���� ����� ����� ���������� ������ ������ ��������������� ���� ���� ������� ������ ���� ��� ���� ������ ��� ��������� ���� ��� �� ������� ������� ������ ����� ��������� Charrette StrategyID ���������� ���� ���� ������ ����� ���� ����� ����� ����� ������� ������ ����� ��� ���� �� ������ ������� ����� ��� ��� ��� �� ��� ��� � ��� strategies apply. scale atwhichthecharrette This identifiestheurbandesign Urban DesignScale �� ��� �� ��� �� ����� �� ���� �������� ������ ������ ��� ������ ������� ����� ������������ ���� ���� ������� ���������� ������� �������� ���������� ���� ��������� �� ��� �� ��� �������� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ����� ����� ���� ���� ������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ������� ���� ������� ����� ���� �������� ���� �������� ��� �������� �� ���������� ��� �� �� �� �� �� �� ����� ������� ������������������ ������ Charrette Name ������� ���� ������ ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� �������� ������� ������� ���������� ����������������� ���� ��������� ��������� ��������� ��������� ��������� ��� ������ � � �� �� �� �� �� ���� ��� ��� �� ��������� ���������� ������ ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ��������� ����� ��� ������� ���� ������ Charrette Icon ��������� �������� ������� ���� �� ��������������� ���� ���� ���� ������� ����� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ������� ������ ������ ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� �������� ����� ������� ��������������� ������� ������� ������ ���� ������� ���������� �� �� �� �������� �� �� ��������� �� �� �� ����� �� �� �������� ������ ������ ����� ������ ������ ������ ��� ����� � � � � � � ���� ���� ����� ����� ����� ����� ����� ���������� ��� ��������� �� ���� ���� ��� ������� �������� � ������ �� ���������������� �������� ���� ������� ������������� ��� ������ �������� �������� �������� � � � � � ������� ����� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� �� �� �� �� �� �� ������� ��������� ��� �� �� �� �� �� �� �������� ������� �� ����� �������������� �� �� ��� �� �� �� ���� �� ������ ������ ���� ���� ������� �� ������� ��� ���� ����� ������������� ����� ���� ����� ������� ��������� ���� ���� ������ ������ �������� ��������� ���������� ��������� ��������� ������� �������� �� ��� ������� ������� � ���� �� ���� �� � �� 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 5 Site Design for BC Communities 4 District A-D and employmentevenly. auto useandbydistributingservices dences benefittheregionbyreducing within awalkabledistanceofresi transit andotheractivitiesofdailylife trate services,housing,jobsand entire region.Districtsthatconcen shaped andfunctioncanaffectthe wards, forexample).Howdistrictsare level ofgovernment(asinelectoral They oftenrepresentthemostlocal we live,work,playandexchange. regions. Theyaretheplaceswhere units thatcombinetoformoururban Districts arethegeographicandsocial D 4 D 3 D 2 D 1 East Clayton C 4 C 3 C 2 C 1 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam B 4 B 3 B 2 B 1 Burnaby MountainCommunity A 4 A 3 A 2 A 1 Southeast FalseCreek Layer functionsinopenspace Centre everyneighbourhoodaroundasocialspace Design streetsandstreamsasonesystem Use highpointscarefully Share publicfacilities Employ naturalfeaturestoincreasevalue Put jobsnearpeople;applyflexiblezoning Fit developmenttotheland Create aregionofcentres Link withcommonground Connect themountaintoregion Build ondevelopedlandfirst Provide avarietyofaffordablehousingtypes Let thecentredefinecommunity Connect districtswithtransit Create aconnectedecologicalnetwork - - 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 5 Site Design for BC Communities 6 Southeast FalseCreek District A landscape. uses enhancestheutilityandamenityofthis“working” seawall. Thelayeringofecologicalandrecreational of linkedtreatmentmarshesadjoiningthepublic This reed-linedbiofiltrationsystemleadstoanetwork washing machines)flowingfromthisresidentialblock. stormwater andgreywater(fromresidentialsinks of asystemthatcapturesandcleans100%the site’s ecologicalhealth.Theplandetailshowspart green” areasthatareimportanttomaintainingthe In thisproposal,allgreenareasonthesiteare“working A1 Createaconnectedecologicalnetwork for communitygroups andforciviccelebrations. waters ofFalseCreek whilestillprovidingflexiblespace community, provides boatingaccesstotherestored on thewaterfront.Suchafacility,serving thelarger image aboveshowsaboathouse/multi-purpose centre activities andadapttochangingneeds overtime.The Community centresshouldaccommodate arangeof concentrate civic,institutional,and commercialactivity. In ordertoenliventhepublicrealm, itisimportantto A3 Letthecentredefinecommunity Treatment Marshes Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. and tootherregionaltransitlinks. downtown, totheSkyTrainstationatScienceWorld, to easilywalkorbiketheBroadwayCorridor, biking. Theoff-siteconnectionsallowSEFCresidents to off-sitestreets,yetpriorityisgivenwalkingand underground path.Majoron-sitestreetsareconnected a ferry,streetcar,roads,waterfrontpath,andan modes inalinkedsystem.TheseincludeSkyTrain, The imagebelowshowsnumeroustransportation A2 Connectdistrictswithtransit income families). with children(with 10%ofthisbeingintendedforlow- low-income households; 35%wouldbeforfamilies at least20%ofhousinginthisproposal wouldbefor every income,agegroup,andhousehold type.Overall, sizes, andtenures,whichmakesthe siteattractiveto shows asampleofbroadrange housingtypes, mix ofincomesandfamilytypes.The aboveimage A sustainablecommunitycanaccommodate adiverse A4 Provideavarietyofaffordable housingtypes Movement Cost Underground Tunnel Skytrain Streetcar Seawall Proposed Road Waterfront Ferry 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 5 Site Design for BC Communities 6 community combine tocreateacommunityheart. and wherethefabric oftheuniversityandnew the east.Thecentre iswhere“townandgown”meet mixed-use commercialandresidential linethestreetto or plaza.University-relatedusesare tothewestwhile university campusbywayofacentral meetingplace, for integratingthenewcommunity intotheexisting expense ofoldones.Theabovesketch showsastrategy Creating newcommunitiescanoften comeatthe B3 courses andforestedareastothesouth. ensures thepreservationandenhancementofstream development here,andputtingparkingunderground, parking. Concentratingthebulkofhigh-density development replacesareaspreviouslyusedforsurface In TeamTwo’sconceptbelow,thefootprintofnew means thatsensitiveareascanremainuntouched. Increasing densityonalreadydevelopedland B1 Linkwithcommonground Build ondevelopedlandfirst MAIN STREET Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure GRADUATE OFFICES ADMINIST- RATION RESEARCH HALL CONVOCATION TOWER FOREST MEETING PLACE TRANSIT MIXED USE EXPANSION ACADEMIC CONFERENCE HOTEL Burnaby MountainCommunity community forresidentsandstudents. provides shorthoptripswithinthemountaintop the baseofmountain.Afreecommunityshuttle frequent busservicetothenewSkyTrainstationat Burnaby Mountainintothelargerurbanfabricvia region. Theaboveshowsaconceptforintegrating between thesecommunitiesmeansamoreliveable communities. Providingfrequentandefficienttransit A regionismadeupofmanyinterdependent B2 Connectthemountaintoregion walking distanceof theirstudies. provide thenecessary housingforstudentswithin apartments overstreet levelcommercialuseswould stay inthecommunity.Above,four tosixstoreyrental other partsoftheregion.Moneysaved couldinturn while measurablyreducingthecosts ofcommutingto close tocampuscancreateavibrant communitycentre housing forstudents,teachingand professionalstaff Team Threeproposedthatintegrating affordable B4 HOUSING ‘TOWN’ MAINSTREET STUDENT SKYTRAIN HASTINGS Createareigonofcentres RETAIL FOODSTORE DOWNTOWN Cost Movement BURNABY LAKE CAMPUS LAKE CITY LAKE CITY STATION STUDENT OFFICE TRANSIT REGIONAL 24 m UNIVERSITY SFU ROAD STATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BMSS EDUCATION SFU CONFERENCE RETAIL/LOBBY ROOMS HOTEL CONSERVATION STATION BURQUITLAM AREA STONEY CREEK LOUGHEED MALL District B 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 5 Site Design for BC Communities 8 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam C District bicycle accesstothe VillageCentre. the south,andwill giveeasyandenjoyablefoot with naturalareas tothenorth,residentialdistricts community. This trail willconnectthenewcommunity proposed CoquitlamRiverTrail,akey featureofthe The Riverwalkplanmakesariverside trail,thenew immediate accessandcanincrease aproperty’svalue. homes aroundthesenaturalsystems allowsresidents obvious basisforlinkedgreenwaysystems. Locating In mostpartsofBC,streamsandrivers providethe C3 Employnaturalfeaturestoincrease value around existingcreeks. will betheleastdisruptive;anddevelopmentisfitted site; largerstructuresareontheflatareaswherethey Riverwalk: roadsandhousesfollowthecontoursof damage. Thisisparticularlytrueofhillsidesiteslike features youcanreducebothcostandecological landscape; butbyworkingwiththeexistingnatural Building newcommunitiesmeansreshapingthe C1 Fitdevelopmenttotheland Green Infrastructure Social Infrastructure to otherpartsoftheregion. distances long commuting than rather in, live they that community the in work can Residents blocks. residential most in allowed are residences live/work and businesses at-home Riverwalk, At different. is Riverwalk another. in away far services commercial and business area, one in houses – uses of separation strong a in results typically This areas. designated in uses restrict to used is Zoning C2 Putjobsnearpeople;applyflexiblezoning River Trail,canbe usedforeducationalpurposes. In returnparksand openspace–suchastheCoquitlam and fosteringinteraction betweendifferentagegroups. open tothepublic afterhours,therebydecreasingcosts way schoolfacilities(ei.gymnasiums andlibraries)are agreement, suchasthatenvisioned forRiverwalk.This of facilities.Oneansweristocreate ajointrecreation opportunities forenrichmentandwasteful duplication areas separately,resultinginunderutilized spaces,lost Municipalities oftenmanageschool, park,andnatural C4 Sharepublicfacilities Movement Cost 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 9 5 Site Design for BC Communities 8 site whenmakingitsfirstandmostbasicdecisions. responded totheinherentecologicalcapabilitiesof four-day charrette)illustrateshowthecharretteteam sketch below(completedduringtheseconddayof environment andahealthierwatershed.Theconcept origin ofthestream,weensureahealthierdownstream A streambeginsatitsheadwaters.Byprotectingthe D1 Usehighpointscarefully with theirneighbours. where residentscan dosmallerrandswhilesocializing all homes,theseclusters createsmallhubsofactivity daily needs.Distributed withinafive-minutewalkof people intheneighbourhoodeasy access totheir cluster ofcommercialservicesplaced atacornergives beyond walkingdistance.Intheimage above,asmall a litreofmilkorgoingtoplaygame offrisbee)are associated withsatisfyingbasicneeds (e.g.,buying discourages walking.Thisisbecause destinations Single-use zoningcreatesrelianceon carsand D3 Centre every neighbourhood around a social space Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure benefit foreach dollar spent. reduces costsand landwaste,ensuringmaximum those providedbytheother.Combining thesesystems functions providedbyonesystemsupport andbenefit stormwater managementareintegrated sothatthe In analternativedevelopmentpattern, parksand total costtothecommunityanduses landinefficiently. are designedandservicedseparately. Thisincreasesthe Typically, suburbanparksandstormwater infrastructure D4 Layerfunctionsinopenspace areas whereitcanslowlyreplenishthewatertable. through theintegratedstreetnetwork,tolargenatural of-way itself,andwhatcan’tbeabsorbedisdirected, on thesitewillbeabsorbedwithinstreetright- hydrological conditionsofthesite.Mostrainthatfalls the streetsaredesignedtoworkwithnatural constant flowofmaterialsandenergy.InEastClayton, Communities, likealllivingorganisms,requirea D2 Designstreetsandstreamsasonesystem Cost Movement East Clayton District District D 5 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 9 6 Site Design for BC Communities 0 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 1 6 Site Design for BC Communities 0 Corridor E-H H4 H3 H2 H1 East Clayton G4 G3 G2 G1 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam F4 F3 F2 F1 Burnaby MountainCommunity E4 E3 E2 E1 Southeast FalseCreek street interconnectivity. ridors withoutundulycompromising and shouldyieldtonaturalstream cor an interconnectedstreetnetwork can and soon.Laidovertheurban fabric, vices, transitstopsandnatural areas, connect residentstocommercial ser should bedesignedtowalkableand it ismostappropriate.Localcorridors dinate andconcentrategrowthwhere corridors shouldbedesignedtocoor and specificfunctions.Regionaltransit streams —needtoreflecttheirunique streets, lanes,boulevards,pathwaysor all typesandatscales—bethey districts, andregions.Corridorsof within andbetweenneighbourhoods, ing materials,energyandresources Corridors aretheconduitsformov Create akeylocation Provide parkingwisely Design anetworkofinterconnectingstreets Create anurbanforest Use cheapermaterials Make streetstoincludemanyformsoftransportation Design narrowstreets Use abridge,notculvert Make streetscheaper Create asenseofenclosure Fit streetstotheslope Move stormwateralongthestreet Centre activityona“MainStreet” Use streetstoframeviews Create safeandcomfortablestreets Create urbangardens - - - - 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 1 6 Site Design for BC Communities 2 Southeast FalseCreek Corridor E “framing” thestreet. to theroad–contributes totheimpactoftheseviews by three-to-four-storey continuousbuildingwallsetclosely and ScienceWorld aremaintained.Thestreetwall– a North Shoremountains,cityhall,the downtowncore, design ensuresthatviewstolocallandmarks suchasthe In theplandetailshown,street orientationand emphasize keystructuresorlocations withinthedistrict. grid streetpatternscanprotectlong viewsand/or Grid streetpatternsusuallyprotect longviews.Modified E3 Usestreetstoframeviews only beautiful,butalsoedible! the communitywitha“gardenlandscape”thatisnot bearing plantsinandalongthesepublicwaysprovides Extensive plantingoffruitandnuttreesfruit- that linkstohabitatareasalongandjustofftheshore. system inthisimageisactuallyalinearhabitatcorridor image belowdemonstrateshowthisisdone.Thestreet for songbirds,amphibians,plants,andinsects.The Even ahigh-densityresidentialareacanprovidehabitat E1 Createurbangardens COLUMBIA ST DOWNTOWN VIEW TO Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure NORTH SHORE MOUNTAINS HIGH STREET VIEW TO COMMUNITY CEN SCHOOL MANITOBA ST TRE/ CAFE MARKET SALT CARE DAY SCIENCE VIEW TO WORLD STREET CAR provide ameansforfurtheranimatingthestreet. gives thestreetanevenstrongeredgewhilebalconies and thesidewalk.The“zero”setbackofbuildings shade andcreateastrongedgebetweentheroadway on eithersideofthestreet.Streettreesprovideareas pedestrians byparking,locatedwithingrassyverges two travellanes.Movingtrafficisbufferedfrom narrow roadway(approximately6mwide)acomodates local streetshowshowthismaybeaccomplished.A more peopletousethem.Thecutawayviewofthis Designing streetsforsafetyandcomfortwillencourage E2 Createsafeandcomfortablestreets that passthrough byfoot,car,bicycleorstreetcar. Street while serving neighbourhood residents and those Retail, services,andworkshopspaces animatetheMain to therestofcityalonganactive streetcorridor. the positionthatacentrecouldbe linear andconnect commercial heartofthecommunity. TeamTwotook A primarythrough-corridorcanbecome the E4 Centreactivityona“MainStreet” Cost Movement 3m2.25m5.5m Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 3 6 Site Design for BC Communities 2 give anurbanrhythm tothestreet. corner locations(good forcommercialservices),and frequently interconnect createshorterblocks,addmore as toblanketthestreet indarkshadow.Streetsthat an “urban”streetenclosure,without beingsotall minimum distancesfromtheproperty linetoprovide seven storeymaximumheightbuildings aresetback In thedrawingabovefromTeam Threeplan, provide adefinedandaccomodating placeforusers. Buildings shouldreinforcetheedges ofthestreetand F3 walking andbiking. the shortestpossibleroute,increasingviabilityof neighbourhood destinationsarealwaysaccessiblevia pipe. Interconnectingstreetsystemsalsoensurethat route, ratherthanbeingfunneledintoasingle,large runoff canbedispersedbetweenmorethanone handle stormwateronthesurface,meaningthat larger. Incontrast,narrow,interconnectedstreets and peoplemoveviaconduitsthatgetprogressively In conventional,hierarchicalroadsystems,water F1 Movestormwateralongthestreet Createasenseofenclosure Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Burnaby MountainCommunity transportation. travels byfoot,bike,wheelchairoranyothermodeof less allowingforeaseofmovement,whetherone of thesite.Streetslopesarebetween5%and7%or in a“flowinggrid”tofollowthesouthfacingslope example fromtheTeamTwoplan,streetsarelaidout and efficientlymovebothwaterpeople.Inthis to thelandscape,costlessbuildandmaintain, Streets thatfollowtheterraincreatelessdisruption F2 curbs andgutters. ecologically destructive hardinfrastructuresuchas grates andoverflowinletsreplace expensive and sidewalks, reinforcedgrassshoulders, individualtree and sidewalks.Softinfrastructure,such aspervious provide moreroomforinfiltration trenches, streettrees building” infrastructure.Narrower, cheaperstreets Unnecessary costscanoftenresult from “over- F4 Fitstreetstotheslope Make streetscheaper Cost Movement Corridor F 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 3 6 Site Design for BC Communities 4 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam Corridor G cleaning stormwater runofffromthestreet. the streetand trailprotectspedestrianswhile trail forbikingandwalking.Theplanting areabetween sidewalk, onevehicletravellanein each directionanda above showsaroadwaythatincludes apedestrian transportation shouldfeelwelcome. Thecutawayview Streets carrymorethanjustcars–other formsof transportation G3 Makestreetstoincludemany formsof environmental impactstotheCoquitlamRiver. design werechosentovirtuallyeliminatedirect as illustratedbelow.Thecrossinglocationandbridge to thesiteisalsobybridgeoverCoquitlamRiver, to crossthecreeksthatflowthroughsite.Access bridges. TheRiverwalkproposalusesbridgesinstead are moredifficultforwildlifetotravelthroughthan Culverts causemoreimpacttowatercoursesand G1 Useabridge,notculvert Social Infrastructure 6’3’10’ Green Infrastructure INFILTRATION ZONE 59’ RIGHT-OF-WAY INFILTRATION ZONE INFILTRATION ZONE QUALITY WATER TRAIL Drawing credit: Stacy Moriarty, Moriarty and Company, Ltd. walking corridor. and completestheenvelopeofspacethatdefines between sidewalksandroadwaysprotectpedestrians sidewalk provideeyesonthestreet.Streettreeslocated Houses withfrontdoorsandwindowsclosetothe street acomfortablescaleforpedestriansandcyclists. gravel vergesthatdoubleasparkingpull-outsgivethe Small frontyardsetbacks,anarrowedtravellaneand Narrow streetsencourageanimatedstreetactivity. G2 Designnarrowstreets systems. and environmentallyunfriendlycurb andgutter to build.Crushedstoneparkingstrips replaceexpensive materials calmstrafficandmakesstreets lessexpensive Reducing streetwidthandswitching tomorenatural G4 Usecheapermaterials Movement Cost 5’10’18’ INFILTRAT- ZONE ION 48’ RIGHT-OF-WAY INFILTRAT- ZONE ION 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 6 Site Design for BC Communities 4 width ofthestreet isdramaticallyreduced. the parkingsurface isshadedandthattheperceived and alongthestreet edgeensurethatthemajorityof passing cars.Lots oftreesplantedonparkingislands above, createsashieldbetweenpedestrians and other hand,isabundant.Angledparking, asshown commercial buildings.Parkingonthe street,onthe lots inEastClaytonarelocatedbehind, notinfrontof, sidewalk linedwithparkinglots.Dedicated parking Nothing islessinterestingandmore exposedthana H3 Provideparkingwisely the adjacentartificialstream. corridor forbirdsandgivesshadetothesidewalk of theroadway.Thislinearforestbecomesahabitat provides acanopylargeenoughtocover60percent development. On this “riparian parkway,” a mix of trees reestablishing forestandhydrologicalsystemslostto Streets andothercorridorsareideallocationsfor H1 Createanurbanforest 3.2m7.5m2m-4m Varies 4.3-5.317m19m 2m5.7m4.3m 4m -6m 45degreeangled Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure parking Varies8.6m-18m 27mROW 27m 45degreeangled Artificial Stream Varies 9.5m-10m parkingVaries people. This includesthemovementofwater,fish,wildlifeand satisfied inthemostefficientandhealthywaypossible. traffic, butalsotoensurethatmanydifferentneedsare a modifiedgridpattern,notonlytodispersetheflowof East Claytonusesaninterconnectedsystemofstreets,in H2 Designanetworkofinterconnectingstreets provide protection fromtherain. see intoshopwindows, whileoverhangsandcanopies is setsnuglyagainst thesidewalksothatpedestrians can the streetevenafterstoresareclosed. Thebuilding offices andresidencesabovethestores, ensuringlifeon lively. “MainStreets,”liketheoneshown above,have activity andprovidesenoughcustomers tokeepshops services alongacentralcorridor,it provides afocusfor When youconcentratestores,offices, andcommunity H4 Createakeylocation Cost Movement East Clayton Corridor H 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 6 Site Design for BC Communities 6 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 6 Site Design for BC Communities 6 Block I-L pattern isimposed.Smallerblocks land thatareavailableafterastreet Blocks arethechunksofdevelopable L 4 L 3 L 2 L 1 East Clayton K 4 K 3 K 2 K 1 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam J 4 J 3 J 2 J 1 Burnaby MountainCommunity I 4 I 3 I 2 I 1 Southeast FalseCreek the morepermeableisneigh finer thegrainofdevelopmentand blocks. Thesmallertheblock, system dominatedbydead-end tegrated dendritic(ortree-like)street super-blocks aretheresultofadisin net-like) streetsystem,whilelarge result fromamoreintegrated(or Add densityatthecorners Layer publicspaceintotheblock Make continuoussidewalks Wrap blocksaroundnaturalfeatures Design blocksefficiently Design blockstoencourageflow Modify blockstofavournaturalfeatures Manage stormwaterblockby Accomodate manyparceltypeswithinablock Layer publicspaceintoeachblock Create mid-blockconnection Allow naturalfeaturestoshapetheblock Create flexiblerow-houseblocks Encourage connection Make shortblocks Manage stormwaterinthemiddleofablock - - 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 6 Site Design for BC Communities 8 Southeast FalseCreek Block I passers-by. even conversationalexchangebetween residentsand and frontstoops,asshownabove, allow visualand residents andthepubliclifeofstreet. between blocksinaneighbourhood andbetween The sidewalkisanessentialconnective element I3 Encourageconnection soil. dries outafteradayorsoaswaterinfiltratesintothe but fillswithwaterimmediatelyafteritrains.Thespace green. Thespaceisusedforrecreationwhenitdry below showsacentralstormwaterbioremediation community’s naturalsystemsaremanaged.Theimage This helpsresidentsandvisitorsunderstandhowthe “Working greens”shouldbelocatedprominently. I1 Managestormwaterinthemiddleofablock Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Tight setbacks Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. the existingcityfabrictosite’ssouth. 60m, whichcontinuestheblockpatternestablishedby chose ablockdimensionofapproximately180mby more intersectionsmeanslowercarspeeds.TeamThree people. Shorterblocksmeanmoreintersectionsand Large blocksareimpenetrabletothemovementof I2 Makeshortblocks change. affordable options evenwhenfamilycircumstances welcomes arange ofincomegroupsandprovides walking distanceof localtransit.Thiskindofdiversity convenient toon-sitestoresandservices andarewithin of apartmentandloftbuildings,all ofwhichare families, andindividualscanchoose amongarange a varietyofways.Theelderly,empty-nesters, young while seeminglyallonesize,areactually configuredin The imageaboveshowstownhouse typebuildingsthat, I4 Createflexiblerow-houseblocks Cost Movement Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 9 6 Site Design for BC Communities 8 shops liningthestreet tospilloutontothesidewalk. gather. Thegenerous dimensionsofthestreetallow for flexible spaceforpeopletoshop,stroll, study,and the edgesofmarketplacesquare, creatingasunny, Four, three-storeycommercialand office buildingsline without thedisturbanceofcars.In the designbyTeam plaza, allowingpeopletomovefreely andinteract Pedestrian-only streetscanfunction asalinearpublic J3 Layerpublicspaceintoeachblock allow for the easy migration of fish, people, and wildlife. the stream,whileintermittentpathwaysandbridges top ofthestreambankprotecthabitatenvelope courses. 