Local government authority over land use can play a vital role in tackling climate change. Land use patterns and associated transportation networks are directly related to emission growth. In particular, transportation emissions are BC’s largest source of emissions, and they’re rapidly growing.
Of transportation emissions in BC, the largest percentage share is passenger vehicles. Moving to more fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner fuel sources are important steps in reducing GHG emissions, but local governments have limited jurisdiction in these areas. Local governments can, however, help people drive less by encouraging smart growth development. Compared to conventional, low-density single-use development, smart growth reduces the amount people drive by 20 to 40 %. This translates into an 18-36% reduction in GHGs emissions compared to a business-as-usual scenario. [1]
...given the real choice, we would much rather invest in well-located real estate than in gasoline.
A smart growth approach to land use policy is not one-size-fits-all, and different communities will have different opportunities to encourage smart growth development and reduce GHG emissions. (See Smart Growth Strategies For Urban, Suburban, Small and Rural Communities below.) However, four common characteristics of smart growth land use especially effective in helping reduce GHG emissions. They are Compact, Centered, Complete and Connected, and these concepts are readily adaptable to most communities.
Resources
Complete Streets is an organization providing guidance, resources, and a network of experts on complete streets policy and implementation. http://www.completestreets.org [1]
Community size and context influences the choice of low carbon land use strategies.
[Use the tabs above to learn WHY this sector is important in GHG management and HOW you can reduce emissions in land uses.]
[1] These figures are based on a meta analysis of numerous US studies. They may not precisely extrapolate to Canada. The underlying development patterns, nevertheless, are very similar. Source: Ewing, Bartholomew, Winkelman, Walters, and Chen, 2002. Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, Smart Growth America. http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/growingcoolerCH1.pdf [3] (introduction and summary available online)
[2] Victoria Transportation Policy Institute, http://www.vtpi.org [4]
Other resources:
Campoli and MacLean, 2007. Visualizing Density, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, http://www.lincolninst.edu [5]
Environmental Law Clinic, University of Victoria Faculty of Law, and Deborah Curran and Company, 2007. Green Bylaws Toolkit for Conserving Sensitive Ecosystems and Green Infrastructure, http://www.greenbylaws.ca [6]
Links
[1] http://www.completestreets