15to30metrewideripariansetbacksfromthe block isbrokenintopiecesbythepreservedstream decisions. Intheplandetailbelow,alargerresidential Environmental considerationsshouldinformalldesign J1 Allownaturalfeaturestoshapetheblock Green Infrastructure Social Infrastructure Burnaby MountainCommunity building. commercial usesin thesameblockandeven accommodate small businesses,live/workunits,or and adaptive.Zoningwouldbeflexible enoughto shows agrainofdevelopmentthat ishighlyefficient the CityofPortlandOR,thathasblocks thissize) example ofa60bymetre“Portland Block”(after opportunities forlocaleconomicdevelopment. This Smaller blockswithmanyparcelscreate more J4 Accommodatemanyparceltypes withinablock design makesthisanappealingplacetowalk. walking onthestreet.Theintegrationofwaterinto block pedestrianroutethatprovidesanalternativeto building scaleandlocation.Thisexampleshowsamid- distances providedtheyardstickfordetermining were excludedfromthecampusproperandwalking In theoriginalErickson/MasseyvisionforSFU,cars J2 Createmid-blockconnections Cost Movement Block J 6 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 9 7 Site Design for BC Communities 0 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam Block K stormwater managementduringheavyrainevents. green suitableforrecreationorgatherings,and central openspacesserveadualpurposeaspublic demonstrating auniquerelationshiptonature.Large legible “blocks,”eachhavingitsownidentityand river andsite’sstreamstodividethecommunityinto neighbourhood identity.TheRiverwalkplanusesthe Preserving naturalfeaturesisanidealwaytoenhance K1 Managestormwaterblockby driveways andgarages withsuitesabove. Lanes arealsoprovidedwherepossible toaccessrear the patternofstreetswaslaidoutto connectthem. of pocketsdevelopmentwasdecided firstand emphasize accessforpeopleinstead. Thelocation of thecar.Inthisproposal,view ischangedto Streets andlanesareusuallydesigned totheneeds K3 Designblockstoencourageflow Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Infiltration Zones of wherever economically viable. replace surfaceparking. parking isonallsurrounding streetstosupplementor and ononly50% or lessofthedevelopedsite.Diagonal Surface parkingislocatedintherear ofthestructure the conventionalstandard)iscritical tothisstrategy. space per1metrecommercial (abouthalfof uses. Parkingrequirementsofabout 1metreparking construction costswhilemaximizing synergybetween storey buildingwithstreet-oriented configurationsaves Compressing commercialactivities in acompactmulti- K4 Designblocksefficiently wildlife. connecting corridorforthemovementofwaterand the stream.Thiscourseinturnbecomesanessential blocks defertothestreamcourse,ratherthandiverting riparian areas,andgreenstreets.Asshownbelow, Many blocksinRiverwalkareorientedtowardsparks, features withoutundulycompromisingconnectivity. A modifiedblockpatternfavoursthelocationofnatural K2 Modifyblockstofavournaturalfeatures Cost Movement Underground parking isused 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 1 7 Site Design for BC Communities 0 energy andwastewater systems. spaces canaccommodate district-scalealternative Designed appropriately,theselarge centralcommunity and createsavenueforenvironmental learning. community underlinestheirimportance toresidents stormwater retentionareaswithinthe centreofa what wevalue.Combiningschools, parks,and How westructureneighbourhoods saysalotabout L3 Layerpublicspaceintotheblock material thatallowsfornaturalinfiltration. distance fromthetopofbank,andbepavedwitha little disturbanceaspossible,besetbackanappropriate their specialattributes.Accessroutesshouldimposeas should alsoallowpeopletoconnectwith,andenjoy value. Blocksshouldformaroundthesefeatures,but importance tofishandwildlife,fortheirintrinsic and functionofimportantaquaticsystems,fortheir Development shouldrespecttheecologicalstructure L1 Wrapblocksaroundnaturalfeatures Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure 25m-30msetbackfromtopofbank 4.0multi-use required) material path (pervious surface the neighbourhood. without detracting fromthesingle-familycharacterof the diversityofincomesandfamily types withinablock less expensiveowner-occupiedhome), thusenhancing garage providesanalternativetoapartment living(ora above, arentalcoach-houseunitabove andbesidethe sides oftheunitwillfaceastreet.In theexample Corner parcelsareidealplacestoadd densityastwo L4 Adddensityatthecorners garage backfromthehousefacade,asshownbelow. narrowing theirentryatcurbsideandbypushingthe driveways arenecessary,theirimpactcanbelimitedby connectivity alongthepublicstreet.Wherefront reason, rearlanesareidealformaximizingpedestrian to pedestriancomfortandconnectivity.Forthis a district.Drivewayentriesareconsiderablebarrier in aneighbourhoodandbetweenneighbourhoods Sidewalks aretheconnectivetissuebetweenblocks L2 Makecontinuoussidewalks Movement Cost East Clayton Block L 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 1 7 Site Design for BC Communities 2 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 3 7 Site Design for BC Communities 2 Parcel M-P P 4 P 3 P 2 P 1 East Clayton O 4 O 3 O 2 O 1 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam N 4 N 3 N 2 N 1 Burnaby MountainCommunity M 4 M 3 M 2 M 1 Southeast FalseCreek at thescaleofindividualhouseand development. However,whathappens The parcelisthesmallestincrementof be satisfiedwithoutacar. the simplestofeverydayneeds cannot over time,socardependentthat even translates intoacontextthat becomes, per individual parcel serviced. It also meaning more expensive infrastructure mean less density in the aggregate, and garages. Wider individual parcels parcels toaccommodatedriveways dimensions thatdemandever-wider has resultedinawholenewsetof 1950) emphasisontheautomobile rest ofthedistrict.Therecent(post- and environmentalimplicationsforthe yard hasimportantsocial,economic Layer livingandworking Create organicunity Maintain flowthroughtheparcels Design smartparcels Layer livingspaceontheparcel Use landstoaccessopenspace Provide afrontdooronthestreet Place buildingsinresponsetonaturalfeatures Design smartparcels Design homesaroundacourtyard Use lanestoincreaseaccess Minimize hardsurfaces Layer livingandworking Provide semi-privateopenspaceforeachhome Use tightsetbacks Step theenvelope 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 3 7 Site Design for BC Communities 4 Southeast FalseCreek M Parcel outdoors andsocializewithneighbours. storey unitsandbasementsuitesto alsoenjoythe elementary school.Patiosandbalconies allowupper access toaprivategardenandisclose tothenearby four-storey townhouse(shownabove) hasdirect In TeamTwo’sproposed“townhouse district,”each M3 Providesemi-privateopenspace foreachhome uninterrupted greeninfrastructure. fuse buildingswithgreenstreetsystemstoform courtyards, roadwaysandboulevards/swales, cooling. Adjacentareas,includinggreenwalkways, allows roofstobeplantedforbothgardeningand outdoor space,andisorientedtowardsthesun.This building shownbelowisterracedinordertomaximize objective oftheSoutheastFalseCreekcharrette.The of buildingshelpedmeetthe“sustainaingspace” Incorporating “greeninfrastructure”intothefunction M1 Steptheenvelope (paved) roadway parking swale sidewalk front yard quiet backyard 11m average16m3m2.5m2m Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure reed grassfiltration grey waterseptictreatment grey watercollection of roofs plant 50% ~FRONT STOOP~BACKYARD TYPICAL ROWHOUSE ~4 STOREY water collects filterd perforated pipe porch commuting long distances towork. parent tostayathome withyoungchildrenratherthan occupants. “Live-work”unitslikethese allowaworking exchange betweenlive-workresidents andday-use can adapttodiverseneedswhilepromoting social of amixed-usebuildingshowsflexible spacethat economically vibrantcommunity.The abovesection Mixed-use structuresandsettingshelp tocreatean M4 Layerlivingandworking street. for pedestrianswhileframingviewsattheendsof front yardsetbackscreateapleasantandsafeenvelope traffic andtoreducecarspeed.Streettreestight on-street parkingcombinetodiscouragethrough- below showsa“porchstreet.”Itsnarrowwidthand to provideaplaceforpeopleinteract.Theimage A residentialstreet’smostimportantfunctionmaybe M2 Usetightsetbacks Cost Movement residential live/work retailorwork/live A TYPICALPORCHSTREET 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 7 Site Design for BC Communities 4 experimentation. social interaction, environmentalstewardshipand shared resourceforresidentsandcreate avenuefor of acourtyardblock,communitygardens providea access tooutdoorspace.Asshown aboveinthesketch enhancing socialinteraction,while givingresidents around asemi-privateopenarea,are idealfor Courtyard housing,whereinhomes areorganized N3 Designhomesaroundacourtyard downstream erosion. eliminate anycontributiontostormwaterloadsand roof gardensdesignedtoinfiltrateandstorerainwater “forest fingers”topenetratetheblock.Largegreen are nestledintothemountainsideandinviteabsorptive Above, narrowandtallbuildingsofabout10storeys Increasing densityshouldnotsacrificenaturalsystems. N1 Minimizehardsurfaces Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Burnaby MountainCommunity neighbours andasafeplaceforchildrentoplay. lane, itbecomesaplaceforsocialinteractionamong adjacent ripariangreenway.Withunitsoverlookingthe a rearlanegiveseachtownhouseparcelaccesstothe areas, peopleneedaccesstonaturalareas.Asshown, Whether inground-orientedunitsorhigherdensity N2 Uselanestoincreaseaccess traditional energy sources. heating andcooling canbecost-effectivealternatives to climates withlong periodsofsunshine,ground-source provide shadeand coolinginhotsummermonths.In penetrate thebuildingwhenitismost needed,and and structuralarticulationcanallow thesunto energy costs.Overhangs,highperformance glazing orientation canplayameasurable role inreducing parcel. Aconsiderationassimple building Energy efficiencybeginsatthescale oftheindividual N4 Designsmartparcels Cost Movement Parcel N 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 5 7 Site Design for BC Communities 6 Riverwalk ontheCoquitlam Parcel O slopes remainundeveloped. are buildings located on the flatter, more forgiving, sites. The steepest density high footprint, large Riverwalk, but still buildable sites reduces development impacts. At Placing large lot/small footprint housing types on sloped Steeply sloping areas are easily damaged by development. O1 Placebuildingsinresponsetonaturalfeatures without leavingthecomfortof“home.” the backyardandallowspeopleto accessthepark Here, thesemi-publiclanehaseffect ofextending and casualday-to-daycontactbetween neighbours. Like streets,parksprovideanopportunity forsocializing O3 Uselanestoaccessopenspace above 1storeyretail 3 StoreyResidential Coquitlam River Trail Proposed Green Infrastructure Social Infrastructure Centre Village Roads Local Environmentally Preserved Land Rock Outcrop Detatched Homes Single Roads Local s about andcarefor. which includestheminacommunitythattheycancare one’s kids.Italsogiveseachfamilyapublic“face,” distance tocarrythegroceriesandsafelyshepherd door thatgivesdirectaccessfromthestreetmeansless People liketohaveeasyaccesstheirhome.Afront O2 Provideafrontdooronthestreet front dooronapublic right-of-way. access fromthelaneallowstenants tohavetheirown homeowners andrentersindependent space,while illustration. Separatingthesuitefrom thehousegives the optionofasuiteabovegarage, asseeninthis their ownhome.Housesthatback onto alanehave Secondary suitescanhelpyoungfamilies toafford O4 Layerlivingspaceontheparcel Movement Cost Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 7 Site Design for BC Communities 6 suburban developments. the factthatdensity isalmosttwicethatofconventional front facadesmaintain the“single-familyfeel”despite people-friendly (as opposedtomerelycar-friendly) by apowerfulsenseofunity.Peaked roofformsand great diversityofhousingandtenure typesismasked the processesofchange.Onthisresidential street,a connect withthepastandfeelmore comfortablewith make acommunityspecial.Thisallows peopleto and changewhilemaintainingthe elements that Creating organicunitymeansaccomodating variation P3 Createorganicunity while ensuringthatyardsurfacesstaywalkable. make thebackyardsoil“sponge”evenmoreabsorbent roof watertoundergroundinfiltrationchambers.These where itfalls.Splashpadsandgradingquicklydirect surfaced walkwaysandparkingpadsabsorbwaternear typical rainevents.Perviouspavers,orcrushedstone- drains offroofs,parkingsurfaces,andpathwaysduring like smallsponges,capableofabsorbingtherainthat Individual lawnsandbackyardsinEastClaytonwillbe P1 Designsmartparcels parking pad& crushed stone infiltration pit rain barrel 10 m(33’) Social Infrastructure Green Infrastructure swale with perforated pipe 27.5m (90’) rollover curb coverage atmaturity) with curb tree inyard(40% infiltration base lane ongravel boulevard sidewalk tree in Drawing credit: Bob Worden, Ramsay Worden Architects, Ltd. alternative toworking farfromsmallchildren. variety ofstart-up businessesandcangiveparentsan of interiorspace,thes on theupperfloors. ground-floor office/retailspaceand aresidencelocated neighbourhood. Thelive/workunit shownabovehas that mightotherwisehavetolocate outsidethe affordable spaceforsmallbusinesses —businesses increases the diversity of a neighbourhood and provides Layering livingandworkingspace within asingleunit P4 Layerlivingandworking of water,airandpeopleontheparcel. envelopes asshown,allowsforthehealthiermovement the urbanlandscape.Breakingbuildingsintosmaller also meansthatasinglelargebuildingmassdominates absorbed naturally,butmustbeconveyedoff-site.It that themajorityofrainfallingonthesesitescannotbe between 80% and 100% of the surface area. This means associated withcommercialandindustrialusescover In manysuburbanareas,buildingsandparkingareas P2 Maintainflowthroughlargeparcels Movement Cost With ahighlyflexible arrangement e unitscanbeincubators fora East Clayton Parcel P 7 Part Two – Charrette Strategies Charrette – Two Part 7 7 Site Design for BC Communities 8 Overarching Principles. design, andsecond,accordingtotheSix according tothefourscalesofurban Design Guidelinesareorganizedfirst, Guidelines a seriesofsiteandcommunity whole. Flowingfromtheseprinciplesare make upanessentialpieceofaunified creating vibranturbancentres)andeach (from capitalizingonnaturalassets,to community andsitedesignobjectives Each ofthesixprinciplesaddressarange them into distilled theStrategies,andgrouped and parcels.Inthissection,wehave sustainable districts,corridors,blocks revealed scoresofwaystodesignmore The CharretteStrategiesfromPartTwo A DESIGNAPPROACH Six OverarchingPrinciples (beginningonpage86).The Design . 9 7 Part Three – Six Guiding Principles � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � - � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Design Guidelines Design Checklist Six Overarching Principles Six Overarching to meet multiple (and often competing) competing) often (and multiple meet to objectives. sustainability corridor, block, parcel – featured in the corridor, block, parcel Sites. They are then Taxonomy of Urban to the appropriate organized according As guidelines, overarching principle. regulatory or they are not fundamentally but are meant to prescriptive in nature of how sites, com provoke a rethinking designed be might munities, and regions A Design Approach A Design PART THREE THREE PART - - - - - Design (introduced on page 86). Overarching Principles followed by Overarching Principles he following section presents Six he following section Individually, the six principles address The principles and guidelines were The principles and guidelines Like the Charrette Strategies, the Design Guidelines are presented according to the four scales of urban design – district, gies, the above principles provided the methodological basis for the Guidelines of the whole. Design Guidelines Together with the Charrette Strate as part of a larger, integrated system within which the health of each compo nent part is dependent upon the health homes and services, to protecting water shed systems and their associated green infrastructure networks. Combined, the six principles deal with sites and districts design, from designing mixed-use, compact communities around transit, to designing interconnected streets and pathways, to providing affordable varying aspects of community and site 3 Layer the systems 4 Create a centre 5 Employ an economy of means 6 Make it home 1 Capitalize on the site 2 Connect the flows Six Overarching Principles The Six Overarching Principles that emerged out of the Charrette Strategies are: proposal, which itself was informed by proposal, which itself was informed by extensive policy for more sustainable development. completed charrette proposals. This ensured that each principle and guide line was firmly grounded in a charrette the usual process of working from the particular design rule to the general plan and instead derived the specific design rules from the integrated whole of the Strategies distilled from the Charrette from Part Two. In this way we reversed a series of site and community Design a series of site and community constitute Guidelines, which collectively com a tool kit for more sustainable munity design. T 8 Site Design for BC Communities 0 capitalize onthesite Six OverarchingPrinciples 1 while alsokeepingsomebusinessesinplacecapitalizesonexistingsitefunctions. topography. Aretrofitofabrownfieldindustrialareathatrebuildsdegradednaturalsystems the contours,andaresituatedonmoregentlyslopedbenchlands,capitalizessite’s equitable andefficient.Forinstance,ahillsidecommunityinwhichhousesstreetsfollow and districts.Findingthebestfitbetweennewexistingcommunityelementsisboth Capitalizing onthesiteallowsnewblocksanddistrictstoconnectaddexisting Photo source: Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. Photo source: Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. Photo source: Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. to provideafoundation forcommunitygrowth. can alsocapitalize onexistingresidentsandservices age causedbyprevious users.Developmentplans vide anopportunity tomitigateenvironmentaldam housing demandsofagrowingpopulation andpro Redevelopment ofbrownfieldsites canmeetthe and revealsnaturalsystemsatwork. to thecommunity,increasesresidentsatisfaction, gration andprotectionofnaturalfeaturesaddsvalue for greeninfrastructureandrecreationalneeds.Inte Natural featurescanbepreservedandcarefullyused sale valuetohomes. available views.Evenpartialviewscanbringahigher Homes situatedonhillsideterracescapitalize - - - Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 1 8 Site Design for BC Communities 0 route forcars,bikes andpedestrians. access totherear of parcelsandanalternative a valuablecomponent ofthisnetwork,providing including pedestrians andcyclists.Lanescanbe provides directandsaferoutesformultiple users, An interconnectednetworkoflocal streets trians cangetaroundonsuchanetwork. shopping hubs.Buses,cars,bicyclesandpedes efficiently connectshomestoemploymentand A sustainablenetworkoftransportationcorridors community. to connecttheflowofpeoplethroughout system. Theyalsoprovideanidealopportunity and playakeyroleingreeninfrastructure Preserved streamcorridorsprovidefishhabitat exchange, water,fish,andwildlifeworktogether. also connecttheflows.Asustainableregionisoneinwhichflowsofpeople,cars,economic stream corridorsarerecognized,celebrated,andcaredforasapartoflargerregionalsystem serve allthedistrictsinaregionfurtherconnectflows.Aneighbourhoodordistrictwhich laced withmulti-modaltransportationcorridorsconnecttheflows.Transportationthat hoods, districts,andregions.Neighbourhoodsthatarebuiltaroundatransithubindistrict To connecttheflowsistolinktogetherelementsofacommunitythatneighbour - connect theflows Six OverarchingPrinciples Photo source: Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. - 2 Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 1 8 Site Design for BC Communities 2 layer thesystems Six OverarchingPrinciples 3 Layering thesystemsmeansbuildingmanyfunctions,oruses,intoeachelementofacom residents isalsoalayeredneighbourhood. bourhood thatincorporatesavarietyofhousingtypesinordertomeetthechangingneedsits provide naturalstormdrainage,andsupplypedestrianroutesisalayeredcommunity.Aneigh community thatutilizesastreamcorridortoenrichtheexperiencesofchildren,enhancehabitat, space thatfulfillsrecreation,stormwatermanagement,andhabitatneedsisalayeredspace.A munity, thusrevealinghowthelandscapeandcommunityoperateasoneunit.Outdoorpublic to thecommunity. for children,andreveals thewonderofnaturalprocesses impacts towater quality, provideseasyaccesstonature stream corridorsincreases landuseefficiency,mitigates pedestrian corridorsandstormdrainage onandaround recreational functions.Layeringoutdoor publicspace, Riparian areascanbepreservedfor ecologicaland meet theirdailyneedswithinwalkingdistance. viding aneighborhood‘cornerstore,’allowsresidentsto Layering commercialandresidentialuses,suchaspro the neighbourhood. increase thevarietyofhousingoptionsavailablewithin home. Townhousesorapartmentslocatedaboveshops opment meansatleastonefamilymembercanwork Layering workingandlivinginonemixed-usedevel - - - - Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 3 8 Site Design for BC Communities 2 local commercial services. density requiredto fosteralivelystreetlifeandsupport located aroundthe centreprovidethepopulation Higher densitypedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods sations. space centrecanpromotecasualmeetingsandconver the home.Situatedalongapedestrianroute,open for celebrationsandaplacetocongregateoutsideof A neighbourhoodpublicopenspaceprovidesavenue tion locationforvisitors. the dailyneedsoflocalresidentsandbecomeadestina A carefullyorchestrated“MainStreet”canprovidefor uses andcanprovidealinearcentreforthecommunity. Transportation corridorsattractcommercialandretail ciently concentratedalsopreservesandconservesopenspacesensitivenaturalareas. core provideslotsofcustomersforthecentre.Acentredcommunitywheredevelopmentisef one areahasacentre;andconcentratinghigher-densitypedestrianneighbourhoodsaroundthe centre; acommunitythatisdesignedtoclustercommercialuses,publicservices,andtransitin reduce dependenceoncars.Aneighbourhoodthathasapublicgreenspaceasitsfocus their dailyneedsaroundadensecoremakesiteasierforpeopletogetwhattheyneedandcan To createacentreistoconcentrateuseswheretheyaremostneeded.Groupingresidentsand - - Six OverarchingPrinciples create acentre fi - Photo source: Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. 4 Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 3 8 Site Design for BC Communities 4 economy ofmeans Six OverarchingPrinciples 5 An economyofmeansismakingitworkwithnothingwasted.Itlessroadperperson, ate thebestandmostaffordablecommunitypossible. an economyofmeans.Applyingmeanscapitalizesonallaspectsasitetocre a suiteabovethegarageinordertoincreasedensityanddecreasehousingcostsalsoexhibits provides opportunitiestoworknearorathomeexhibitsaneconomyofmeans.Ahousethathas save costs,andbringnaturetoone’sdooremploysaneconomyofmeans.Acommunitythat incorporates lighter,cheaper,smarterandgreenerinfrastructureinordertocleanstormwater, land perhouse,fewercartripsfamily,andmoremoneyinyourpocket.Acom stormwater on-site.Byworkingwith,notagainstthe Neighbourhoods cancapture,cleanandinfiltrate fewer cartripsper person,andmoreaccessibletransit. resulting inlessroad perperson,lesslandhouse, More compactdevelopment requireslessinfrastructure, independently, yetneartheirfamily. and providesspaceforeldersoryoungadultstolive income levels.Thesuitealsoactsasamortgagehelper house canprovidehousingforavarietyoftenuresand A singlefamilyhomewithasecondarysuiteorcoach it falls. stormwater becaptured,cleanedandinfiltratedwhere can bereduced.Narrowstreetswithsoftshoulderslet natural cyclesofthesite,installationandrepaircosts munity that - Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 5 8 Site Design for BC Communities 4 home. comfortable forwalking makepeoplefeelmoreat part inagreeninfrastructure system.Streetsthatare rounding community.Theycanalso playanimportant corridors linkingpedestrainsandcyclists tothesur Greenways arelinearrecreational,travel, andhabitat visitors cansocialize. residents feelathomeisaplacewhereand neighbourhood welcoming.Awhere pedestrian friendlystreetsworktogethertomakethe Shallow frontyardsetbacks,aporchorstoop,and place onecallshome. can turnwhatwasjustthestreetwhereonelivesto just theirhouseandyard.Thisenduringattachment for communityresidentstoconnectwithmorethan corridor providesanimmediatelyavailableopportunity wildlife habitatfunctions,apreservedorrestoredcreek By includingrecreation,stormwatermanagementand a communitywhereresidentscanfeel“athome.” people tomeetandgreettheirneighbours.Acommunitythatnurturesasenseofhomewillbe for itschildrenandothercreatures.Housesthatfrontontopedestrian-friendlystreetsallow that developsaparkandgreenwaysystemaroundcreekcorridornurturessenseofhome as preservingamajornaturalareathefocusofneworrebuiltcommunity.Acommunity Nurturing asenseofhomecanbeassimplecreatingplacesforpeopletointeract,orgrand - Six OverarchingPrinciples make ithome 6 Part Three – Six Guiding Principles Guiding Six – Three Part 8 5 8 Site Design for BC Communities 6 social infrastructure green infrastructure presented inacommonformat. enced. Asillustratedbelow,eachpageis research and/orrelatedpolicyarerefer guideline; inothercases,linkstofurther mance criteriaareusedtosupportthe specific targets,thresholdsandperfor community design.Whereappropriate, for moresustainablebuilding,siteand sound researchand/oremergingpolicy implementation. Theyaregroundedin to alesserdegree,onengineeringand pects ofsiteandcommunitydesignand, overarching principles. and secondaccordingtooneofthesix first accordingtourbandesignscale, The Design Guidelinesareorganized DESIGN GUIDELINES The guidelinesfocusprimarilyonas the designobjective. This illustrates how to achieve Diagram addresses. design categorytheguideline identify whichsustainable The greenshadedsquares Category Sustainability sustainable community. creating ormaintaininga overarching principlesfor This listswhichofthesix Principle Overarching on thetopicsaddressed. more detailedinformation This indicateswheretofind Further Research mation onhowtoachieve This providesfurtherinfor Sidebar of theprinciple. objective fulfillstheintentions This explainshowthedesign Description egies anddesignguidelines. ence to related charrette strat This providesacross-refer Guidelines Related Strategies/ cost movement ------objective. achieve thedesign This describesawayto Guideline �� �� �� �� �� ������������������������������ �������� ������������������������������� ������������������������������� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������ ���������� ���������� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� ������������������������������� ���������� �������� ������������������������������ ���������� ���������� �������� ���������������������� � ������������������������������� ������������������������������� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������ ���������� ���������� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� development density of 5600m2 (65,000 sq. (65,000 5600m2 of density development redevelopment is to use urban sites that are that sites urban use to is redevelopment “nodal” development (as in municipalities in (as development “nodal” Vancouver,integrated Burnaby);and and District’sboundary);growthpoliciesurban conatainment boundary (as in the case of case the in conatainment(asboundary the Greater VancouverDistrict’sGreaterRegional the such as Kelowna, Nanaimo, Surrey, North Recommended best practice for locating for practice best Recommended FURTHER FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY FURTHER FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY FURTHER FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Green Zone and the NanaimoRegionalthe and Zone Green through: the establishment of an urban an establishmentof thethrough: transportation and land use planning. use land and transportation ft.) per acre, or two storey development storey two or acre, per ft.) development in already built-up areas built-upalready in development Proft and Condon, “The Effects of located within an existing minimum existing an within located Cole, Hassan and Theaker, Government Law and Advocacy. and Law Government that promotecentre,thattownvillage,or LEED Nowlan, Rolfe, and Grant, Local governments can encourage can governments Local Burchell,al.,et CONTAININGCONTAINING URBAN URBAN GROWTH GROWTH CONTAINING URBAN GROWTH CONTAININGCONTAINING URBAN URBAN GROWTH GROWTH Smart Growth Guide to Local to Guide Growth Smart Developer Cost Charges on URBAN URBAN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT URBAN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT URBAN URBAN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT TM BC Applications Guide. (LEED Sustainable Growth.” Sustainable Sprawl – RevisitedSprawl– TM BC, 2001, p. 10). TheCostsof Draft The . . �������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������� �������������������������� ���������� ���������� ���������� ����������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ���������� ���������� ������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ � � � � � ������������� ������������� ������������� ������������� ������������� �������� �������������� �� �� �� �� �� � � � � � �� �� �� �� �� Design GuidelineID ������������ ������������ ������������ �������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� �������� ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ������������ ������������ principle applies. scale atwhichtheguiding This identifiestheurbandesign Scale principle. conform withtheoverarching This identifiesonewayto Guideline Objective This isjustforfun. Quote Part Three – Design Guidelines for District for Guidelines Design – Three Part 8 7 8 Site Design for BC Communities 6 District 1-14 14 Make itHome 13 12 11 An EconomyofMeans 10 9 8 Create aCentre 7 Layer theSystems 6 5 4 Connect theFlows 3 2 1 Capitalize ontheSite and employmentevenly. auto useandbydistributingservices dences benefittheregionbyreducing within awalkabledistanceofresi transit andotheractivitiesofdailylife trate services,housing,jobsand entire region.Districtsthatconcen shaped andfunctioncanaffectthe wards forexample).Howdistrictsare level ofgovernment(asinelectoral They oftenrepresentthemostlocal we live,work,playandexchange. regions. Theyaretheplaceswhere units thatcombinetoformoururban Districts arethegeographicandsocial Derive communityidentityfromthelandscape Employ naturalfeaturestoincreasevalue Share publicfacilities Put jobsnearpeople Centre everyneighbourhoodaroundsocialspace Let thecentredefinecommunity Create aregionofcentres Layer functionsinopenspace Connect thedistricttoregion Create aconnectedecologicalnetwork Design streetsandstreamsasonesystem Fit developmenttotheland Include existingresidents Build ondevelopedlandfirst - - Part Three – Design Guidelines for District for Guidelines Design – Three Part 8 7 8 Site Design for BC Communities 8 capitalize onthesite 1 2; 3;8;24;29.4;38 Related Guidelines B1; C1;J4;L4;P4 Related CharretteStrategies sq. ft.)peracre,ortwostoreydevelopment District Burnaby); andintegratedtransportation Nanaimo, Surrey,NorthVancouver,and development densityof5600m2(65,000 are locatedwithinanexistingminimum Recommended bestpracticeforlocating District’s GreenZoneandtheNanaimo centre, village,or“nodal”development through: theestablishmentofanurban redevelopment istouseurbansitesthat conatainment boundary(asinthecase (as inmunicipalitiessuchasKelowna, development inalreadybuilt-upareas boundary); policiesthatpromotetown Burchell, etal., FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Cole, HassanandTheaker, of theGreaterVancouverRegional CONTAINING URBANGROWTH Local governmentscanencourage LEED Government LawandAdvocacy. Proft andCondon,“TheEffects Regional District’surbangrowth Nowlan, Rolfe,andGrant, of DeveloperCostChargeson Smart GrowthGuidetoLocal URBAN REDEVELOPMENT TM (LEED BC ApplicationsGuide. Sustainable Growth.” The CostsofSprawl TM BC,2001,p.10). – Revisited Draft The . . the pressuretosprawl. By capitalizingonunder-utilizedland,wecanreduce that arelessefficientlydevelopedthantheycouldbe. existing communities.Withinanydistrictthereareareas areas areoftenideallocationsforaddingdensitywithin Vacant orunder-usedareasadjacenttodeveloped 1.1 Infill tural andhabitatareasmayremainuntouched. our pastcreativeandeconomicinvestments.Buildingonalreadydevelopedlandalsomeansundevelopedagricul By buildingandrebuildingwithindevelopedareas,wecanretainthehistoryofourcommunitiescapitalizeon experience.” EduardoRauch,Parabola,Winter1993. “There arecitiesbuiltuponcities,one,two,ahundredtimesover,eachofthemleavingtheirdetritusmemory,tragedy, 1 Buildondevelopedlandfirst of making greyinfrastructure green. velopment canoften providetheonlypracticalmeans unsustainable, the newinvestmentbroughtbyinfill de additional cost.In caseswhereexistinginfrastructure is structure canaccommodateincreased useatlittleorno a moreefficienturbanfabric.Often theexistinginfra tighter networkofstreetsandbuildings willprovide veloped places.Asdevelopmentdivides largelots,a and servicescanfirstbemetbyinfilling inunderde As populationgrows,thedemand for morehousing - - - As demandforhousingandservicesbuilds,theseholes or stripcommercialdevelopmentonceexisted. munity fabric.Thisisparticularlytruewhereindustrial Land usechangesovertimecanleaveholesinthecom 1.2 Retrofit streams. us torevealsuchburiedgreeninfrastructure ashistoric damage causedbyprevioususes,and italsoenables provides anopportunitytomitigate anyenvironmental provide spacefornewuses.Retrofitting fornewuses - - 2 District capitalize on the site 2 Include existing residents. “When change occurs too suddenly and arbitrarily it’s destructive. And when things don’t change at all, that’s destructive too.” Jane Jacobs, Parabola, Winter 1993. The inhabitants of every site of development have a history. It is important to take their needs and desires into consideration when planning to expand their community. It is often difficult for a new community to attract jobs and services; finding ways to include existing businesses and services would be of economic benefit to a devel- Related Charrette Strategies oping community. Capitalize on existing residents and services in order to provide a foundation for community A3; A4; B3; I4; J4; P3 development and growth. Related Guidelines 9; 32; 37; 41; 42 INCREMENTAL CHANGE Opposition to change can be mitigated by ensuring that the broad objectives of the 89 community are reflected in local planning and development processes and that com- Part Three – Design Guidelines for District munity stakeholders have a voice in the 2.1 Fit the Old Into the New planning processes. Development that treats the site as a “clean slate” will necessarily displace existing businesses and residents. Methods for facilitating involvement and Develop plans that include space for existing users. achieving community buy-in include: • Citizen involvement in OCP review processes; • Identifying and monitoring performance indicators; • Community-based mapping and environmental inventories; and • Design charrettes (see Part One of this manual). 2.2 Grow Incrementally Change works best when it occurs one step at a time. Incremental development is the best way to allow new uses to grow around existing ones, keeping jobs and services within the expanding community. Look for ways to add new homes to existing structures, new structures to existing lots, and new lots to existing communities. Resident opposition to change is often a function of the extent of that change. Existing residents can more easily embrace incremental, respectful, and organic growth. FURTHER RESEARCH La Rochelle, ed., “Citizen Involvment Tools” in The Smart Growth Tool Kit. 2.3 Link with Common Ground New development can disrupt and degrade adjacent Sanoff, Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning. communities. Providing a common meeting ground that physically and socially unites adjacent areas can Crofton, Sustainable community successfully weave new development into old. Creat- planning and development: Partici- ing a park, public square, or new community building pation tools and practices. are just three ways of establishing a shared centre for a changing community. 3 District District capitalize on the site 3 Fit development to the land “…Thor stepped forward and with one blow of his hammer smashed the rock giant to bits.” Tom White, Parabola, Winter 1993. Building new communities means reshaping the landscape. Building “from the ground up” — respecting site hydrology, soil structure, topography, and natural features — can minimize the cost and consequences of develop- Related Charrette Strategies ment. Each district has a variety of landscape conditions that can help to direct the location and form of develop- B1; C1; D4; F2; J1; K2; L1; O1 ment. Understanding topography, soil, and hydrology is a necessary first step in the planning and development process. Related Guidelines 3.1 Embrace Natural Features 3.2 Use High Points Carefully Every district is home to important natural features. High points are very visible and desirable locations. 1; 7.3; 9.1; 15; 17; 27; 33 The careful use of natural features for recreation and When development leaves them unbuilt, environmental green infrastructure adds value to the community, impacts are reduced while access to these points can be increases economic stability and resident satisfaction, available to all. Capitalize on the district’s high points in and reveals how the world works. Integrate and protect a district by preserving them for the whole community. natural features in order to capitalize on them for the mutual benefit of both human and non-human com- munities. ECOSYSTEM PLANNING Ecosystem planning is a means by which local governments can identify, map, 90 prioritize and protect key environmentally 91 sensitive features, such as watersheds, water-courses, flood-plains, riparian zones, wetlands, areas of biological diversity, steep Part Three – Design Guidelines for District slopes, habitat corridors, etc. in order to ensure that resource protection objectives are met as development proceeds. Ecosystem Planning tools include: • Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) maps and inventories • Watershed-based zoning • Streamside Protection and Site Design for BC Communities Enhancement Areas • Stewardship bylaws STREAMSIDE PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT AREAS The Streamside Protection Regulation (Fish Protection Act, 1997, c. 21, ss. 12, 13 (1) and 37 (2)) identifies streamside protection and enhancement areas as those areas adjacent to a stream that link aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems. This includes both the riparian area vegetation and the adjacent upland vegetation influencing the stream. The regulation establishes protection and setback requirements for both permanent (perennial) and non-permanent (intermittent) streams. Setbacks are to be determined according to the presence or absence of and/or condition of riparian habitat along a stream bank. FURTHER RESEARCH/ POLICY +15% BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Regulatory Impact Statement in Support of the Streamside Protection Policy 15m - 60m Directives Developed Under Section buffer 12 of the Fish Protection Act. SBC 1997, c. 21 http://www.elp.gov.bc.ca/fsh/ protection_act/sppd/index.html 3.3 Buffer 3.4 Place More Density on Gradual Slopes Most people greatly value having nature close to home. It is easier to build on gradual slopes (1% to 15%) than Chillibeck, Chislet, and Norris, Land Development Guidelines for Green systems should be protected for their social, it is to build on steep ones. Steer intense development the Protection of Aquatic Habitat. economic, and ecological value. Streams require wide to gradual slopes as “table-flat” lands are often either forested buffers in order to maintain water temperature best suited to agriculture or are environmentally sensi- Department of Fisheries and and to ensure a food supply for fish. Human use in tive. Reduce requirements for flat land in each lot to Oceans, Ministry of Envrionment, these areas must be carefully controlled, and in some maximize land efficiency and to minimize earthworks. Lands and Parks, Stewardship Bylaws: A Guide for Local cases, prohibited to preserve natural function and to Connect developed terraces with streets that either Government. maintain the qualities that give these areas their value. follow the contours or that climb steeply over short distances. 4 District District connect the flows 4 Design streets and streams as one system “In Esmerelda, city of water, a network of canals and a network of streets span and intersect each other.” Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972. Conventional stormwater systems move all rainwater via underground pipes. Small pipes connect to bigger pipes until they disgorge dirty water into sensitive streams. Street systems must mimic stream and watershed systems to save them. Interconnected streets can hold, move, and absorb stormwater within the surface of each right-of- Related Charrette Strategies way. They must absorb stormwater just as do forests, holding almost all of the water that falls on the site in the soil A1; D4; F1; F2; G1; H2; J1; K1; L1; so that it can gradually filter below ground to streams or to deep aquifers. Designing streets like forests and their N1 streams means that, once the new community is built, the fish will notice no change. Related Guidelines 3; 4; 5; 7.3; 15; 16; 17; 19; 27; 36 WATERSHED BASED ZONING Watershed-based zoning establishes 90 criteria for watershed health based 91 on current physical, chemical, and biological health of streams, and their Part Three – Design Guidelines for District 4.1 Understand the Watershed future desired condition. Based on Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes, from the scale these criteria, policies can be developed of a river basin to that of an individual parcel and yard. that address stream protection and What happens at each scale, from the district to the buffer widths, development density, individual parcel affects the hydrological performance and limits on effective impervious of the larger watershed. areas (i.e., streets and roofs). This allows land use decisions to be based on whether a development meets established performance criteria for Site Design for BC Communities watershed health. Under the Local Government Act, local governments can establish 4.2 Direct the Flow the maximum percentage of an Streets provide an ideal vehicle for integrating local area of land that can be covered watersheds to the larger hydrological system. The street by impermeable material. These network should work with, not against, the natural maximum thresholds can then be drainage patterns of a site. Small storms should all be applied at the scale of the watershed absorbed by streetside and yard soils. Large storms, (S. 907 (3)). those that occur just a few times a year, are a different matter. Within the connected ecological network, large natural areas such as schools and parks are ideal places for diverting runoff from very large storms and for integrating biological treatment/wetland areas into the district. School and park sites also offer the best oppor- tunity for increasing the biotic diversity of the site and for managing the headwaters of receiving streams. FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Chilibeck and Sterling, Urban Stormwater Guidelines and Best Management Practices for Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat. Centre for Watershed Protection, The 4.3 Absorb and Clean Water Practice of Watershed Protection: Research suggests that the health of watersheds is com- Techniques for Protecting and Restor- promised when the effective impervious area (com- ing Urban Watersheds. (www.cwp.org) prised mostly of streets and rooftops) exceeds 10% of an entire watershed. Reducing the width of streets will Province of British Columbia, Local Government Act. S. 907. reduce the amount of impervious surface area, while using the roadside area to clean and absorb rainwater Richman & Associates, Dress & will minimize the impact of remaining impervious McKee, and Ferguson, Start at the surfaces. It is possible to reduce a total impervious area Source: Residential Site Planning & of 50% to an effective impervious area of 10% or less Design Guidance Manual for Storm- through this means. water Quality Protection. 5 District District connect the flows 5 Create a connected ecological network “…beside a sacred fount the Tree is placed.” The Epic of Gilgamesh, 4,000 B.C. Virtually every part of a sustainable community has a function within the ecological system of the district. This is true of public as well as of private open space. Recognize the role of public and private open space in creating a district-wide green network. The green network of streets, yards, and parks serves both ecological and social Related Charrette Strategies purposes by supporting the surface drainage system, contributing to the urban forest, providing sufficient bird and A1; C1; C3; E1; F1; G1; H1; K1 fish habitat, maintaining base flows in streams, and providing areas for both passive and active recreation. 5.1 The Ecological Network 5.2 Private Yards and Gardens Related Guidelines All public and private open space should combine to Because private open space is individually owned, we 3; 4; 6.3; 7.3; 8.1; 10.2; 13.1; create a network of green infrastructure. This allows us sometimes forget that each parcel is a part of a greater 19; 27 to dramatically decrease the negative consequences of whole. Yards and gardens provide private outdoor development while capitalizing on nature’s generous space for residents, while well designed yards and recreational and aesthetic qualities. gardens collect, clean, and infiltrate water. Vegetation can be layered to provide bird habitat — habitat that is sometimes more attractive to some bird species than are mature forests. Ideally, each private outdoor space should make a positive contribution to the ecology of URBAN HABITAT the district. The East Clatyon Neighbourhood Concept 92 Plan recommends at least 40% of school/ 93 park sites be covered by tree canopy and that at least 50% of the sites’ total area Part Three – Design Guidelines for District have habitat value. Site Design for BC Communities FURTHER RESEARCH Campbell and Pincott, Naturescape British Columbia: Caring for Wildlife Habitat at Home. The Provincial Guide. http://www.hctf.ca/nature.htm Collyer and Holmes, All Hands in the Dirt: A Guide to Designing and Creating Natural School Grounds. Vancouver, BC: Evergreen Founda- tion. http://www.evergreen.ca/ 5.3 Schools 5.4 Utility Rights-of-Way Combined school and park sites can act as the green Many communities have utility rights-of-way (ROWs), Moffat, City Green: A Guide to heart of a community and can be designed to enrich which are publicly accessible under certain conditions; Green Infrastructure for Canadian habitat and maximize the health of receiving streams. however, maintenance requirements generally discour- Municipalities. Areas of forest cover and naturalized wetlands or reten- age naturalization. These areas also often require yearly clearing. Nonetheless, ROWs can provide useful links City of Surrey Department of tion ponds can provide stream protection and bird Planning and Development et habitat. The discharge of clean water and necessary for birds and other wildlife, pedestrians, equestrians, al, East Clayton Neighbourhood nutrients into stream waters can be managed within and bikes, thus contributing to movement through the Concept Plan. this new form of public green infrastructure. district. 5 District District connect the flows 92 93 5.5 Riparian Areas Riparian areas, which are usually associated with natural Part Three – Design Guidelines for District streams, are locations that have been left undisturbed by development. These locations preserve precious habitat for significant numbers of bird, aquatic, and animal species. They also provide community residents with fully mature natural areas. Preserved riparian areas within a 10 minute walk can greatly increase the sale and resale value of new homes. When carefully inte- grated into the neighbourhood and preserved as public nature parks, riparian areas can be a very powerful Site Design for BC Communities capital asset to any community. This, of course, is in ad- dition to their obvious value for protecting endangered ecological communities. Preserved riparian areas can, and should, also provide for bike and pedestrian trails. While these trails must be located so as to minimize impact to sensitive streams, opportunities for contact with nature should be taken advantage of. 5.6 Parks and Linear Open Space Neighbourhood parks are irreplaceable aspects of the social functioning of a community and are well suited to stormwater infiltration. Linear open space — such as bike routes, greenways, and public parkways — connect the movement of people, water, and wildlife through- out the community. They both connect the individual components of the ecological network and provide valuable habitat/stormwater management services. Strive for a diverse urban forest comprised primarily of native trees (to provide native insects for fish and wildlife). For park sites, provide tree canopy over at least 50% of the site. This urban forest will help compensate FURTHER RESEARCH for the loss of the original forest, replacing some habitat and substantially replicating lost hydrological function. Hamilton and Quayle. Impact of Riparian Suburban Greenways on Property Values. Netusil and Bolitzer, “The Impact of Open Spaces on Property Values in Portland, Oregon” Netusil et al, “Can Open Spaces Be Self Financing: Results from Portland, Oregon” 6 District District connect the flows 6 Connect the district to the region “What is more beautiful than a road? It is the symbol and the image of an active, varied life.” George Sand, Consuelo, Vol. II. Corridors are the arteries of a region. They connect the flows of materials, goods, residents, and wildlife within and between communities. A coherent system of interconnected streets can disperse traffic while creating important Related Charrette Strategies places at key intersections. Different types of corridors are appropriate for different types of movement. Street A1; C1; C3; D2; D4; E1; F1; F2; networks should respond to neighborhoods rather than vice versa. Connect the flows by making a district-wide G1; G3; H1; H2 network of different corridors. Related Guidelines 4; 5; 8.2; 14.3; 15; 16; 18; 25; 28 TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR Changes in land use and the built 94 environment can have a significant effect 6.1 High Capacity Road Network 95 on travel demand (i.e., automobile trip An efficient system of arterials can provide smooth-flow- duration and frequency, and modal ing connections between regional employment and Part Three – Design Guidelines for District choice). shopping hubs and are often magnets for commercial activity. Calm arterials and make them compatible with Together with mixed-uses and high pedestrian use. Provide designated commuter bike employment and housing densities, inte- lanes along arterials when there is no other alternative. grated street networks and pedestrian-ori- Let roads serve pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. ented design measures can reduce vehicle kilometres travelled by 45% or more. Site Design for BC Communities 6.2 Local and Collector Street Network A sustainable street system is not hierarchical; rather, it is an integrated whole within which all roads con- tribute. Many of our older, and most liveable, cities include only local streets and “trolley-car” arterials in an interconnected street system. The interconnected street system is also an inclusive system, as it provides direct and safe routes for multiple users, including cyclists. This is in opposition to the hierarchical, disintegrated, disconnected system of cul-de-sac, residential, resi- dential collector, collector, and suburban arterial street system strategy — a strategy that has generated unbear- able levels of congestion on major streets. FURTHER RESEARCH Litman, “Land Use Impact Costs of 6.3 Greenways and Bikeways Transportation.” Greenways are linear recreational, travel, and habi- Cervaro, “Travel Choices in Pedes- tat corridors that link pedestrians and cyclists to the trian Versus Automobile Oriented surrounding community and regional open space Neighbourhoods.” system. Greenways can also perform important green infrastructure and ecological functions, such as habitat Criterion Engineers and Planners, connectivity, surface stormwater conveyance, and bio- Benefits of Neotraditional filtration. The interlaced system of stream and greenway Development. corridors provides a network of bike, pedestrian, and wildlife routes that connect important destinations within the district. 7 District District layer the systems 7 Layer functions in open space ”…it has nothing that makes it seem a city, except the water pipes that rise vertically where the houses should be and spread out horizontally where the floors should be.” Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972. When people see the way things work, they begin to understand them. We love what we understand and we take care of what we love. Layer servicing, ecological, and social functions throughout private and public open space. Do this in an integrated way and make sure that it is visible. Schools, natural areas and private yards and gardens Related Charrette Strategies can all fulfill multiple functions. A1; C4; D4; I1; J1; J3; K1; K2; L1; L3 Related Guidelines 5; 12; 27; 30; 31 community gardens WETLAND DESIGN The design of retention/wetlands should 94 achieve an optimum ratio between water 95 7.1 Social Functions depth and maintaining the appropriate The school and schoolyard of a sustainable community aquatic and terrestrial habitat to support Part Three – Design Guidelines for District can be a perfect example of integration. The school a rich and diverse ecosystem. On shared serves the educational needs of the community and can school/park sites, measures to ensure also provide a cultural and social resource. For example, safety and provide access to a variety of portions of the schoolyard can serve as a site for com- users should be addressed through the munity gardens. appropriate use of vegetation, buffers and landform. Site Design for BC Communities 7.2 Recreational Functions The schoolyard’s playfields help to serve the commu- nity’s recreational needs. Students use them during the day while on weekends and holidays they are used by residents and sports groups. 7.3 Ecological Functions Integrated school/park sites can show students how FURTHER RESEARCH their environment works.The large, flat, and open nature of school playfields also makes them an ideal Furguson, Introduction to Stormwater: location for stormwater storage. During the 5 to 100- Concept, Purpose, Design. year storm events (e.g., 7.5 to 12.5 centimetres of rain in 24 hours in the Lower Mainland), not all stormwater Model Schools Program, Evergreen can be infiltrated where it falls. In such cases, excess Foundation. stormwater can be conveyed (either on street verges http://www.evergreen.ca/en/lg/lg.html or underground) to district playfields where it can be stored and slowly infiltrated into the soil and/or re- Richman and Associates, Start at the leased clean, at controlled rates, into receiving streams. Source. Forested and reforested areas on the site provide habitat and contribute to site hydrology. 8 District District create a centre 8 Create a region of centres “...just as there is a best size for every animal, so the same is true for every human institution.” J.B.S. Haldane, The World of Mathematics, 1956. A region of concentrated centres provides jobs and services close to home, saves money on infrastructure, and makes a regional transit system viable. Centres work at multiple scales: neighbourhood centres combine to form a Related Charrette Strategies district, and district centres combine to form a region. Development based on centres means that each community A3; A4; B2; B4; C2; E4; G3; H4; can preserve valuable greenspace and farmland. The ecological and economic value of undeveloped land will O4; P4 remain well into the future. 8.1 A Green Legacy 8.2 Concentrate and Condense Concentrated centres enhance social and economic Related Guidelines Drawing a line around natural assets such as stream function. Viewed as a district of neighbourhoods, each 1; 5; 9; 11; 22 corridors, wetlands, and low-lying agricultural areas identifies a green “backbone” around which a neigh- circle depicts a residential mix organized around a 5 bourhood, district, or regional community may be minute walk to a small commercial and transit node: structured. Locating growth around this framework Viewed as a region of districts, each circle depicts a means that areas with high ecological, social, and regional transit node surrounded by more intensive agricultural value will maintain their productivity and residential and commercial uses. These provide the health. density needed to support frequent service. Density CENTRES may decrease with distance from the centre. An average neighbourhood density of 96 25 units per hectare (10 units per acre) 97 is considered the minimum to support a viable transit system. Part Three – Design Guidelines for District Given an average walking pace, neigh- bourhoods based on an average 5 minute walk would range in size from between 16 hectares (40 acres) up to approximately 30 hectares (75 acres). Site Design for BC Communities FURTHER RESEARCH Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc., Cambridge Systematics,Inc. and Calthorpe Associates,“Making the Land Use Transportation Air Quality Connec- 8.3 Connect the Centres 8.4 A Region of Centres tion – the Pedestrian Environment.” Efficient connections make a more liveable community. Neighbourhood centres combine to form a district, and Within a neighbourhood or district, interconnected district centres combine to form a region, while natural Calthorpe, The Next American streets and an effective transit system help people meet features provide the overall structure for development. Metropolis. their daily needs without a car. Regionally, high-capac- Building communities around a green framework en- ity transit and major thoroughfares connect major sures that high-value ecological, social, and agricultural Holtzclaw, Using Residential Patterns activity centres. Regional connections catalyze sustain- areas will be kept close to the people who benefit from and Transit to Decrease Auto Depen- able economic and urban development and will reduce them. At every scale, interconnected transportation cor- dence and Costs. overall dependence on the automobile. ridors connect the centres. 9 District District create a centre 9 Let the centre define the community “Ah and around this centre: the rose of onlooking blooms and unblossoms.” Rainer Maria Rilke, “The Fifth Elegy”, in The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, 1982. A neighbourhood centre gives a community its identity and its anchor. A neighbourhood centre may provide a place for informal social interactions or daily shopping. A district centre offers access to other districts, provides civic services, and satisfies weekly shopping needs. A region built of numerous centres equitably and economically Related Charrette Strategies fulfills the economic, transportation, and social needs of its citizens. A3; B2; E4; F3; H3; H4; M2; N3 Related Guidelines 1; 8; 10 ; 18; 22; 24; 39 LAND USE MIX 9.1 Something at the Centre A centre is not just a geographic location, it is also the Employment densities and jobs/housing 96 point where all the radii of a circle meet. Within a com- balance are two important factors 97 munity, it is the place where residents meet. Make a affecting changes in travel behaviour. centre that means something to community residents: Part Three – Design Guidelines for District do this by including civic, economic, transportation, The mix of uses in each district and and social functions. Use civic buildings, public parks neighbourhood centre will vary depending and squares, people-friendly streets, and a broad mix of upon context and location; however the activities including shopping, working, living, walking, following are suggested ranges: sitting, playing, and watching. For neighbourhood centres • Public uses: 10% - 15% Site Design for BC Communities • Employment: 10% - 20% • Housing: 60% - 90% For district centres • Public uses: 10% - 15% • Employment: 30% - 70% 9.2 Denser at the Centre • Housing: 30% - 70% Density is relative to urban context. This means devel- opment density will generally increase as one moves from a rural community to a suburban community to a city centre. Within each community there will also be a range of densities. Regardless of urban context, make each district denser at the centre. Include a variety of land uses and residential types to maximize diversity, activity and synergy between uses. This will ensure that more people are located close to their daily needs and that there will be a large enough population within the centre of the district for animated social exchange. FURTHER RESEARCH Calthorpe, The Next American Metropolis. Cervero and Radisch, “Travel Choic- es in Pedestrian Versus Automobile Oriented Neighborhoods.” Holtzclaw, “How Compact Neigh- borhoods Affect Modal Choice – Two Examples.” http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/ 9.3 Districts of Smaller Centres articles/modal.asp. The neighbourhoods that make up a district are also organized around a centre. Structuring each neigh- Institute of Transportation Engineers, bourhood according to a five-minute walk to commer- Traditional Neighbourhood Develop- cial services and transit (a 400-metre-radius circle for ment Guidelines. relatively flat sites) adds convenience and reduces auto dependance. 10 District District create a centre 10 Centre every neighbourhood around social space “In Mexico, in any small town plaza every Thursday and Sunday night with the band playing and the weather mild, the boys walk this way, the girls walk that, around and around, and the mothers and fathers sit on iron-scrolled benches and watch.” Ray Bradbury, “The Boys Walk This Way, The Girls Walk That,” in West, 1970. Ideally, each block has some kind of gathering place. Some are small — a bench on the boulevard — while others Related Charrette Strategies can take up to a whole block. Ensure that each home is located within a 3 minute walk of social space. This social A3; B3; D3; D4; E2; F3; I1; J3; L3 space need not be a garden or park but also may take the form of a public square or coffee shop with an outside seating area. Related Guidelines 2; 5.6; 7; 9; 13.2; 29; 31; 35.2; 42.4 10.1 The Neighbourhood Store 98 Each family should be no further than a 5 minute walk 99 from a neighbourhood store. This store may have a suite above it or may be located within an outbuilding of a family home. The neighbourhood store provides Part Three – Design Guidelines for District an opportunity for families to live and work in the same area, and, because it is small, the street can accom- modate its parking needs. Situate the building close to the street in order to ensure a strong pedestrian orientation (i.e., build it to the property line or at a maximum setback of 2 metres). Because the store is in a residential area, its maximum lot coverage should be lower than that typical of commercial areas (i.e., it Site Design for BC Communities should be no more than 60%). The neighbourhood store serves a social function in that it is an identifiable landmark within the neighbourhood and a destination for children: “I’ll race you to the store” is a cry that enriches any neighbourhood. 10.2 The Neighbourhood Park The neighbourhood park is full of social opportuni- ties: a place to run the dog, play tennis, or establish a community garden. A small park can provide a meeting place, while larger parks provide active recreation fields for residents and local sports clubs. Tailor each park to the needs of the community it serves. Locate a small park within a 3 minute walk (250 meters) of all homes and a large park within a 7 minute walk (700 meters) of all homes. 11 District District an economy of means 11 Put jobs near people “In a city or a village which we have known well since our childhood we move in a tamed space, our occupations finding everywhere expected landmarks that favor routine.” Czeslaw Milosz, Parabola, Summer 1993. More and more people are commuting longer distances from home to work. In the GVRD, average commuting times have increased by up to 80% on the most congested routes during morning rush hour periods. If more jobs are located throughout a community, it will be easier and more cost effective for residents to travel between work Related Charrette Strategies and home. A fine-grained mix of land uses within each community, and within each neighbourhood, will put many B4; C2; E4; H4; J4; M4; P4 people closer to their place of work. The money saved on commuting can then be used for more productive, less polluting uses. Related Guidelines 1; 2; 8.3; 8.4; 9; 22; 38; 41 EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND TRAVEL 98 99 Employment density and jobs/housing balance have the strongest relationship Part Three – Design Guidelines for District with travel behaviour. A 1990s survey of major US and Canadian cities found that 11.1 Flexible zoning doubling urban housing and employment Zoning limits what kinds of land uses are allowed densities can result in a 25% to 30% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled within a particular area of a community. Often zoning results in the dramatic separation of uses within a com- (VKT) (Holtzclaw, 6-8 and 21). Changes munity by putting single-family houses in one place, in travel behaviour result if the follow- apartments and townhouses in another, and business ing thresholds are met or exceeded. For Site Design for BC Communities and commercial uses in yet another. This segregation reductions in work-related trips, 50-70 of land uses disintegrates the community fabric. More employees and 9-13 persons per gross flexible zoning intermixes residential, commercial, and acre (about 12 dwellings per net acre) is business uses and ensures that jobs and services are needed. For significant reductions in non- located closer to the people who need them. work (i.e., shopping trips) 75 employees and 18 persons per gross acre (about 20 dwellings per net acre) is needed (Frank and Pivo). HOME-BASED WORK Increasing numbers of British Columbians are incorporating 11.2 Live-Work work spaces in their homes. The Combining working and living space can reduce a 1996 census revealed that a total variety of costs. Workers are now applying the artisan live of 155,455 British Columbians, or tradition of living and working in one unit to various 8.2% of the work force, worked at situations — from artists’ studios to home-based offices. home. This eliminates the need for rental space while also live allowing parents with young children to minimize child-care costs. Live-work areas function as a transition live/work between residential areas and higher-density mixed- FURTHER RESEARCH/ POLICY use, commercial, or industrial areas. Live-work areas should have a strong residential character combined work Contreras, Ferrara Architects with a continuous street frontage, direct pedestrian Inc.,“Home Occupation Scenario: access, and parking similar to that found on a “Main An Investigation of the Context for Street.” Live/Work Environments and Their Regulatory Requirements.” City of Surrey Department of Planning and Development et al., Part 4.3 “Live/work, Work/ Live Areas.” in East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan. Gurstein, Wired to the World Chained to the Home. Live/Work and Work/Live: A Vancouver Overview. 12 District District an economy of means 12 Share public facilities “The bridge is not supported by one stone or another,“ answered Marco, “but by the line of the arch that they form.” Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972. Public facilities are often built, maintained, and managed separately, even though many of their uses are comple- mentary. This results in underutilized spaces and facility redundancy, while the management and maintenance of Related Charrette Strategies separate buildings is expensive. Shared facilities decrease costs and foster interaction between different age and C3; D4 interest groups. Use may be segregated either physically or over time, or it may be integrated in order to enhance community interaction. Related Guidelines 7.1; 7.2; 7.3; 10.1; 10.2 100 12.1 Share Space 101 Schools and community recreation centres have overlapping and complementary uses. Schools, Part Three – Design Guidelines for District libraries, and recreation facilities are often short of the funds needed to supply the full range of facilities and resources that each would like to have. Bring schools, parks, community centres, and natural areas together at the green and/or civic heart of the community. Site Design for BC Communities 12 8 4 4 12.2 Share Time Generally, school classrooms, gymnasia, and librar- ies go unused during the evening. Design and locate school facilities so that they are conducive to integrated continuing education classes. Lectures, exercise classes, gardening workshops, woodworking lessons, and community sports events are just a few of the potential nighttime uses shared facilities might host. Remember that these kinds of activities are usually enhanced if they are close to commercial sites, pubs, coffee shops, and convenience stores. do this FURTHER RESEARCH 12.3 Schools Within Walking Distance Putting schools within walking distance of virtually all Public Agenda Online. “Sizing residents means a larger number of smaller schools. Things Up: What Parents, Teachers and Students Think About Large and not this Students in small schools get more attention from Small High Schools.” teachers, score better on tests and suffer less bullying, while their parents are more involved in student life. Cotton, K. School Size, School Also, more schools means that residents will have Climate, and Student Performance.” better access to school buildings and facilities like www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/10/ playgrounds. Ideally, elementary schools should be c020.html planned for no more than 400 students, and high schools should be planned for no more than 600 students. 13 District District an economy of means 13 Employ natural features to increase value “A tree house, a free house, a secret you and me house, a high up in the leafy branches cozy as can be house.” Shel Silver- stein, Where the Sidewalk Ends, 1974. The natural features of a site provide economic, and social benefits in addition to ecological benefits. Communities with an interconnected open space network are more desirable and have a higher housing value than do com- Related Charrette Strategies munities lacking such a network. Individual homes with a view, or homes fronting onto parks, also have a higher A1; C3; D4; E1; E3; I1; K1; L3; M1; property value than do other homes. N1; N3 Related Guidelines 3.1; 5; 8.1; 10.2; 20; 27; 31; 33 PROXIMITY TO OPEN SPACE Homes can appreciate by between 10% and 25% as a result of being within 500 100 metres of natural green space. 101 13.1 Open Space Network Parks and community greenspaces contribute to the The increases in property tax revenue as a Part Three – Design Guidelines for District property values and economic stability of the whole result of property appreciation can benefit community. Interconnected pedestrian systems communities by offsetting the purchase, throughout the community mean that more homes development and maintenance costs asso- have direct access to natural and recreational amenities. ciated with the newly acquired community Proximity to greenspace also helps homes benefit from green space (Netusil et al., 1999). higher resale value. Site Design for BC Communities 13.2 Front Onto Open Space Higher-density housing forms, such as townhouses and low-rise apartments or condominiums, are ideally suited to fronting onto a park or open space. Proximity to the park and the view of open space has the effect of making a home seem larger than it is. Where one can gain access to units from a lane, a front street is not required (assuming the block is short enough to provide easy access from adjacent streets along a public sidewalk). Market value for units fronting onto parks is generally higher as a result. Homes overlooking parks also increase the security of park users. FURTHER RESEARCH Condon and Gonyea, “The Effects of Community Green Space on Property Value and Community Completeness.” Curran, and Draeseke,“Economic Benefits of Natural Greenspace Protection: The Effect on Real Estate Value.” Hamilton and Quayle, “Corridors of Green and Gold: Impact of Riparian 13.3 Orient Toward Views Suburban Greenways on Property People everywhere appreciate a distant prospect; even Values.” partial views can bring increased value to homes. Most Netusil and Lutzhiser, “The Effect of BC districts have actual or potential views of distant Urban Open Space Type and Proximity mountains. Particularly on hillside sites, houses ori- on a Home’s Sale Price: Portland, ented towards a view will have a higher sale value than Oregon.” those lacking such views. 102 Site Design for BC Communities 14 District 1; 2;3;13;16;27;33;43 Related Guidelines C1; D1;E3;J1;K2;O1;P3 Related CharretteStrategies make ithome Kaplan and Kaplan, Hough, Towards aNewUrbanVernacular. Busch, Cities andNaturalProcess: of Nature:APsychological The GeographyofHome. FURTHER READING The Experience Perspective. community homebyshapingittothephysicalandculturallandscape. residents. Onceresidentsidentifywithaplaceandclaimitas“theirs,”theybegintolovecareforit.Make Communities shapedinresponsetothelandscapecreateastrongconnectionbetweenthemselvesandtheir and catwalks.”ItaloCalvino,InvisibleCities,1972. “There isaprecipicebetweentwosteepmountains:thecityovervoid,boundtocrestswithropesandchains 14 Derivecommunityidentityfromthelandscape around newones. isting corridorintersections andestablishdevelopment community identity, reinforcedevelopmentaround ex intersection ofthecorridors.Inorder tostrengthen ing thatcommunitieshaveoftenbeen foundedatthe Corridors connectcommunities,thus itisnotsurpris 14.3 Connections munity doesnotloseitsoldone. ensures that,whiledevelopinganewidentity,com Weaving suchelementsintodevelopmentprojects ment, orthepreservationofauniquenaturalfeature. through anexistingpatternofdevelopment,amonu who havelivedinaplace.Thishistoryisoftenrevealed The culturallandscapemarksthehistoryofpeople 14.2 Culture The physicallandscapecancontributestronglytocom 14.1 Land community canestablishitsowncharacter. emphasizing andcapitalizingonthesefeatures,each landform, waterbodies,vegetation,wind,andlight.By munity identity.Eachsitehasuniquefeatures,suchas - - - - - 103 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor for Guidelines Design – Three Part 102 Site Design for BC Communities Corridor 15-26 26 25 24 Make itHome 23 An EconomyofMeans 22 Create aCentre 21 20 19 Layer theSystems 18 17 Connect theFlows 16 15 Capitalize ontheSite and regions. Corridors of all types and andat between neighbourhoods, districts, materials, energy and resources within Corridors are the conduits for moving nectivity. unduly compromisingstreet intercon to naturalstreamcorridorswithout street networkcanandshould yield the urban fabric, an interconnected and natural areas, and so on. Laid over to commercial services, transit stops to be walkable and connect residents ate. Local corridors should be designed trate growth where it is most appropri be designed to coordinate and concen tions. Regional transit corridors shouldreflect their unique and specific func levards, pathways or streams — need to all scales — be they streets, lanes, bou Create asenseofenclosure Create safeandcomfortablestreets Provide parkingwisely Make streetscheaper Create activityonaMainStreet Create anurbanforest Create urbangardens Move stormwateralongthestreet Connect transittothecommunity Design anetworkofinterconnectingstreets Design streetstoenhancenaturalfeatures Fit streetstotheslope - - - - - 103 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor for Guidelines Design – Three Part 104 Site Design for BC Communities 15 4.2; 17.2;17.4;27 Related Guidelines C1; D2;F2;J1;K2;K3;L1 Related CharretteStrategies capitalize onthesite Corridor interconnected streetnetwork. increases pedestrianutility.Capitalizeonthesitebyallowingshapeoflandtodirectplacement order toreducethecuttingupofslope.Hillsidestreetsmustalsobeinterconnectedtriplengthand somewhat steeperstreetsthatfollowthecontoursofland;italsomeansallowingminimumroadwidthsin common. Streetsdesignedtoworkwiththeexistingterrainlessenimpactsonsensitiveslopes.Thismeansbuilding As ourcommunitiesgrowandgentlyslopinglandisconsumed,developmentonslopedsitesbecomesmore into flightsofstairs.”ChristineWhittimore,Parabola,Winter1993. “The citywasonmanylevels;somestreets—oftenmerealleyshadtonegotiateaninclinesosteepthattheycascaded 15 Fitstreetstotheslope but this not this disturbed zone disturbed zone attractive andecologicallysignificantslopestorubble. on slopesgreaterthan10%oftenreducespreviously ample, restrictingroadgradientstoamaximumof6% a blanketmaximumlimitonstreetgradients.Forex with theseneedsonacase-by-casebasisthanitistoset be madeforicyconditions.Itismoresensibletodeal challenged mayberequired,andallowancesshould cial accommodationforpedestriansandthephysically 12% gradientismanageableovershortdistances).Spe and theamountofdisturbancetoslope(evena steeper thanthenorminordertominimizedistance suitable developmentareas.Allowsuchstreetstobe crossing somesteepslopesinordertogainaccess opable land.Capitalizeonsuchsitesbystrategically Steep slopessometimessurroundpocketsofdevel 15.2 SteepStreetsonSlopes native alignment, candecreaseplatformimpact. sidewalk ononly one sideofthestreet,oronanalter ing parkinginthe rear.Inextremecases,providinga reduce widthrequirementsforstreets byaccommodat be usedforHydroandtelephoneaccess. Lanescanalso some utilitiesmaybesought.Forexample, lanescould quently, cheapandpracticalalternative locationsfor dependent uponthelayoutofburied services;conse of construction.Theminimumwidth ofaplatformis and fillrequiredtobuildtheroad and reducethecost resulting platformwilldecreasetheamountofcut narrowing drivinglanesandslopingboulevards.The amount ofsitedisturbance.Thiscanbedonebysimply referred toasthestreetsection)inorderreduce effective widthandimpactofthestreetplatform(often Hillside streetsmustbecutintotheslope.Minimize 15.3 NarrowthePlatform gently atanangletothesecontourssothat,ifpossible, nearly paralleltothecontours;crossstreetsmayrun has beenlaidoverthelandscape.Somestreetsmayrun Envision theinterconnectedstreetnetworkasanetthat 15.1 WorkwiththeContours interconnectivity andaccessibility. land inawaythatminimizesgradingandmaximizes site byfittingtheinterconnectedstreetsystemto street gradientsarekeptto7%orless.Capitalizeonthe ------16 Corridor capitalize on the site 16 Design streets to enhance natural features “A new road, on stilts, swung up and out on the edge of town; from up there you could take in almost the whole city at a single view.” Christine Whittimore, Parabola, Winter 1993. Every site has unique natural features that contribute to the overall function, experience, and identity of the com- munity. Streets can give access to, and enhance, these features with only minor disturbances to the network and with no loss of connectivity. Narrow, inexpensive, one-lane wooden bridges can be built over streams; this will Related Charrette Strategies calm traffic, create a significant gateway feature, and virtually eliminate impacts on the stream below. Capitalize on E3; F2; F4; G2; K3; L1 the site by using streets to enhance natural features. Related Guidelines 3.1; 13; 17; 27, 29 not this 16.1 Use a Bridge, Not a Culvert Culverts have a greater impact on watercourses than do long-span narrow bridges, and they are more dif- BRIDGES ficult for wildlife to traverse. For these reasons, it is wise to capitalize on the site by crossing streams and rivers Bridges are the preferred option but this 105 with a long-span bridge. Make sure that the bridge is for stream crossings as they allow as narrow as possible. Until relatively recently, many the maximim amount of riparian bridges in British Columbia — even those located on vegetatation to be protected, maintain Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor main roads — were one-lane, “take-your-turn” bridges. the natural stream bed, and maintain the Local roads and residential collector roads are candi- natual hydological condition that existed dates for the modern use of this type of bridge. Position before development. Bridge construction the bridge so that it will cross the stream at the point should always maintain the natural that causes the least impact. stream width and provide suitable footing to prevent erosion (Chilibeck et al. 1992; Lanarc, 1994). ROAD CONSTRUCTION Road construction should be informed by the location of environmentally sensitive areas and stream courses. Where stream crossings are necessary, cross streams at a 90 degree angle to minimize disturbance. 16.2 Go around Some natural features are so unique and/or ecologi- cally sensitive that they must be preserved. A street network flexible enough to accommodate an occa- sional shift in order to move around such features may well heighten their visual impact, thus adding value to the community. Capitalize on the site by building streets around its most important natural features while maintaining overall street connectivity. FURTHER RESEARCH Chilibeck et. al., Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat. 16.3 Frame Views Lanarc Consultants, Ltd., Stream Views can link residents to the larger community and Stewardship: A Guide for Planners contribute to a strong sense of place. Capitalize on the and Developers. site by terminating streets on views and landmarks. Arendt, Conservation Design for Ensure that insensitive street siting or building massing Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to (or orientation) does not unduly compromise views. Creating Open Space Networks. Frame the views for heightened impact by setting build- ings close to the street. 17 Corridor Corridor connect the flows 17 Design a network of interconnecting streets “The Emperor’s Palace was in the centre of the city, where the two great streets meet.” Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels, 1726. Streets are the veins of a community. They accommodate the flow of people and services. An interconnected Related Charrette Strategies network of streets makes common destinations accessible and the neighbourhood legible. A fine-grained street A2; B2; C1; D2; F2; F4; G2; K2; N2 network reduces street congestion and ensures that trips are direct rather than circuitous. This means that people can walk easily to neighbourhood destinations rather than drive. For green streets, an interconnected network facilitates the capture and flow of rainwater. Related Guidelines 17.1 The Rectilinear Grid 4; 6; 15; 19; 27; 29 17.2 The Radial Web The rectilinear grid, common to most North American In this hierarchical pattern, strong axes radiate out from cities built between 1850 and 1940, disperses traffic a prominent centre. Intersections are often marked by efficiently throughout a legible network of streets and important civic spaces or buildings. The radial web is lanes and reduces arterial road loads. Occasional inter- a less legible pattern than the rectilinear grid but can ruptions by public park space create neighbourhood provide more dramatic prospects. Use of this pattern centres. The grid is ideal for flat or gentle slopes (up to results in generally uniform, but occasionally prob- 8%). Break the grid at important natural systems with- lematic, block and parcel configurations. WALKABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS out forfeiting connectivity. Use of this pattern results in universally uniform block and parcel configurations. Residents in communities with intercon- 106 nected street patterns, high employment 107 and housing densities and pedestrian-ori- ented features (i.e., continuous sidewalks, Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor street trees, etc. ) tend to make three times more as many transit trips and nearly four times as many walking and bicycling trips as do residents of more non-inte- grated, lower density suburban areas with auto-oriented land use patterns (Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc., 1993). SIte Design for BC Communities FURTHER RESEARCH Centre for Housing Research, Green Neighbourhoods. 17.3 The Open-space Pattern 17.4 The Incremental Grid Rather than lanes or fences, this pattern puts “green In the incremental grid, streets occasionally depart from Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co., The fingers” behind most homes. These green fingers rectilinear orientations to accommodate terrain changes Lexicon of the New Urbanism. can include stormwater management, habitat, and or to respond to historical accidents of community recreation. The open-space pattern generally requires develop-ment (i.e., working around an undeveloped Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and cul-de-sacs and may compromise interconnectivity. parcel). Major streets provide the primary ordering Douglas, Inc., et al., “Making the Foot and bike traffic can use green fingers. This highly element. Local traffic is dispersed through a fairly Land Use Transportation Air Qual- organic network must necessarily respond to topogra- chaotic, but still interconnected, internal network, while ity Connection – the Pedestrian phy. Use of this pattern results in fairly uniform block terminated vistas and varied streets provide interest. Environment.” and parcel configurations. Use of this pattern results in a variety of block and lot configurations. 18 Corridor Corridor connect the flows 18 Connect transit to the community “It is a shabby experience; nothing that would encourage people to use public transportation.” Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language, 1977. A viable transit system and a vibrant urban environment go hand in hand. Concentrated commercial and residen- tial areas are a prerequisite for an efficient transit system. North Americans will leave the car at home if they live within a 5 minute walk of frequent transit. Research suggests that an overall density of 10 dwelling units per acre Related Charrette Strategies is a minimum threshold for an efficient transit system. Incorporate transit in a way that welcomes pedestrians and A2; B2; E4; G3 cyclists, brings life to streets, and offers alternatives to the car. Related Guidelines 6; 8.2; 8.3; 9; 22 18.1 Transit “High Street” One way to create a vibrant community heart is to create a transit “High Street,” or “Main Street” — a street from which cars are either excluded or relegated to minority status. Such a street can be successful if frequent transit service is combined with high-density, mixed-use development. It allows for a narrower right-of-way, gives transit priority, and reduces the barriers to transit loading and unloading within the central median. Density is the key to success here. Successful examples of a High Street can be found at the centre of large areas of 107 106 relatively high-density living (50 units per hectare and higher) and within mixed 8m 4m use and highly connected (and safe) street and path systems. 24m Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor 18.2 Urban Corridor Light rail and automobile traffic can successfully share a single right-of-way. A right-of-way as narrow as 32 metres can accommodate a surface light-rail system and 4 lanes of traffic. An 8 to 10 metre central envelope serves the rail line, while two travel lanes on either side allow through-traffic. The curb lane doubles as a parking lane during non-peak times, and a minimum 4 metre wide sidewalk lined with street trees provides a safe and comfortable space for pedestrians. 5m 3m 3.2m 4m SIte Design for BC Communities 30.4m 18.3 Sidewalk Off-load When the surface light-rail line is on either side of the street, passenger move- ment occurs in much the same way as it does at a bus stop. This allows cars to use the central street surface. The train travels at curb’s edge, becoming a pedestrian-scaled urban design feature. This eliminates parking but allows easy transition from sidewalk to trolley to sidewalk. 5m 4m 3m 3.2m 30.4m 18.4 Below-grade Systems Below-grade systems allow efficient transit movement without impeding surface traffic flow, but they do little to animate the street environment. They are more cost-effective in areas where transit infrastructure is developed in tandem with urban development. Although excavation costs can be prohibi- tive in existing urbanized areas, grade-separated systems generally have a quick travel speed. However, this time advantage is often offset by the increased time it takes to move between the street and the system below. 5m 3m 3.2m 20.4 m 18.5 Above-grade Systems Above-grade systems also place a premium on travel speed, but they are more difficult to integrate into the fabric of the street than other systems. For this reason, they are an effective regional system when combined with more street- friendly modes (i.e., surface rail, buses, trolleys) and used for intra-urban routes. Although grade-separated systems have a quick travel speed, this advantage may be offset by the increased time it takes to move between the street and the system above. 5m 3m 3.2m 1.5 m 23.7m 19 Corridor Corridor layer the systems 19 Move stormwater along the street “As you penetrate the flowing and no-flowing of water, the ultimate character of all things is instantly realized.” Dogen Zenji, Shobogenzo, Sasuikyo. Street corridors collect and transport stormwater. Ideally, most stormwater should be infiltrated into subsoils; how- ever, stormwater from very large storms must be transported and stored. Layer movement on the street by using a Related Charrette Strategies system of corridors to capture, transport, and infiltrate stormwater. Generally, maintain street rights-of-way at no D2; F1; F4; G4; H2; K1 less than 40% pervious surface in order to accept runoff from paved areas and, thus, mitigate regional impacts to the urban watershed. Related Guidelines 4; 5; 15; 17; 20; 23.2; 23.3; 30.4 POLLUTANT REMOVAL 19.1 The Roadside Swale A variation on the rural ditch, the swale is a shallow, Roadside swales, verges and trenches are grassy channel that can be located in the roadside ideal for capturing and treating “first boulevard. Runoff from the street drains to both sides 108 flush” runoff, which typically contains the and is collected in the swale. Stormwater gradually 109 highest concentration of pollutants. infiltrates to the level of the water table after filtering through the grass and soil. Infiltration chambers just Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor Vegetation planted within a swale below a grassy boulevard can enhance infiltration at increases its ability to filter and clean roadside zones. Excess water travels in the swales, or via polluted stormwater. Slopes should infiltration chambers, along the network of streets to a be between 0.5% and 5% in order to holding pond where additional infiltration, evaporation, maximize the contact of vegetation with and transpiration occur. runoff and to prevent scouring. INFILTRATION CHAMBERS SIte Design for BC Communities The use of subsurface infiltration chambers allows stormwater to be treated at its source before being released, at controlled rates to recharge groundwater. It also enables the reuse of treated water. Such systems are suitable for both new and retrofit sites (Condon and Gonyea, 2001). 19.2 The Crushed Stone Verge Finish the shoulders of a street with crushed stone rather than with a curb and gutter. Runoff can infiltrate through the crushed stone into the soil. The crushed stone verge can be an effective stormwater manage- ment practice if it is properly maintained: used in conjunction with a subsurface infiltration chamber and filter cloth, it can dramatically increase infiltration capacity. The system can be installed with or without a flush (or rolled and slotted) curb. FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY 19.3 The Curb and Gutter System A standard curb and gutter system can be designed for Condon and Gonyea, “Case Study: infiltration. Runoff from the street can drain to both Condord Roads Trial Project.” sides, where it is directed along the curb and into catch basins. However, unlike a standard stormwater system, Metro Regional Services. Green Streets: Environmental Designs for the catch basins direct the stormwater to subterranean Transportation. infiltration chambers located in a gravel trench under the boulevard. There it can infiltrate through the gravel Centre for Watershed Protection, into the soil. This system has the advantage of being Design of Stormwater Filtering most like conventional practice, but has the disad- Systems. vantage of being the most costly of the three to install and maintain. 20 Corridor Corridor layer the systems 20 Create urban gardens. “Tending a garden nourishes the human desire to give form to mystery.” Anita Lange, Parabola, Spring 2001. Even a high-density residential area can be filled with gardens. Parts of the street corridor that are not used for driving or walking can be used to plant linear “gardens”. Individually, these gardens enhance the experience of the community and can demonstrably increase property value. they also provide an environmentally healthy alternative to conventional turf lawns. Together, small gardens throughout the city can enhance urban habitat and Related Charrette Strategies contribute to stormwater management. Layering the street with urban gardens that are cared for by community E1; F4; G2; G4; H1; K1 volunteers is both cost-effective and sustainable. Related Guidelines 5; 20; 25; 30.4 APPROPRIATE PLANTING “In order to create and maintain the ideal 108 lawn at its desired color, texture, and 109 height we have brought the full weight 20.1 The Traffic Circle and Bulge of modern sicence to the task. Chemicals Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor Traffic-calming measures, such as traffic bulges and encourage or inhibit growth, water is traffic circles, can do more than slow cars. Filled with redistributed and polluted, terrain is trees and other plants rather than paved with concrete, denuded, and machines mow incessantly” these small areas can contribute greatly to the ecology (Girling, Helphand, 1994, 217). and the appeal of the urban landscape. • Low maintenance shrubs, perennial grasses and trees planted within public areas can replace conventional turfed areas. In doing so, these areas SIte Design for BC Communities can fulfill water quality and stormwater management functions by absorbing moisture and sequestering pollutants in their rootmass. 20.2 The Boulevards • Choosing native, low maintenance Trees are a crucial element of urban street boulevards. vegetation also lessens the amount of Every street should contain street trees with a mature pesticides and chemicals entering the height of over 20 metres, planted no more than 10 soil. metres apart. A mature urban forest is a major compo- nent of an urban stormwater management and habitat • Deep mulch perennial plants in enhancement strategy. In many parts of our province, infiltration swales are best for residents have taken over the urban boulevards in infiltration and bioremediation of front of their homes and planted them with gardens. stormwater pollutants. Putting low-maintenance perennials under the trees lining central and side boulevards is a good idea as • To better direct the flow of water from they can require less care than grass, are more attrac- the roadway, design plated areas to be tive, and provide additional urban wildlife habitat. slightly lower than the surface of the road. FURTHER RESEARCH Ferguson, Introduction to Stormwater. 20.3 The Island or Median MacDonald, “Ecologically Sound Islands and medians that direct the flow of traffic Lawn Care for the Pacific Northwest.” need not be paved. A simple, low-growing garden will provide a moment of relief from the stresses of Girling and Helphand, Yard, Street, driving while reducing the heat island and storm water Park. impacts. 21 Corridor Corridor layer the systems 21 Create an urban forest “You should know that the foliage and trees are a manifestation of the mountain.” Milarepa, The Hundred Thousand Songs. Streets and other corridors are ideal locations for creating a lush urban forest. Street trees provide shade in hot weather and shelter from the rain; they provide bird habitat; with fall colours and spring buds, they also provide visual cues to the passing of seasons. Layer habitat and wonder onto the street by planting street trees that will grow Related Charrette Strategies into an urban forest covering at least 60% of the land with shady tree canopy. C3; D2; E1; F4; H1 Related Guidelines 4; 13.1; 20; 21; 23 COOLING 21.1 At Planting Start by planting major street trees that will have a Extensive tree removal in urban settings mature height of at least 15 metres and that are spaced 110 results in the “urban heat island” effect, 111 no more than 10 metres apart along each street and wherein trapped air and pollutants can in parking areas. For parking lots, provide 1 tree per increase tempurature by as much as 10 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor 5 parking stalls. Set trees into permeable areas and, degrees Fahrenheit (Moll, 1989). in parking areas, protect them with bollards or tree MITIGATING POLLUTION guards. Choose tree species that are suited to urban locations, and remember that planting different types Streets lined with trees can measurably of trees on different streets can provide individual cor- reduce the level of particulates in air as ridors with a sense of identity and varied habitat. well as sequester carbon and polluting chemicals. SIte Design for BC Communities STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Trees facilitate absorption, evapotranspiration, and dissipation of rainfall, while roots trap and filter pollutants. Local rainfall characteristics, soil condition, and native forest species should inform tree selection (Luymes, 2000). COST SAVINGS Each urban tree with a 50 year life-span provides almost $275/year (in 1985) reduction in air conditioning, erosion 21.2 At 15 Years control, stormwater control, air pollution As the trees grow, the canopy begins to fill in and pro- and wildlife shelter (Moll, 1989). vide more shade on the street, sidewalk or parking lot. FURTHER RESEARCH Environmental Protection Agency, Cooling Our Communities: A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light Colored Surfacing. Luymes, “The Hydrological Effects of Urban Forests with Specific Reference to the Pacific Northwest.” 21.3 At 30 Years Moll and Abenrick, eds., Shading By maturity, an urban forest can provide a canopy large our Cities. enough to cover 60% of the roadway and 50% of a parking area. 22 Corridor Corridor create a centre 22 Centre activity on a Main Street “The street rituals and encounters that seem so casual — the prolonged goodbyes, the 100 percent conversations — these are not at all trivial. They are manifestations of one of the most powerful impulses: the impulse to the center.” William H. Whyte, City: Rediscovering the Center, 1988. The centre of a district can develop in different forms. A public square, civic building, or community park each has the potential to foster community identity and interaction. A linear “centre” can also form when high-den- Related Charrette Strategies sity development and commercial uses locate along a prominent street. The more people a Main Street attracts, A3; B3; B4; C2; H4 the more active and lively it becomes. A Main Street will give access to, and complement, activities at the district centre. Related Guidelines 8.2; 8.3; 8.4; 9; 11; 18; 24; 26 22.1 Key Location The Main Street is located at the centre of the com- munity, and is associated with landmarks. The primary role of the Main Street is to function as a social and service centre for the neighbourhood. It also provides an important service to those passing through. The street has no more than 2 travel lanes in each direction, and is lined on either side with parallel or angled park- 110 ing. On-street parking provides direct access to shops 111 and buffers the sidewalk from the street. Excessively high parking standards can make it nearly impossible to Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor achieve critical mass in new centres; therefore, use mini- mum parking standards and provide access to frequent transit. There are many successful commercial districts where parking availabiltiy is only 25% of what is usually required in zoning bylaws. 22.2 Storefronts SIte Design for BC Communities Ideally, the buildings on the Main Street are mixed- use, with storefronts on the ground floor and office and/or residential units above. Depending on the urban context, buildings are no less than 2 storeys and no more than 7 storeys. Lot coverage of up to 90% and a shallow building setback ensures near continu- ous street frontage. Only interrupt the street frontage where there is a public square, landmark, or view. Each shop has a front door on the street. Internal shopping areas (such as malls) are discouraged. A separate entry gives people access to residential units located above shops. Wherever appropriate, cafes and restaurants spill out onto the street. Buildings on corner lots include architectural details that address both streets. When economic realities preclude multi-story development, single-story commercial development may provide a valuable “holding” function for the site until economic circumstances change. FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Swirsky et al., Main Street...When a highway runs through it: A 22.3 Shopping Sidewalk Handbook for Oregon Communities. The sidewalk is no less than 3 metres wide, and up to 6 metres wide in areas of high pedestrian activity. City of Portland, Portland Sidewalks are lined with lights, bicycle parking facilities, Pedestrian Design Guide. planters, and street trees (spaced as closely together as appropriate). Sidewalks serve shoppers, walkers, and City of Vancouver, Transportation watchers, and incorporate street furniture. Each shop Plan. has an awning and a sign that is designed and oriented City of Vancouver, Downtown to pedestrians. Some buildings have a well lit 1.5 metre Transportation Plan. arcade to offer additional protection. 4 to 6m 23 Corridor Corridor an economy of means 23 Make streets cheaper “You reach Diomira, a city with sixty silver domes, bronze statues of all the gods, streets paved with lead, a crystal theater, a golden cock that crows each morning on a tower.” Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972. Quality, connectivity, and comfort do not have to be sacrificed in order to reduce the costs of building streets. Make cheaper streets simply by narrowing street widths, eliminating costly and often environmentally damaging Related Charrette Strategies curb and gutters and paving only where necessary. Cheaper streets mean less cost to every resident and lower F1; F2; F4; G2; G4; I2; future taxes. Related Guidelines not this 15; 19; 23; 25 4m 11 to 13m 23.1 Narrow Streets 20 to 23m Narrow streets cost less to build and maintain than ROW REDUCED WIDTHS wide streets. Minimized paved surface area also results but this in lower material and labour costs. Reduced street Many communities are now widths mean less stormwater runoff and a decrease in 113 112 discovering that narrowing street the environmental and economic costs of stormwater widths need not affect functional management. Narrow streets also make more land performance. available for housing, parks, and natural areas. Local Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor streets should be queuing streets, with parking on both Both Eugene, and Portland, sides and one travel lane. Studies show that this type Oregon, have adopted “skinny 4.5m 8m of street is 4 times safer for children than wide streets. street” ordinances in which 17m ROW Another benefit of narrow streets is that they are easier local street standards have been to shade with street trees. narrowed to as little as 6 to 8 metres, depending upon parking requirements (Metro, 2000). SIte Design for BC Communities 23.2 Cheaper Material Some materials are less expensive and more environ- mentally friendly than others. In order to decrease ma- terial costs, edge narrow streets with a crushed stone parking verge or grassy boulevard rather than with a curb and gutter. Grass swales and gravel verges allow rainwater infiltration and decrease the environmental and economic costs of stormwater management. FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY City of Surrey Department of � Engineering, Surrey Local Road � Standards Review. Condon and Teed, Alternative Development Standards for Sustainable Communities Workbook. Metro Regional Services, Creating 23.3 Unpaved Lanes Livable Streets: Street Design Lanes need not be paved with impervious material. Guidelines for 2040. 4m Use 20 centimetre deep crushed stone pavement for Swift, Residential Street Typology and increased stormwater infiltration. This type of con- Injury Accident Frequency. struction has been used successfully for over 80 years on Vancouver lands. 24 Corridor Corridor make it home 24 Provide parking wisely “If the house is a machine for living, then the garage might reasonably be called a living room for a machine.” Akiko Busch, Geography of Home, 1999. Cars make streets both accessible and active. However, few things eliminate street-life more quickly than a street- front parking lot. Every Main Street should include on-street parking. Overflow parking should be located in underground lots or on surface lots situated at the rear of buildings. Centre activity on the Main Street by locating Related Charrette Strategies parking wisely. B1; E2; H3; N1; P2 Related Guidelines 1; 25; 34; 36.1 PARKING 24.1 Street Parking Parking for cars consumes a lot of land. 113 112 A good Main Street will provide plenty of parking Parking facilities require approximately without threatening the quality of the street experi- 28 square metres per car, and can cost ence. On-street parallel or angled parking in both up to $21,000 per stall to construct. Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor directions gives direct access to storefronts and creates The money saved from reduced parking a buffer between pedestrians and the busy travel lanes. requirements can be used to improve On-street parking also calms traffic. Recent research has public transit and pedestrian/bike verified these assertions, and recent projects utilizing facilities. One of the components of these features have proven both safe and marketable. the Downtown Transportation Plan for Vancouver is to develop residential and commercial parking requirements in ways that are consistent with the objectives of promoting walking, cycling, transit, and SIte Design for BC Communities ride-sharing as alternatives to the single- occupant vehicle. 24.2 Lot Parking Parking lots should be located underground wherever Parking economic circumstances and ecological constraints allow. Garage entries should be accessed by a rear lane Parking or side street and should be structurally integrated into the building without becoming intrusive. 24.3 Parking at the Rear When necessary, surface parking lots should be located behind buildings and accessed via a lane. Shops may have an additional rear entrance for customer or resident access. Surface parking lots should include FURTHER RESEARCH large trees to reduce glare, absorb pollution, and help Childs, Parking Spaces: A Design, heal the spatial holes that these lots create in the urban Implementation, and Use Manual for fabric. Shade trees should be planted at a density of Architects, Planners, and Engineers. approximately 1 tree per 5 stalls and have a minimum mature height of at least 15 metres to ensure that, City of Vancouver, Downtown eventually, a minimum of 50% of the parking surface Transportation Plan. will be covered by tree canopy. Use permeable pave- ment or other strategies to reduce stormwater runoff. Cole et al., City of Santa Monica Where a mix of uses staggers parking needs, use shared Green Building Design and parking areas to reduce the amount of land dedicated Construction Guidelines. to surface parking. 25 Corridor Corridor make it home 25 Create safe and comfortable streets “The street was too empty; its emptiness had gotten bored and pulled my steps out from under my feet and clattered around in them, all over the street, as if they were wooden clogs.” Rainer Maria Rilke, “Faces” in The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, 1982. Streets are for public use and should be shared by all forms of transportation, including pedestrians, bicycles, Related Charrette Strategies wheelchairs, transit, and cars. On local streets, people walk and talk and sometimes play; on busier streets, people E2; E3; F2; F3; H3; I1; I3; J2; L2; prefer to be separated from moving traffic. More people will use streets that are safe and comfortable, and more N2; O1 people means a more social, “neighbourghly” street life. Related Guidelines 16.3; 17; 22.3; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 39 TRAFFIC CALMING Traffic calming produces safer streets. 114 Curb extensions, bulges and street 115 narrowing reduced crashes in Vancouver by almost 75% (ICBC, 1996). Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor 25.1 Buffer As streets get wider, pedestrian accidents Busy streets are more comfortable for pedestrians if increase. The safest residential streets are there is something to separate them from moving those no wider than 8 metres (ITE, 1997). vehicles. Buffering can be as simple as creating wide sidewalks edged by boulevard infiltration parking strips, Parking on both sides of a local street or as grand as building an arcade over the sidewalk. provides “side friction” for passing Street furniture, trees, bike racks, mailboxes, and news- motorists, effectively keeping travel paper boxes also provide a buffer between pedestrians speeds low (approximately 25 to 30 kph). and cars. SIte Design for BC Communities Narrow streets become “queuing streets” where cars pull into spaces between parked cars to give the right-of-way to approaching vehicles (Burden, 1999). 25.2 Narrow A narrow street is more comfortable for walking than a wide street. Narrow the street by decreasing the width 8m and/or number of driving lanes (as in queing “take- your-turn” streets), and by reducing the front-yard setback of buildings. Street trees easily shade narrow FURTHER RESEARCH streets and provide a protective ceiling over people walking, playing, or talking below. Karen Swirsky et al. 1999. Main Street...When a Highway Runs Through it: A Handbook for Oregon Communities. Burden, Streets and Sidewalks, People and Cars: The Citizens’ Guide to Traffic Calming. Institute of Transportation Engineers, Traditional Neighbourhood Development: Street Design Guidelines. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Safety Benefits of Traffic Calming. Swift, Residential Street Typology and Injury Accident Frequency. 26 Corridor Corridor make it home 26 Create a sense of enclosure “We raise to heaven that which is valuable to us: emblems of faith, enlightenment or government. But this vision must also be supported by small-scale buildings which reflect our intimate lives.” HRH the Prince of Wales, Parabola, Winter 1993. Vertical elements like trees and buildings create ceilings and walls for the space of the street. This helps to create a more pedestrian scale on the street and encourages drivers to slow down. A height-to-width-ratio of between 1: 2 and 1:3 provides an appealing sense of enclosure. Measure the width between building fronts or trees, and the Related Charrette Strategies height from the sidewalk to the building cornice. Trees are very effective at enclosing streets when it is not viable to E2; E3; F3; G2; H3; M2; O2 construct multiple-storey mixed-use commercial buildings. Related Guidelines 16.3; 22; 24; 25; 39 1:2 ratio 114 115 1:3 ratio Part Three – Design Guidelines for Corridor 26.1 The Main Street Ideally, a Main Street with a 25 to 35 metre wide right- of-way would have a continuous 2 to 3 storeys (around 10.5 metres) facade located at the sidewalk edge to create a “street wall.” Buildings may include a range of heights within the 1:2 to 1:3 ratio spread. Street trees help enclose the space by providing a leafy “ceiling” over sidewalks and street. SIte Design for BC Communities 26.2 The Residential Street Street trees and houses can provide a pleasureable sense of enclosure for -residential streets. Use street trees that, at maturity, will form a canopy over at least 60% of the street. This will create a leafy ceiling that will provide partial shelter from rain as well as shade for those strolling below. Set houses close to the street, where they will provide a “friendly face on the street”, making a safer street where it is possible to get to know your nieghbours. Corridor 116 117 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block SIte Design for BC Communities Corridor Block 27 - 32 Capitalize on the Site 27 Allow natural features to shape the block Connect the Flows 28 Make continuous sidewalks 29 Design blocks to encourage the flow of people Layer the Systems 30 Manage stormwater block by block 31 Layer public space onto each block An Economy of Means 32 Make flexible blocks 116 117 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block SIte Design for BC Communities Blocks are the chunks of develop- able land that are available after a street pattern is imposed. Smaller blocks result from a more integrat- ed (or net-like) street system, while large, super blocks are the result of a non-integrated, dendritic (or tree-like) street system dominated by dead-end streets. The smaller the block, the finer the grain of development and the more per- meable the neighbourhood is for movement. 118 SIte Design for BC Communities 27 Block capitalize onthesite 1; 3;13;15;29.1;30 Related Guidelines B1; C1;C3;F2;I2;J1;K1;L1 Related CharretteStrategies AREAS ANDDEVELOPMENTPERMIT Development Permits,whichcancontain through thedesignationofDevelopment and/or enhancementofenvironmentally Portland MetroGreenStreetsstandards sensitive orhazardousareas).SeeLocal recommends thatanidealblocksizefor both residentialand“towncentre”uses (e.g., watercourseprotection,protection identified asEnvironmentallySensitive Department of Fisheries and Oceans and MinistryofEnvironment,Lands Permit Areas(DPAs).Developmentin be between60metresto120in range ofpossibletermsallowedunder and Parks, Guide forLocalGovernment. roads, blockconfiguration,densities, and otherelementsofadevelopment Streets: EnvironmnetalDesignsfor ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Areas (ESAs)withinacommunity’s these areasisonlyallowedthrough Areas ofhighnaturalvaluecanbe certain restrictionsondevelopment Acommunity’sinventoryofESAs Government Act,s.879(1)forthe Metro RegionalServices, Guidelines fortheProtectionof can theninformtheplacementof Chilibeck, StewardshipBy-Laws:A Official CommunityPlan. Development Permits. Land Development Aquatic Habitat. Transportation. BLOCK SIZES p. VII-1. p. 62. Green AREAS length. block withouterodinginterconnectivity. from one another and make unique neighbourhoods. Capitalize on the site by allowing natural features to shape the to understandandgetaroundin;theyarealsowelcoming.Blocksmodifi recommended maximumstandardblocklengthforinterconnectivityis180metres.In (1) mergeblockswiththelandscape;and(2)maintainahighdegreeofinterconnectivitypermeability.The The shapeofblocksisnotrandom.Inasustainablecommunity,theblockdesignshouldsatisfytwoimperatives: ies, 1972. “Cities, likedreams,aremadeofdesiresandfears,evenifthethreadtheirdiscourseissecret.”ItaloCalvino,InvisibleCit 27 Allownaturalfeaturestoshapetheblock An individualblockmaywrapitselfaroundanatural 27.1 WrappedBlock may alsoactasan automobile-freecorridor. responsive tokey natural features.Thefeature ing patternofmodified blocksisatonceefficientand of streetsfavours corridor connectivity.Theresult grid favoursthenaturalfeature;inothers, thestructure form ofmanyblocks.Insomecases amodifiedstreet A veryextensivenaturalfeaturemight influencethe 27.3 ModifiedBlockPattern lane. transition betweenyardsandnaturalareas,suchasa fronting housesontoitorbyprovidingapublicspace fences aroundthefeature.Thismaybedoneeitherby from it in many ways. Avoid having a “wall” of backyard Houses wraparoundthefeatureandresidentsbenefit feature asapartoflargerpublicopenspacesystem. easy pedestrianaccesstothesite.Preservenatural ecological integrityofthenaturalfeatureandtoprovide tain streetsmay“dead-end”inordertomaintainthe A naturalfeaturemaypierceonesideofablock.Cer 27.2 PiercedBlock covenants onuse). a stratatitleforexample)orindividually(withrestrictive natural featuremayholditeitherincommon(through feature. Theresidentswhosepropertiescontainthe ed bythelandscapearedistinguishable terconnected blocksareeasy - - - 28 Block connect the flows 28 Make continuous sidewalks. “Blanket Lizard didn’t like the hard ground, because it hurt his feet.” from Australian Aboriginal Childrens’ Story. People like to feel safe and comfortable when they walk in the community. This means that streets must have side- walks on both sides — sidewalks that connect to each other as well as to a specific destination. Minor interruptions to pedestrian flow can appreciably reduce pedestrian activity, so connect the flows by making sidewalks continuous Related Charrette Strategies sidewalks. E2; F2; G3; H3; I2; I3; L2 Related Guidelines 22.3; 24; 25; 29 119 28.1 Encourage Connection Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block Sidewalks must connect to each other and/or terminate at important destinations. Locate sidewalks on both sides of the street. Having just one sidewalk means small children and the elderly must cross streets un- safely just to go for a walk. 28.2 Discourage Interruption Wherever possible, locate car storage and service at the rear of buildings and provide lane access. If this is done, then cars will cross the sidewalk at only 2 to 4 places per block rather than at scores of places (i.e., wherever there is a front driveway). For streets with fronting garages, minimize car crossings by sharing one driveway “curb cut” that is accessible to two parcels. Sidewalks frequently interrupted by driveways are unsafe for small children and the elderly. FURTHER RESEARCH Burden “Streets and Sidewalks, People and Cars: The Citizens’ Guide to Traffic Calming.” Institute of Transportation Engineers, Traditional Neighbourhood Development Street Design Guidelines. Swirsky, Karen, et al., Main Street...When a Highway Runs Through It: A Handbook for Oregon Communities. 29 Block Block connect the flows 29 Design blocks to encourage the flow of people “Naturally, when he is in the horse’s ear, Poucet orders it to turn right or left.” Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space, 1964. Conventional suburban blocks are often “superblocks” and have circuitous, confusing, and impermeable road systems. This discourages walking, as virtually all trips take longer than they should. The length of blocks should Related Charrette Strategies respond to a pedestrian time-measure, which means that streets should interconnect. Within highly pervious fine- E2; F2; F3; G2; G3; H2; I2; J2; K3; grained street networks, common destinations are accessible by direct routes. Compact walkable neighbourhoods O3 also conserve land and energy. Connect the flows of people. Allow people to move freely between blocks. 29.1 Short Blocks 29.2 Mid-block Connections Related Guidelines Walking distances should provide the yardstick for de- Where it is impossible to avoid large blocks, provide 5; 13; 15; 17; 23.1; 25; 26 termining block dimension. A length of 180 metres is an mid-block pathways between parcels or through build- appropriate maximum block length (virtually all blocks ings in order to increase access to the neighbourhood in Vancouver are this length or shorter). Shorter blocks and to provide an alternative to walking on the street. mean more intersections, and more intersections mean Lighting and visibility should maximize pedestrian reduced car speeds, and fewer pedestrian fatalities on safety and comfort. In order to ensure safety, crosswalks local roads. and/or signage should indicate crossings at mid-block. Any public path of the mid-block type must be a mini- mum width of 6 metres. 120 121 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block Site Design for BC Communities 29.3 Greenways and Trails 29.4 Retrofit Large Blocks FURTHER RESEARCH Blocks divided by natural features can maintain con- Retrofitting existing suburban road systems for in- nectivity and ecological value. Locate greenways near creased connectivity is extremely challenging. Wherever riparian and other sensitive areas at a minimum of 15 opportunities present themselves, make every effort Swift and Painter. “Residential metres from the top of the bank. This allows enough to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to sur- Street Typology and Injury Accident Frequency”. width to maintain continuous tree cover, which will rounding circulation systems. Increase connectivity for preserve habitat connectivity and prevent sunshine pedestrians and bikes by opening culs-de-sac to foot from overheating stream water, which is lethal to fish. and bicycle traffic. Permit cyclists to use the edge of riparian buffers. 30 Block Block layer the systems 30 Manage stormwater block by block. “My nostalgia is for what I feel disappearing all around me.” Janet Heyneman, Parabola, Summer 1993. Blocks function as living space and define transportation corridors, and they can also play an important role in the ecological function of the neighbourhood. Large community detention ponds are expensive to build and maintain and while they can be very effective at handling peak flow reduction, they have been shown to be of little benefit in reducing the additional volumes generated by development. The best place to mitigate the bulk of stormwater Related Charrette Strategies consequences of urbanization is at the source — in the yards and on the streets of our new communities. Collect, store, and infiltrate as much stormwater as possible on each block, and ensure that all streets, yards, and park A1; D2; D4; E1; F1; I1; J1; K2; N3 spaces play a role in this. Related Guidelines 4; 5; 7.3; 19; 20; 27; 31 30.1 The Parcel 30.2 The Middle Infiltrate roof drainage within every parcel on a block The middle of a block can serve as a semi-private open to cut the need for stormwater systems in half. Rock space “lane” or “greenway” for a group of single-family pits, retention grading, water retaining planting areas residents, a multiple family dwelling, or an apartment. (rain gardens), and rain barrels are viable and practical This area can also act as a swale to collect, store, and options. infiltrate stormwater. Planting the area with shade trees provides bird habitat, and increases soil porosity for increased infiltration. INFILTRATION The most frequent rainfall events in the lower mainland are those that generate 120 between 4 and 24 mm per day. These 121 small events are also those that carry the greatest amount of pollutants. Whether on Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block individual lots, or within public rights- of-way, infiltration strategies should be chosen with the following factors in mind: • depth to bedrock • depth to groundwater • proximity to stream corridor • soil percolation rate • density of tree canopy Site Design for BC Communities • composition of exisiting forest • steepness of topography • level of maintenance (adapted from Metro Regional Services, 2001). FURTHER RESEARCH Centre for Housing Innovation, Green Neighbourhoods: Planning and Design Guidelines for Air, Water and Urban Forest Quality. 30.3 The End 30.4 The Street Another option is to set aside a portion of a block for Street corridors are ideal places for the collection and Furguson, Introduction to Stormwater the collection, storage, and infiltration of stormwater. transportation of stormwater. An interconnected street Management. This “rain garden” area would also provide a pocket of network can function as an interconnected stormwater open space for residents. network if it is used to capture, transport, and infiltrate Metro Regional Services, Green Streets: Environmental Designs for stormwater. A boulevard that includes a roadside infil- Transportation. p.V-1b. tration swale and street trees provides all this as well as shade and habitat. 31 Block Block layer the systems 31 Layer public space onto each block. “Doors that open on the countryside seem to confer freedom behind the world’s back.” Ramon Gomez de la Serna, Echan- tillons. Locate parks or public open spaces within a 3 minute walk of each home. This is especially practical when neigh- bourhoods contain numerous small parks rather than a single large park. Spread more and smaller areas of recre- Related Charrette Strategies ation space evenly throughout the community so there is park space within a short walk of all residents. Layer public B3; C3; D3; H3; J3; K1; L3; N3 spaces into the fabric of blocks so as to complement the larger open spaces that serve the entire district. Organize each space and allocate use according to local needs. Include gardening or small-scale agriculture as a popular and rewarding element of sustainable community design. Related Guidelines 2.3; 10; 13; 17; 29; 30; 42.4 122 123 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block 31.1 The Piece A single lot or block end can provide a crucial commu- nity recreation area within easy resident access. A cor- ner lot is a good choice because it will have two sides Site Design for BC Communities open to the street; a block end is even better because it has three sides exposed to surrounding streets. 31.2 The Middle While ordinarily used as an effective service and car storage zone, the middle of a block can sometimes serve as shared communal activity space. In the detail of the Village Homes (Davis, California) plan at left, the small private backyards of the residential lots open out onto a central pedestrian spine that provide connectivity throughout the block. FURTHER RESEARCH Corbett and Corbett, Designing Sustainable Communities: Learning from Village Homes. Girling and Helphand, Yard, Street, Park. 31 Block Block layer the systems 122 123 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block 31.3 The Whole Perhaps the most attractive and useful public space is the whole block park. Houses can then front onto the park, allowing residents to survey park activities easily and informally. Parks of this kind should provide a “green heart,” – a community centre for all residents. (Discourage situations in which houses back onto a park, Site Design for BC Communities as this generally results in a “wall” of private fences sur- rounding the space.) 31.4 The Pedestrian Street Pedestrian streets function like a public square where people can interact and move around freely. Pedestrian streets can be successful as commercial streets because they attract people who are shopping and strolling. Short segments of pedestrian-only streets, attached to standard streets on either end, are usually the most active as they have the added benefit of being close to other transportation modes and parking. The “Third Street Promenade” in Santa Monica is a highly success- ful example of this. Consider closing down some streets to car traffic during special occasions, but be careful when considering closing main shopping streets to cars as the success rate for this strategy is sharply divided. 32 Block Block an economy of means 32 Make flexible blocks “Contemplating these essential landscapes, Kublai reflected on the invisible order that sustains cities.” Italo Calvino, Invis- ible Cities, 1972. Related Charrette Strategies The people who live in a block pay the cost of building and maintaining it. Adding even one more house to a street A3; C2; I4; J4; M4 significantly decreases the cost to each individual household. A mix of lot sizes and housing types increases block density without creating a monotonous streetscape. Related Guidelines 1.2; 11; 41; 37; 38 124 125 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block 32.1 Flexible Use Blocks of no more than 90-by-180 metres are highly ef- ficient and cost-effective because they may be adapted to a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional use. Smaller blocks also create a pedestrian-friendly Site Design for BC Communities neighbourhood, which encourages cycling and walking and decreases auto dependence. 32.2 One Block, Many Parcel Types Each block can accommodate a variety of parcel sizes to suit various living options. The resulting block would include a variety of tenure types (renters and owners), a variety of ages and incomes, and increased architec- tural variation on the street while still preserving the “single-family feel” of the district. FURTHER RESEARCH Metro Regional Services, Green Streets: Environmental Designs for Transportation. pg. VII-1. 32 Block Block an economy of means Related Charrette Strategies A3; C2; I4; J4; M4 Related Guidelines 1.2; 11; 37; 38; 41 FLEXIBLE LOTS A “flexible lot” can accommodate a 124 variety of house types and still fit into a 125 standard block. As shown, townhouse lots would be 50% to 66% the width of the Part Three – Design Guidelines for Block single family home lot, front-back du- plexes would fit on the same size lot as the single-family home, while the apartment block could be built on 3 to 5 single-fam- ily home lots combined. The flexible lot accommodates a variety of housing types, engenders social mixing, accommodates ageing in place, and provides land use flexibility over time. Site Design for BC Communities The Townhouse The Duplex The Single-Family Home The Apartment or Condominium Block 126 127 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel Site Design for BC Communities Block Parcel 33 - 43 Parcel Capitalize on the Site 33 Shape buildings in response to natural features and phenomena. Connect the Flows 34 Maintain flow through large parcels. 35 Use lanes to increase access. Layer the Systems 36 Minimize hard surfaces. 37 Layer living space within each parcel. 38 Layer living and working. Create a Centre 126 39 Provide a front door on the street. 127 An Economy of Means Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel 40 Design smart parcels. 41 Provide a variety of housing types. 42 Provide semi-private open space for each home. Site Design for BC Communities 43 Create organic unity. The parcel is the smallest increment of development. However, what happens at the scale of the individual house and yard has important social, economic and environmental implica- tions for the rest of the district. The recent (post-1950s) emphasis on the automobile has resulted in a whole new set of dimensions that demand ever-wider parcels to accommodate driveways and garages. Wider indi- vidual parcels mean less density in the aggregate, meaning more expensive infrastructure per individual parcel serviced. It also translates into a context that becomes, over time, so car dependent that even the simplest of everyday needs cannot be satisfied without a car. 128 Site Design for BC Communities Parcel 3; 27;36;40;43.1 Related Guidelines C1; K2;M1;N1;N4;O1;P3 Related CharretteStrategies capitalize onthesite 33 buildings withoutthesefeatures)(Coleet be furtherincreased(byupto40%over Projects –GreenBuildingsProgram. Buildings incorporatingwindowsthat etc.), totalannualenergysavingscan significantly reduceannualoperating energy costs.Combinedwithdaylight controls (e.g.,lightshelves,awnings, http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/html/ Finance andCorporateRelations, FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Employment andInvestment Performance Building Guidelines are highinheattransmissivitycan Cole etal., City ofNewYork Department of Design andConstruction, Performance TargetsforPilot BC MinistriesResponsible: Green BuildingDesignand Construction Guidelines. PASSIVE SOLARGAIN City ofSantaMonica al., highperf.html SF -pp.6-14) High . that siting,massing,ororientationdoesnotundulycompromiseviewsandlandmarks. higher-density buildingswhereresidentsmaytakeadvantageofthebenefitsprovidedbynaturalfeatures.Ensure topography andsolarorientationtoaidinheatingcooling.Cap appeal ofaplacewhiletheyheightentheimpactnaturalfeatures.Carefullyplacedbuildingscanalsoutilize Increased densityneednotsacrificenaturalfeatures.Carefullyarticulatedandplaced,buildingscanaddtothe growth anestallreadytoflyaway.”GastonBachelard,ThePoeticsofSpace,1964. “The imageofthesehousesthatintegratethewind,aspiretolightnessair,andbearontreetheirimpossible 33 Shapeandplacebuildingsinresponsetonaturalfeaturesphenomena. summer sun winter sun Articulate largebuildingsinresponsetoanaturaledge 33.1 ArticulatethePlan for viewingthelandscape. the parcel,anditalsoprovidesmultipleopportunities ticulated planallowsthenaturaledgetopenetrateinto (such asthatofaforestorriparianbufferzone).Thear reduce energydemand andsavelife-cyclecosts. when sitingbuildings andinfrastrctureinorderto exchange, fuelcells, orotheralternativeenergysources photovoltaic panels, windpower,geothermalheat Consider theuseofsolarwaterpre-heating, 3.33 UseEnergyWisely view andthatarepartofastreetwall. community below.Usefaçadesthathelptoframea plants andtostayincontactwithbothnaturetheir spaces. Abalconyforeachunitletsresidentsnurture sun, butnotthehighsummertopenetrateinterior awnings shouldbeprovidedtoallowthelowwinter of naturallightintounits.Overhangs,shelvesand tial units.Windowareashouldmaximizetheavailability for lighttopenetratethedeeperrecessesofresiden the façadeofabuildingprovidesmoreopportunities Stepping theenvelopeand/ordramaticallyarticulating 33.2 SteptheEnvelope italize onthesitebyconsideratelysituating - - 34 Parcel connect the flows 34 Maintain flow through large parcels. “An invisible landscape conditions the visible one; everything that moves in the sunlight is driven by the lapping wave enclosed beneath the rock’s calcareous sky.” Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972. Texture, complexity, and intricacy in urban development enhances the flow of air, light, water, people, and other creatures. The flow of all of these urban landscape elements is essential for community health. The parcel should be designed with this in mind. Related Charrette Strategies J2; K3; N1; P1; P2 Related Guidelines 29; 36; 40 GREEN PARKING 34.1 Penetrable Buildings Large building footprints can feel imposing and may Incorporating stormwater best 129 reduce the quality of interior spaces. Where possible, management practices (BMPs) into the design of parking lots can reduce total reduce large building footprints and provide pedes- Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel trian access through buildings in order to allow the free nutrient export by up to half of that movement of people, light, and air. Entrances, foyers, exported from a conventionally designed and lobbies that contain many large windows make parking lot (Zielinski, 28). Bio-swales, buildings seem welcoming as they allow light to pen- stormwater planters, trees, and rooftops of etrate interior spaces. Open courtyards and airy entries adjacent buildings can become links in a provide light and natural ventilation for large buildings. “chain” of BMPs that slow the rate of flow and assist in breaking down pollutants in runoff from large parking surfaces. Specific BMPs should be chosen for the type of remediation needed and according to site characteristics. For example, sedimentation devices work best at breaking down coarse particulate, 34.2 Water Flow while marshes and wetlands are better Manage water flow on larger parcels. Large building at treating fine particulate. Choosing footprints and vast parking lots lead to higher a combination of measures will ensure percentages of impervious surfaces on the parcel. Use a complete and comprehensive system. porous paving and/or infiltration devices for parking Remember that in general, infiltration areas and paths, and use landscaped areas as “rain is many times more effective than gardens” for stormwater management. Where possible, conveyance and treatment based create some smaller parking stalls and use one-way strategies. aisles in conjunction with angled parking to reduce impervious surface cover. Plant shade trees so they will cover 50% of the parking surface at maturity. This will reduce heat and improve stormwater management. Create an on-site retention pond for peak flow reductions and to slow infiltration into the soil. FURTHER RESEARCH Center for Watershed Protection. The Importance of Imperviousness. Richman and Associates et al., Start at the Source: Residential Site Planning & Design Guidance Manual for Stormwater Quality Protection. Zielinski, J. “The Benefits of Better Site Design in Commercial Developments.” 35 Parcel Parcel connect the flows 35 Use lanes to increase access. “Those who get too used to using maps can’t see the real roads under their feet.” Joseph Bruchac, “First Day after the Sun Dance,” Parabola, Summer, 1982. Lanes increase both accessibility to each parcel and connectivity throughout the community. A lane bisecting a block creates opportunities for increased flow: for people, for bikes, and for stormwater. Where a lane ends on public open space, it gives residents access to common open space. Connect the flow of people and stormwater by providing lanes as well as streets. Related Charrette Strategies A1; H2; K3; M2; N2: O2; O3 Related Guidelines 5; 17; 29.1; 39 130 131 35.1 Lanes for All It is very difficult to provide attractive and social small- Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel lot housing served by front drives. Rear lanes give one access to a parcel from either end of it. Primary units have their front door on the street, while the lane provides access to car storage, deliveries, and secondary units or coach houses. Building setbacks and entries should allow sufficient privacy while also providing surveillance of the street or lane. In residential areas, front setbacks should be minimal to preserve land and protect the street (between 3 and 5 metres). Site Design for BC Communities or this not this do this 35.2 Open Space Access Parcels should front onto open space, not back on to them. Where backing parcels onto natural areas cannot be avoided, lanes will provide a more public edge than would a row of backyard fences. Lanes also provide a venue for social interaction among neighbours and a safer, potentially more visible place for children to play. 36 Parcel Parcel layer the systems 36 Minimize hard surfaces. “The chateau planted on the hilltop had a cluster of cellars for roots.” Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space, 1964. What goes on under the surface is important. Allowing rain water to infiltrate onto front and back yards supports streams and groundwater aquifers by replenishing them during dry months. Allow rainwater to infiltrate the soil Related Charrette Strategies all year around. Every yard can play a part in infiltration. Layer living and ecological systems onto each parcel by B1; H3; N1; O1; P1; P2 minimizing hard surfaces, providing space and soil for a lush garden, and maximizing rainwater infiltration. Related Guidelines 1; 24; 33; 34; 40 SITE PERMEABILITY Different land uses have different 130 perviousness levels with commercial/ 131 industrial uses often covering up to 90% of a site. Reducing the amount of effective impervious area (impervious areas directly Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel 36.1 Build up Not Out connected to the drainage system) of a Building up, rather than out, creates a smaller footprint development can measurably increase for the same square footage. This ensures that more watershed health. of the lot is available for rainwater infiltration and that higher overall densities can be achieved without elimi- BUILDING COVERAGE nating yards and gardens. For the elderly, inexpensive lifts can be incorporated into a tall, narrow 3 storey The following provides suggested ranges house for less than the cost of an equal sized 1 storey for lot coverage in order to maximize Site Design for BC Communities home. stormwater infiltration on a site (City of Surrey, 2000). flared Residential single-family 45% duplex and townhouse 55% - 65% high density/mixed-use 55% - 80% Commercial mixed-use 80% neighbourhood 50% Industrial 50 - 70% ribbon-strip 36.2 Decrease Driveways PERMEABLE MATERIALS As people have come to own more cars, driveways have come to cover a larger percentage of each parcel. Con- Permeable surface materials (such as crete driveways are impervious to rainwater. Minimize porous asphalt, individual pavers, crushed concrete surfaces by constructing a narrow driveway, gravel, or another equally effective and include a flare to provide a parking court next to material) should be used as appropriate the garage. Alternatively, use a “ribbon-strip” drive- shared for car storage, walkways, and other way rather than a full paved slab. Sharing a side-yard surfaces around buildings. All other driveway between parcels also reduces pavement. Use non-pervious areas should drain into a paving stones, permeable asphalt, or crushed stone or pervious surface area. gravel to make “hard” surfaces more pervious. FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY City of Surrey Department of Planning and Development, “Land-use and Development Performance Standards and Design Guidelines.” In East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan. Metro Regional Services, Green Streets: Environmental Designs for Transportation 2040. p. VI - 21. BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Envrionment Canada., Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia (Draft). 37 Parcel Parcel layer the systems 37 Layer living space within each parcel. “He was a man with only one story: he had his cellar in his attic.” Joe Bousquet, La neige d’un autre age. Houses with a single level of living space cannot answer all of the needs of a family unless spread out over a large area. Layer living space within each lot to decrease the area of each lot, reduce housing costs, provide private family space, and foster community cohesion. It is often financially difficult for young families to own their own homes. Secondary suites provide “mortgage helpers” increasing the range of people that can afford a home while pro- Related Charrette Strategies viding low cost rental housing for those who need it. These strategies also allow residents to age in place and/or A3; I4; J4; L4; M4 provide a private place for teenagers. Domestic-scale elevators can provide full accessibility in tall houses and are often more cost-effective than building the same living area in a single-floor house. Related Guidelines 11; 32; 41 37.1 The Basement Suite The basement suite is a model common to BC. It can be totally independent from the upper floors, or it can have optional access between dwelling units. Complete AFFORDABLE LIVING segregation is ideal for market rental units, which can supplement the family income. Complete or partial in- In the GVRD, there are approxi- ternal interconnectivity, such as a shared kitchen on the 132 mately 60-70,000 secondary suites, main floor, is ideal either for live-in parents who may 133 accounting for approximately need care or for an older child who needs some degree 20% of the rental housing sup- ply. However, many of these are of independence. In each case, a separate entrance is Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel “illegal” due to restrictive zoning desirable to give the resident a sense of independence. and inflated impact fees imposed Some kind of semi-private outdoor space around by many municipalities. A recent the entrance is also recommended. Sound insulation study found that secondary suites between units is essential for safeguarding privacy and in urban areas consume less than enhancing liveability. 40% of the water, produce less than 40% of the garbage, and add only 36% as much volume to roads than do primary dwelling unit occupants. Site Design for BC Communities Yet, in many municipalities, impact fees are upwards of 80 to 100% of that paid by the regular suite (Eberle and Kraus, 1999). ENERGY EFFICIENT LIVING Secondary suites provide the following energy-saving benefits: 37.2 The Carriage House • Increased viability of public A suite above the garage is ideal for parcels accessible transit; from a lane. Separating the suite from the house gives • Reduced costs of recycling and homeowners and tenants a greater sense of indepen- reuse, as well as collection of waste; dence. Lane access means easy car access for tenants, • Reduced demand for materials used who keep a watchful eye on the lane. A carriage house for constructing residential neigh- bourhoods (due to lower average is also ideal for a home office or an artist’s studio, elimi- per household residential space); nating the need to rent work space elsewhere. Corner and lots are ideal for a carriage house because the principal • Lower household energy use per per- entry may face the flanking street; otherwise, the entry son since multiple dwelling units must connect to the street via the side yard. can be heated or cooled using less energy per unit of area than other forms of housing. (Adapted from Canadian Urban Institute in Eberle and Kraus, 1999). FURTHER RESEARCH/POLICY Canadian Urban Institute, Housing Intensification: Policies, Constraints and Options. Eberle and Kraus, Measuring the Impact of Secondary Suites On Mu- 37.3 The Attic nicipal Services and Infrastructure. Often thought of as a mere storage space, the attic has great potential for increasing the living space in a small Energy Pathways Inc. Second house. Although not always suited for secondary suites, Dwelling Units in Rural and Village the attic is ideal for a teenager suite, office, or studio. Settings. Even small or low attics can provide enough area and height to warrant a sleeping loft for children or guests. 38 Parcel Parcel layer the systems 38 Layer living and working. “This is not simply a home office. It is the room of a man’s life.” Akiko Busch, Geography of Home, 1999. Living and working in the same place is not a new idea. Almost everyone has lived near a local corner store that is attached to a full house or has a suite above it. Artists often live in a loft that also functions as their studio. By simply expanding this idea to include offices, retail shops, and craftspeople, many more people can live and work Related Charrette Strategies in the same place. From lofts in mixed-use buildings to single-family detached homes that incorporate office space, B4; E4; I4; L4; P4 ensure that there are layered working and living spaces throughout the community. Related Guidelines 8; 9; 11; 32; 37 DESIGNING FOR LIVING AND WORKING 132 The detailed design of each live/work unit 133 will vary according to the nature of work being undertaken as well as the family Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel needs of the household. In addition to 38.1 Live Above these variables, the design of homes with Situate a loft or second-floor suite above a studio, office, combined living and working spaces or storefront. This allows individuals or a couple to live should consider the following: and work in the same place. • Occupation and scale of work • Housing type and environmental/ community context Site Design for BC Communities • Amount and characteristics of equipment • Gender and stage of life cycle • Telecommunication/transportation access • Number and frequency of clientele (Adapted from Cullen in Gurstein, 2001, p.144). ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN The integration of working space into 38.2 Live Beside living space should maximize human “Barnacle” a studio, office, or storefront onto the side comfort and environmental quality. of the main home. This gives enough room for a large Important considerations include: access family and allows family members to work in the same to natural light and ventilation, visual place. and acoustical privacy, and adequate work and storage space. A physical connection between the working and living space should be provided. Work units should have direct pedestrian access to the street. FURTHER RESEARCH Gurstein, Wired to the World, Chained to the Home. City of Surrey Department of Planning and Development et al., “Section 4.3: Live/Work - Work/Live Areas,” East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan. Contreras, Ferrara Architects Inc. Home Occupation Scenario. 39 Parcel Parcel create a centre 39 Provide a front door on the street “If there is any part of the home that does not belong exclusively to the people who live there, it is the front door.” Akiko Busch, Geography of Home, 1999. The edge between the building and the street is a crucial space. It both separates and connects residents to the public realm. Placing homes and shops close to the street edge provides more “eyes on the street” and makes the Related Charrette Strategies community a safer and friendlier place for everyone. F3; G2; H3; I3; M2; O2 Related Guidelines 24; 25; 26; 28 39.1 A Friendly Face Houses with windows, doors, and porches on the street allow residents to keep a watchful eye on activity. A porch and front door on the street provide an op- portunity to be outside at home, thus encouraging residents to engage with passers-by. A good porch has a clear depth of at least 1.8 metres and is raised a minimum of 0.5 metres above the ground. A low line of vegetation or a fence of no more than 1 metre in height located along the property line makes this semi-private realm quite comfortable as it provides a clear distinction 134 between the front yard and the public street. Houses on 135 corner lots should address both streets. Even when resi- dents are not physically present, the friendly face of the Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel house creates a sense of imminent use and of security. Gated communities preclude public street activity and, thus, are not consistent with sustainable planning prin- ciples. Help to establish “eyes-on-the-street” by locating the garage at the rear of the house, off a lane. Site Design for BC Communities 39.2 Tight Setbacks Houses set close to the street have more of a presence than do those situated further back. A small front- yard setback creates a larger backyard area for private outdoor use. Locate single-family dwellings no more than 5 metres from the property line. Allow porches and stoops to project 1 metre into the setback, and allow stairs to extend into the setback as required. Place townhouse setbacks at no more than 4 metres. It is preferable to build mixed-use and commercial build- 3 to5 m ings to the front lot line, although a 2 metre setback is sometimes acceptable. FURTHER RESEARCH Allen Jacobs. Great Streets. Jane Jacobs. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. 39.3 Garage on the Side Driveway accessed homes on small lots can have a friendly face on the street if the garage door is set back a minimum of 2 metres from the façade so that the visu- al focus is maintained on the residential portion of the building. A recessed garage also allows parking on the driveway and within the property line, while the façade of the house remains visble, close to the street. 40 Parcel Parcel economy of means 40 Design smart parcels. “Being blind, it does not see what it is building; it is interested only in the interior of its dwelling; and even if it could see, as it never leaves home it would be unable to appreciate the external appearance.” Maurice Maeterlinck, Parabola, Winter 1993. We often build our homes without fully considering how the house, yard, and roof function. Sustainability at the parcel level, multiplied by the thousands of parcels in any district, can affect the sustainability and economy of an Related Charrette Strategies entire region. Houses that capture and (re)use energy and resources are cost-effective and reduce environmental N1; N4; O1; P1; P2 impact. This decreases community environmental repair and maintenance costs. Engender a personal understanding of sustainability and decrease costs at the source by making the parcel more sustainable. retained trees Related Guidelines 33; 34; 36 infiltration pit 40.1 The Yard The yard is like a small sponge; it can absorb all the rain draining off roofs, parking areas, and pathways. Use permeable pavers materials such as crushed stone or pervious pavement for permeable driveways and paths. Cover no more than 50% of a parcel with buildings and impervious GREEN YARDS surfaces. Design all permeable areas, such as lawns and gardens, to accept runoff. A concave lawn edged by Minimizing site disturbance during construction will assist in maintaining 134 gardens can collect and infiltrate stormwater on-site. 135 front yard tree soil hydrology while preserving vegetation Yards are also an important part of the urban forest and and nearby watercourses. A thorough should be planted with shade trees that, at maturity, site inventory and assessment should be Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel should cover 40% of the lot. Stockpile topsoil during undertaken at the design stage to ensure development for redistribution; the resulting topsoil proper consideration and protection of can be twice the original depth. Soil porosity must be environmental features. maintained throughout construction and tested before occupancy permits are issued. GREEN ROOFS Roofs that are moderately sloped or flat provide ample space for growing gardens or for providing habitat for local birds. 40.2 The Roof Site Design for BC Communities Even roofs with a pitch of up to 45% can The roof is often overlooked as a functional element accommodate planting, although greater of the sustainable home. A rooftop cistern can collect consideration to prevent soil slipping and rainwater for irrigation, while water from the roof can solar panels to ensure adequate water retention in be filtered for household use. Rain barrels attached to the substrate are required. Adequate roof photovoltaics downspouts can provide water for irrigation and re- drainage and waterproofing are important move water from storm drains. Alternately, a splash pad disconnected roof considerations on all green roofs. at each downspout can dissipate water into yard turf. leader – drains to garden Recommended depths for soil are: A flat roof is ideal for a roof garden: it provides a place rain barrel to grow flowers and food for those who do not have groundcovers: 30 cm access to a garden plot on the ground. When lifecycle urban agriculture + flowers: 30 - 45 cm costs are considered, green roofs are cost-competitive shrubs: 45 - 60 cm with conventional roofs as, if properly maintained, they trees: 76 - 92 cm (Cole et al., 1999, LA - p.13.) seldom need to be replaced. Solar panels mounted on or in the roof of a house can convert sunlight into GREEN CONSTRUCTION energy cost-effectively. Stored for later use, this energy can be used to run appliances and generate heat. Ori- Minimizing, reusing, and recycling ent rooftop gardens and decks so as to maximize solar construction and demolition waste gain and quality of view. will reduce the energy consumption of buildings before they are occupied. Waste Management Plans ensure construction- site recycling of various construction materials and by-products. 40.3 The House Collection and use of solar radiation at a house-by- house scale can greatly reduce reliance on off-site energy sources. Absorbing heat from the sun can be large overhangs FURTHER RESEARCH as simple as orienting the windows of buildings to the for shade and south. Overhangs, awnings, or trellises prevent the rain protection Wooliams, Planning, Design and high summer sun from overheating the house, while Construction Strategies for Green the low winter sun can penetrate and warm the home. Buildings. Double-paned windows and insulation prevent heat passive solar Cole et al., City of Santa Monica loss. Ground-source heat pumps are more cost-effective Green Building Design and than conventional heating systems, and district-wide Construction Guidelines. heat systems are more efficient still. A composting toilet combined with greywater filtration can completely weather seal on GVRD, “Construction/Demolition building walls and Recycling Program.”http: eliminate a home’s contribution to off-site liquid waste. openings Simple blackwater package systems are now available //www.gvrd. bc.ca/services/garbage/ jobsite/index.html to treat waste from about 20 homes. Treated correctly, clean discharges from black and greywater systems Peck and Callaghan, Greenbacks provide an excellent and safe source for irrigation water from Green Roofs Forging a New and for slow release into infiltration storm systems, thus Industry in Canada. uring summer base flows in nearby streams. 41 Parcel Parcel an economy of means 41 Provide a variety of housing types “Skyscraper, skyscraper, scrape me some sky: tickle the sun while the stars go by.” Dennis Lee, Alligator Pie, 1974. Different families have different needs particularly when it comes to housing needs. The type of residence a family needs depends upon family size, income and the age and physical requirements of family members. Often these needs change over time. If a community contains a full range of housing types residents of all types can find a Related Charrette Strategies home there. A4; B4; D4; I4; J4; L4; M3 Related Guidelines 8.3; 32; 37; 38 41.1 The Single Family Home Single-family homes are attractive for many families. A RESIDENTIAL MIX yard provides opportunities for living, for recreating, and for gardening. While they consume more land than Complete communities provide a healthy other forms, they can be built on lots as small as 232 136 mix of housing types at densities that 137 m2 (2500 sq. ft.). Secondary suites can be included support a viable transit system. For to help young families afford their first home, and for example, the following minimimum family and life-cycle flexibility over time. Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel thresholds used for the East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan achieve an average net density of 25 units per hectare. Single family detached 41.2 The Duplex Half-acre (4 upa ): 9% Duplexes offer many of the same amenities as do single-family houses but usually at a lower price and Single Family detached and duplex greater land use efficiency. Both households can share Site Design for BC Communities Low Density (6 - 10 upa): 19% a garage off of the back lane while having individual front doors and porches facing onto the public street. Single Family detached and duplex Optional secondary suites, either on the ground floor Medium Density (10 - 15 upa): 16% of each unit or as coach houses, can further decrease mortgage costs for each family. Larger parcels and Town house and apartment corner lots are ideal locations for duplexes. Medium-High Density (25 - 45 upa ): 15% Apartment/condominium Mixed-use (25 - 45 upa): 10% 41.3 The Townhouse A townhouse answers the needs of residents who want more than an apartment but who cannot afford (or do not want) a large yard. Like the single-family home or duplex, each townhouse unit can have a front door on the street with a porch and small front garden. Rear lane access to car storage is generally required so as to prevent a continuous wall of garage- fronts on the street. A small yard provides private outdoor space. Noise penetration can be minimized by careful party-wall construction. 41.4 The Apartment or Condominium Higher-density units located at the heart of the community provide residents with affordable housing close to their daily needs. Often much less expensive FURTHER RESEARCH / POLICY per unit than a single-family home, apartments are suitable for those buying a first home, for recent City of Surrey Department of empty-nesters, or for renters whose investment Planning and Development, et al., priorities do not include committing to a mortgage. A “Section 3: Land Use Statistics.” balcony for each unit offers an essential connection to East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept nature and the outside community. Plan. 42 Parcel Parcel make it home 42 Provide semi-private open space for each home “Civilization is not only a city that works by allowing people to live near one another, but a good city — one which enables its inhabitants to live good lives together.” Daniel Kemmis, Parabola, Winter 1993. There is something wonderful about being outside and at home at the same time. It provides both a certain sense of security and opportunities for social interaction (e.g., with neighbours and passers-by). When located next to a street or public park, semi-private open space can provide watchful neighbours to deter crime. Make it home by Related Charrette Strategies providing semi-private open space (i.e., a front yard, however small) between the inside of the dwelling and the E2; I3; M3; N3 street. 42.1 The Front Porch 42.2 The Balcony and Patio Related Guidelines A front porch is ideal for watching street activity. Con- A balcony provides a strong sense of security, allowing 25; 28.1 versation with strangers or acquaintances is comfort- for the anonymous viewing of the public realm. Less able when conducted within the secure porch space. social than a front porch, a balcony on the street does The front yard also acts as a transition between public make that street feel safer. In a pinch, a wide window and private space. A front porch gives each home a ledge and a window that opens wide provides an in- public and friendly face on the street contributing to a side-outside experience for an apartment. For multiple- more secure and social public realm. family dwellings and live-work/work-live situations, a patio attached to ground-floor units can provide many of the amenities offered by a full-sized backyard. 136 137 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel Site Design for BC Communities 42.3 The Rooftop Garden 42.4 The Courtyard From single-family homes to apartment towers and In multiple-family homes it is not always possible to live-work/work-live situations, a rooftop garden provide outdoor space for individual units. A shared offers a unique outdoor experience. Residents rarely courtyard gives residents without a yard the oppor- have the opportunity to visit the roof, and a rooftop tunity to be both outside and at home. Some court- garden offers a perfect excuse to do so. It is an ideal yards are fully contained at the centre of the building. location for a kitchen garden because it receives full Located at one edge of the property by the street, a sun. Rooftops with a view are also a great place to host courtyard, like a front porch, can provide opportunities a party or just to look at the stars. A rooftop garden for interaction between residents and passers-by. provides an opportunity to be both outdoors and at home. 43 Parcel Parcel make it home 43 Create organic unity “The birds of Naloot build their nests of stone just as the people do.” Virginia Baron, Parabola, Winter 1993. A community creates or preserves an identity when it exhibits an organic unity. Organic unity does not suggest that everything is the same – far from it. Organic unity means adhering to the basic rules of climate, culture, and economics of a place, while encouraging wide variations within those constraints. This means that infill buildings Related Charrette Principles should adhere to the same climatic and social cues of its older neighbours. It also means that new communities All should produce homes and shops that respect the lessons learned over the generations in other parts of the region. In short, sustainable buildings are made home when they gracefully accept the gifts of their place, expressing these same gifts in their form and character. Related Guidelines All 43.1 Form Structures, when combined to form a sustainable community, form an organic continuity. This continuity is impelled by both cultural and physical imperatives. Ignoring these imperatives can produce disastrous results. Juxtaposing incoherent building forms (like those illustrated at left) produces airflow turbulence not this around buildings and blocks the warming sun from 138 lower structures, leading to excessive building energy 139 use. A similarly wasteful transportation pattern often emerges in such areas, leading to higher than necessary automobile dependence. This incoherent pattern also Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel produces serious cultural problems. Citizens perceive a threat to their sense of “home” when incompatible new building forms are proposed for their neighbourhoods. Often it seems that any proposal for change will pro- voke neighbourhood resistance; however, experience has shown that citizens will accept building proposals which respect their unwritten formal rules for “home,” even when the proposed building departs from typical Site Design for BC Communities building density, tenure type, and allowed use. 43.2 Character If we imagine that the form of a building is like the form of the human body, then we can also imagine that the character of a building is like the character of an indi- but this vidual human face. A building presents a certain kind of face to the community, either welcoming or cold, either dominated by cars or dominated by people, either cheaply commercial or socially refined. Sustainable communities have building faces that are compatible with the underlying social, economic, and ecological imperatives of the community. They welcome neigh- bours, save expense, and capitalize on the climate while preserving the ecology. For example, large roof over- hangs protect building skins from rain, admit winter sun, and provide protected places for conversing with passersby. Make it home by striving for a diverse yet or- ganically connected assembly of building faces – faces that both express the individuality of their inhabitants and their common connection to the world outside. Parcel Parcel 138 139 Part Three – Design Guidelines for Parcel Site Design for BC Communities Parcel A COMPLETE COMMUNITY At right is one example of how many of the design guidelines shown on previous pages could be applied in one district. This is a community within which: · There is a place to live no matter what your age, your income, your family circumstances, or your stage of life. · Local businesses and commercial services are within a five minute walk. · Streets are interconnected and pedes- trian friendly. · People and porches dominate the streetscape, not cars. · Streets are designed with lighter, greener, cheaper infrastructure – to 140 save money and to save fish. · Parks and natural areas are part of the comprehensive green infrastructure system and are always within a short walk of all homes. · Public transportation is a convenience to all. Site Design for BC Communities Homes in communities like this have been shown to be up to 40% more valuable than homes in conventionally designed communities. This added value is a reflection of the extent to which citizens desire this way of life. Why then don’t we build all communities this way? Part of the answer is that changing the intricate set of codes that currently govern the design of communities, while needed to yield the kind of community shown, is a challenging, time-intensive process. These kinds of changes don’t happen by themselves. Design tools, such as those shown in this manual, provide a necessary point of departure, while the continued and collective efforts of citizens, elected officials, developers, lenders, parks departments, municipal engineers, federal and provincial regulators are Designed and drawn by Stacy Moriarty, Moriarty and Company Ltd. crucial for translating them into daily practice. Conclusion 141 ------Ecology Ways must be found both to reduce the effective impervious surface to below 10% while continuing to accept the ne cessity of high-density development (for affordability- and transportation-related imperatives). Urban forests (i.e., street trees and yard trees) can absorb, tran spirate, evaporate, and mitigate storm water in a way akin to that of natural forests. Yet region-specific data on urban forests and their influence on watershed quality is rare. Alternative Financing Sustainable communities must also be affordable and fair. Alternative financ ing tools, such as location-efficient mortgages and tax or development offsets, allow lenders to recognize the hidden assets of complete communities (e.g., public transit and higher density), ensuring that more low- and moderate- income families, first-time homeowners, and dedicated transit users can obtain mortgages (or larger mortgages than those for which they would otherwise qualify). How can these tools increase home purchases in BC communities, boost transit ridership, reduce energy consumption, and improve air quality? 2 Urban Forestry Due to the increasing degradation of stream habitat, urban stream hydrology is becoming an increasingly urgent is sue. Research shows that stream hydrol ogy is affected when effective impervi ous surfaces reach 10% of total water shed area. Urbanization typically results in impervious surfaces of 50% or more. urban landscape, thus enhancing af thus enhancing landscape, urban the economic mitigating and fordability of urban consequences and ecological development? Risk Management tech nature, innovative By their very outset cost more at the nologies often through Viewed term. long the over than may prove much a lifecycle lens, they technolo less costly than conventional often involve gies. However, lifecycles the technology different “owners” of financial stakes. and, therefore, different pro Financing and risk management into account the grams need to take sustainable com integrated aspects of the long-term munities and recognize implementation. horizon of community risk man What are the most effective agement strategies for both developers and local governments? What are the strategies that enable the additional risks associated with our first efforts towards more sustainable development to be distributed among those who stand to gain long-term benefit? ------to as wide an audience Economy and Equity and the city. What are the range of financing levers, such as development cost charges (DCCs), that can be restruc tured to help achieve a more sustainable three-tiered framework (organized under the headings of Economy and Equity; Ecology; and Education) for further dis cussion and research. 1 Incentives Building sustainable communities means changing how cities are financed and serviced. In a sustainable community, engineering services (drainage, roads, sewage, energy), land uses (compact, mixed-use communities), and financing for infrastructure must be coordinated and affordable for both the developer practical to cover it in a single volume. In addition to issues related to site and community design (described in detail in this manual) are market, technologi which of all cal, and regulatory variables, sustainability of degree the influence also Addressing these project. given any of will involve continued and coordinated efforts among government, NGOs, and private-sector groups that will have to develop appropriate, equitable, and realistic frameworks for sustaining the health of regions and bioregions over the long term. What follows provides a lution of better development practices. lution of better development Where possible and appropriate, we will continue to disseminate the results of these projects as possible. In this way, we hope this manual can serve as a living record of our collective progress toward creating more environmentally sound, equitable, and complete communities. Further Research Given the wide range of variables in financing, designing, planning, in volved and implementing more sustainable communities, it is impossible and im and far-reaching – is only a start. It is and far-reaching – is sustainable pro now crucial for these so that their posals to be implemented and economic environmental, social, monitored. Their performance can be used to improve our results can then be commu understanding of sustainable the evo nity design and to enhance CONCLUSION ------ hose of us involved in writing and hose of us involved know that producing this manual Design – however comprehensive Upon completion of this manual, the This being said, the strategies and in Part Three of this manual. tation choices. From all of the charrette projects contained in this manual, we derived the design guidelines, contained for preserving clean and natural stream flows, for providing for a fair share of regional employment, and for providing ample affordable housing and transpor pertaining to sustainability. These char rettes proposed viable models for effi cient land use, for protecting and restor ing important fish and wildlife habitat, Burnaby Mountain Community), which also used charrettes to demonstrate lo cal, regional, and national policy goals sustainable community design. To vary ing degrees, this can also be said of two of the other case studies provided in this manual (Southeast False Creek and the East Clayton NCP provided a unique and East Clayton NCP provided a unique and timely opportunity to influence the most current policy and practice relating to debate about the value of integrated stormwater management and wa tershed-based planning in BC. Conse quently, the Headwaters Project and development and approval of detailed engineering standards for East Clay ton continues amidst widening policy affordable ways. It then provides practi reversing for guidelines and strategies cal these trends. development trends are incapable of sustaining us in a manner that will allow us to protect human health and the environment in livable, equitable, and Incorporating years of applied research Incorporating years of applied research and community-based design, this manual helps explain why current guidelines in this manual can make a measurable contribution towards making our regions, communities, and neighbourhoods more sustainable. unfold as we continue to learn more unfold as we continue between human about the interactions and natural systems. and regions is an evolving process. Our and regions is an evolving cultural knowledge empirical, local, and continues to of sustainable practices T communities achieving more sustainable 142 Site Design for BC Communities educational goals. stand howbesttoachievethis andother research isneededinorderto under of thedevelopingchild.Much more systems apartoftheeveryday reality Ideally, thiseffortcouldmakenatural supplemented withlearningmaterials. be integratedintoschoolgroundsand ing. Thesephysicalopportunitiescan way thatcreatesopportunitiesforlearn automatically changethelandscapeina structure intotheurbanlandscapecan However, incorporatinggreeninfra their communitiesintothecurriculum. information aboutthesustainabilityof struggling tofindwaysintegratenew to themedia.Educationministriesare a varietyoflevels,fromthegradeschool slow andhalting.Educationoperatesat attitudes arechanged,progresswillbe community development.Untilthese attitudes towardsachievingsustainable to changeinstitutionalandindividual iarity withnewconceptsmakeitdifficult Entrenched attitudesandlackoffamil Environmental andSocialLearning 3 structure systemsinourcommunities. and monitoringintegratedgreeninfra frameworks fordesigning,implementing agement willprovidethenecessary based communityplanningandman Continued effortstowardswatershed reflects thedynamicsofwatershed. purpose istoensurethatdevelopment herein) aredesignstrategieswhose grated greeninfrastructure(asdescribed best managementpracticesandinte natural systems.Theuseofengineering optimum post-developmenthealthof performance targetsformaintainingthe state providesabasisfordeveloping component parts)intheir“natural” and interactionsofwatersheds(andtheir terrestrial features, conditions, processes, ing thehuman,aquatic,riparian,and systems containedtherein.Understand effects onthewatershedandnatural made with an eye towards their potential and communitydesigndecisionsare planning meansthatresource,landuse, sign. Insimpleterms,watershed-based fundamental unitofplanningandde the importanceofwatershedasa approaches todevelopmentrecognize tive ecological systems. Watershed-based impact ofurbandevelopmentonsensi a moreintegratedconsiderationofthe various levelsofgovernmentsuggests munity-based watershedplanningat The emergenceofframeworksforcom Watershed-based Planning Education ------much neededsolutions. this manualhelpsprovidesomeofthese found atthesitelevel.Itisourhopethat many importantregionalissuesmustbe consequences andthatthesolutionsto urban designdecisionsproduceregional stakeholders increasinglyrecognizethat officials, appointedandother region andbeyond.Citizens,elected increasingly wellunderstoodinour of theentireurbanregion.Thisfactis ecological, social,andeconomichealth similar sites,profoundlyinfluencethe on onesite,ifrepeatedforallother insight: urbandesigndecisionsmade conceptually linkedtoonefundamental guidelines outlinedinthismanualare All oftheprinciples,strategies,and The “BottomLine” nity resources. term stewardshipofsustainablecommu essential fortheimmediateandlong- developing community-basedstrategies sustainable communitiesaswellfor individuals tounderstandthebenefitsof groups canprovideameansforhelping ties; andgovernmentnon-profit able, efficient,andattractivecommuni help makethecasebyprovidingafford velopment; developersandbuilderscan efficient, sustainablelanduseandde developing policiesthatsupportmore Public agenciescanprovidetheleadby ongoing managementandstewardship. as wellabouttheresponsibilitiesof the benefitsofsustainablecommunities involves educatingconsumersabout more completecommunityliving.This not yetawareoftheoptionsaffordedby communities, butalsotothosewhoare not onlytoearlyadoptersofsustainable veloping marketingstrategiestoappeal them. Bringingthisaboutrequiresde must alsounderstandandembrace development movement,consumers tainability aretoformthebasisforanew At thesametime,ifprinciplesofsus Selling Sustainability ------ 143 Conclusion 142 Site Design for BC Communities their sustainabilitytargets. their electedofficialsset,andthenmeet, options, andshouldhelpcitizens consistent basisforcomparisonbetween opment, thischecklistdoesprovidea absolute measureofsustainabledevel tool. Whilenotintendedasascientificor and electedofficials,asamarketing to enhancecommunicationwithcitizens velopers mightusethechecklistasatool cuss aprojectandevaluateitsmerit.De might usethechecklistasawaytodis minimum levelofcompliance).Citizens (if aproposeddevelopmentachieves infrastructure creditsorDCCreductions ment applicationsand/orassigning list asabasisforevaluatingdevelop Municipalities mightdecidetousethe engineers, regulatorsanddevelopers. be ausefultoolforBCcitizens,planners, recommendations. Wehopethatitwill sents anabbreviatedsummaryofour in themanual,andthiswayrepre item onthechecklistiskeyedtoan ating communitydesignproposals.Each O a sustainabilitychecklistforevalu n thepagesthatfollow,weprovide ------Sustainability Checklist APPENDIX 143 Conclusion Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix 144 Site Design for BC Communities sustainability checklist District 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 17 9 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 Does thedevelopment incorporateamixof uses? transit system? Do residentialandemployment densitiessupporttheregional portation nodes? Is thedevelopmentconcentratedaroundcommercialand trans opment opportunities? recreational, environmentallearning,andcommunitydevel Are publicparks,schoolsitesandwetlandsintegratedtomaxi mize ational accessinmutuallysupportiveways? Do riparianzoneslayerecologicalprotectionandpassiverecre features necessaryforfishsurvival? Are riparianzonessufficienttoprotecttheaquaticandterrestrial tions? Does developmentmaintainpre-developmenthydrologicalcondi porated toreducedownstreamimpactsofdevelopment? Are alternativestormwatermanagementdesignstandardsincor network? Does thedevelopmentsupportandlinktoaregionalecological tally sensitiveand/orhazardous? Is thedevelopmentlocatedoutsideareasidentifiedasenvironment forms andprocesses? Does thedevelopmentreflectanunderstandingofwatershed ning anddesignprocess? Are residentsandcommunitystakeholdersinvolvedintheplan and transportation? Does thedevelopmentsupportacoordinationbetweenland-use Does thedevelopmentutilizeexistinginfrastructurenetworks? plans andstrategies? uid Waste Management, pollution management, and/or watershed Does thedevelopmentreflectgoals/objectivesofregionalLiq reflect OfficialCommunityPlanprinciples? Do sitedevelopment,engineeringandsubdivisionrequirements reflect thepurposeandgoalsofregionalgrowthstrategy? Do sitedevelopment,engineeringandsubdivisionrequirements ------Yes No Take Action Appendix – Sustainability Checklist 145 District ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ------sustainability checklist sustainability reductions in VKT. in reductions Mixing land uses provides an opportunity for families to live and work in the same area, curbing reliance on automobiles, and con tributing to social vibrancy. an important way of increasing public awareness of the value of ecologically sensitive areas and increasing support for their ongoing stewardship. Combined school/park sites can simultaneously fulfill educational, recreational and community needs in a cost effective manner. Concentrating and combining land uses creates more complete communities and provides the population densities needed to sup port transportation modes other than the car. densi employment and uph 25 of density residential minimum A business-related on hectare per employees 175 - 125 between of ties significant to lead can and service transit regional support parcels An ecological network connects habitat corridors, urban forests, An ecological network connects habitat large riparian areas and agricultural areas and enhances biodiversity. techniques disrupt surface Conventional storm water management groundwater recharge. flow and eliminate the opportunity for conditions after devel Maintaining pre-development hydrological health of the watershed. opment occurs ensures the hydrological Riparian zones are crucial for supporting habitat related to stream health and for filtering sediment and pollutants from runoff. Combining environmental protection with passive recreation is Coordinating land use and transportation planning can reduce trip dis trip reduce can planning transportation and use land cars. on Coordinating reliance curb and (VKT) travelled kilometres vehicle and tances help ensure that Multi-stakeholder, community-based processes and conflicting issues concerns regarding development are voiced agreeable manner. can be reconciled in an efficient, mutually resource, land use and Watershed based planning ensures that with an eye towards their community design decisions are made the natural systems therein. potential impacts on the watershed and to Identifying environmentally sensitive and/or hazardous areas prior of fragile ecological development ensures the long term protection systems. gies provide a long range course of action for a long range course strategies provide Regional growth objectives. and environmental social, economic meeting common and principles and objectives for the form An OCP outlines broad within a community. It should be support character of development strategy. ive of the regional growth strate Plans, air pollution management Liquid Waste Management regional plans are specific tools that support gies and watershed objectives. environmental protection as infrastructure networks saves costs Developing within existing of road and water networks. sociated with expansion Rationale 10.1, 11.1, 11.2 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 9.2 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.2, 9.3 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 12.1, 12.2 3.1, 5.1, 5.5 3.1, 3.3, 5.5 4.1, 4.1, 4.3, 7.3 3.3, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 6.3, 7.3 4.2, 4.3, 7.3 1.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 Pg. 24 1.1, 8.2, 8.3 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 Pg. 21, 22 Pg. 17 Pg. 20 Related Guideline/Pg. Related 146 Site Design Manual for BC Communities Corridor sustainability checklist District 30 29 28 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 35 34 33 32 31 27 Are streetsdesigned toframeimportantviews? cyclists? Are streetsdesignedtobesafe andcomfortableforpedestrians environment? Is parkinglocatedsuchthatitdoesnotdetractfromthepedes trian is maximized? Are on-siteparkingrequirementsminimizedwhileon-street parking Street’? Are commercialactivitiescenteredonapedestrianoriented ‘Main imize earthworksandsiteengineering? Does thestreetnetworkrespondtoexistingtopographyand min and corridors? Are opportunitiesforhabitatenhancementincorporatedintostreets habitat? Are streamcrossingsdesignedtominimizeimpactonaquatic Are streetsdesignedtoinfiltrateandtreatstormwater? Does thedevelopmentmeetrequirementsforriparianprotection? structure beenconsidered? Has theincorporationofdistrict-scaleenergyandservicinginfra Are opportunitiesforregionalfoodproductionmaximized? imum extentpossible? Are homesorientedtowardsopenspaceand/orviewstothemax accommodate differentusesattimesoftheday? Are publicfacilities(e.g.,schoolsandcommunitycentres)sharedto Does thedevelopmentenhancelocalidentityandcharacter? network? Are greenwaysandbikewaysintegratedintothetransportation minute walk)ofneighborhoodstores,parksandtransit? Are allresidencesinthedevelopmentlocatedwithina400metre(5 movement throughthecommunity? Is thestreetsysteminterconnectedtoallowmultiplepathsfor - - - Yes No Take Action 147 Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix 146 Site Design Manual for BC Communities 13.3 25.1, 25.2,26.2 22.3, 24.2,24.3,25.1 22.1, 22.3,26.1 22.1, 22.2,22.3,24.1 23.3 15.1, 15.2,15.3,23.1, 20.1, 20.2,20.3,21 16.1, 17.3 15.3,19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 23.1 16.1, 16.2 5.1 8.1,3.4 13.1, 13.2,13.3 7.1, 12.1,12.2 2.1, 2.2,14.1,14.2,14.3 6.3, 8.1,13.1 8.1, 8.3,13.1 6.2, 6.3,1 Related Guidelines 1.1, 11.2 the valueofhomes. Framing keyviews connectspeopletotheland scape andcan increase on automobiles. Designing fortheneedsofpedestrians andcyclistscurbsdependence and createsabufferforpedestrians. angled parkinginbothdirections givesdirectaccesstostorefronts impact ofcarsonthepedestrianenvironment.On-street,parallel,or Locating parkingundergroundorbehindbuildingsreduces the by maximizingon-streetandlaneparking. portation demandmanagementstrategywhichmustalsobematched Reducing minimumon-siteparkingstandardsisanimportant trans cater tothedistrict. A pedestrianoriented‘MainStreet’providesshopsandservices that mental impacts. Fitting streetstothelandminimizesconstructioncostsand environ and evapotranspirationofrainwater. habitat forbirdsandothersmallcreaturestoallowinfiltration Traffic bulges,boulevardsandtrafficislandscanbeplantedtocreate banks andchannelstructure. Stream crossingsshouldcausetheleastpossibledisruptiontostream while aninterconnectednetworkdispersesrunoffflow. Narrow streetsrequirelesspavementandreducerunoffquantity, the survivalofaquaticandterrestrialspecies. Maintaining theecologicalintegrityofripariansystemsiscrucialfor disposal needsandenergyuse. Development shouldbeconsistentwiththeminimizationofwaste space forcommunitygardenscanprovidefoodproduction. Preservation oflandwithhighagriculturalvaluesorprovidingopen can increasepropertyvalues. Locating homesnearandorientatingtowardsparkopenspace munity sports are a few of the potentialLectures, afternoon exercise and evening uses. classes, gardening and cooking workshops, and com careful attentiontophysicalandculturallandscapefeatures. Local identityandcharacterismaintainedfosteredthrougha wildlife boththroughoutadistrictandbetweendistrictsinregion. Greenways areimportantmovementcorridorsforpeople,waterand ute walkofallresidentswilldramaticallyreduceshortcartrips. Locating neighbourhood commercial uses and parks within a five min distances. modes withinacontinuousandconnectednetworkreducestrip An integratedsystemofstreetsaccommodatesalltransportation Rationale sustainability checklist - - - - ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Corridor ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü District 147 Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix 148 Site Design Manual for BC Communities Parcel sustainability checklist Block 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 36 52 51 50 49 48 47 37 mized? Are opportunitiesforsocialinteraction withineachparcelmaxi Are garagesplacedbehindor recessedbackfromahouse? Do homespresentafriendlyfacetothestreet? modate differentfamilyandincometypes? Are avarietyoflivingspaceslayeredwithintheparceltoac com the buildingandsitedesign? Are opportunitiesforwaterreuseandrecyclingincorporat ed into phenomena? Are buildingsarticulatedinresponsetonaturalfeaturesand Does buildingandsitedesignminimizeenergymaterialinputs? Are building footprints reduced to maximize infiltration of rainwater? ardship activities(e.g.,composting;communitygardening)? Do blocksincorporatespaceforpublicgatheringand/orlocalstew Are setbacksminimizedtocreateasenseofenclosureonthestreet? many housingandtenuretypes? Are theremultiplelotsizeswithineachblocktoaccommodate trails? On longerblocksaretheremid-blockconnectionstogreenwaysor Are blocksshortenoughtoprovideeasymovementforpedestrians? Are interruptionstothesidewalkminimized? Do sidewalksconnectblocksonbothsidesofthestreet? mental features? Are blocksdesignedtoembraceandprotectimportantenviron ground water? Are blocksdesignedtomaximizetheinfiltrationandstorageof - - - - Yes No Take Action 149 Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix 148 Site Design Manual for BC Communities 42.1, 42.2,42.3,42.4 36.2, 39.3 39.1, 39.2,39.3 37.1, 37.2,37.3,38.1,8.2 34.2, 40.1,40.2 33.2, 40.1,40.2,40.3 33.1, 33.2, 3.33, 40.2, 40.3 36.1 31.1, 31.2 31.4 32.2 29.2, 29.4 29.1 28.2 28.1 27.1, 27.2,27.3 30.1, 30.2,30.3,30.4 Related Guidelines while maximizingviewsoutwards. phenomena allowslighttopenetrateintospaceswithinabuilding Articulating buildingenvelopesaccordingtositefeaturesandnatural cycle costsofbuildings. ing materials,andtheuseofalternativeenergysourcesreducelife- Optimal solarorientation,high-performanceglazing,recycledbuild vious areaofaparcelandthereforereducesstormwaterquantity. Minimizing thefloorplateofabuildingreduceseffectiveimper ronmental learning. become venuesforsocialinteraction,habitatenhancementanden Small areasofopenspacewithineachblockorneighbourhoodcan fortable placeforusers. Buildings shouldreinforcetheedgesofstreetandprovideacom adapted formultipletypesofland-use. Smaller blocksarecosteffectiveandflexiblebecausetheycanbe Mid-block pathwaysallowpedestrianstomovethroughlargeblocks. means moreintersections,shorterroutes,andslowercars. Shorter blocks(ofbetween150metersto180inlength) buildings aretwowaystominimizeinterruptionssidewalks. ing drivewaysandlocatingcarstorageservicesattherearof Curb cutsanddrivewaysarebarrierstopedestrianmovement.Shar trian useofthestreet. Continuous sidewalksonbothsidesofthestreetencouragepedes and b)maintainahighdegreeofinterconnectivitypermeability. The formationofblocksshould:a)reflectthelandscapestructure; infiltration ofstormwater. Each blockshouldincorporateareasforthefiltering,absorption,and Rationale action amongresidentsofanieghbourhood. Patios, balconies,andrearlanes allowforvaryingdegreesofin tween public and private space along the edge of the streetMinimizing and parcel. the impact of garages creates a stronger relationship be among neighbours. allow forpassivesurveillancewhileincreasingsocialinterac tion Buildings withwindows,doors,andporchesorientedtowards streets diversity ofaneighbourhood. provides amortgagehelperforhomeownersandincreases thesocial Incorporating multipledwellingtypesandtenuresintoaparcel effective, lowmaintenancemethodsofreducingstormwater runoff. Disconnecting roofleaders,rainbarrels,andporouspaving arecost- sustainability checklist ter - - - vi - - - - - ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Parcel Block 149 Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix 150 Site Design Manual for BC Communities British Columbia,Ministryof Envi British ColumbiaBuildingsCorporation. British Columbia,GrowthStrategies British Columbia,DepartmentofMu British ColumbiaAgriculturalLandCom- —. 1997.LocalGovernmentStatutes British Columbia. 1994. Commission on Re BC Transit.1994.TransitandLandUse Arnold, HenryF.1993.TreesinUrban —. 1996.ConservationDesignforSubdi Arendt, Randall.1992.“‘OpenSpace Alexander, Don,andRayTomalty.2001. velopment under Section12of Protection Policy DirectivesDe in Supportofthe Streamside Regulatory ImpactStatement ronment, LandsandParks.2001. 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Ottawa.StatisticsCanada. ning andAdministration13,2:7-20. nance inBritishColumbia,”Plan of VancovuerPlanningDepartment. ver, BC:SheltairGroupInc.andCity for SoutheastFalseCreek.Vancou tainable DevelopmentGuidelines and Targets:EnvironmentallySus ning. NewYork:Wiley. pation MethodsinDesignandPlan 1997. 153 Appendix – Sustainability Checklist Sustainability – Appendix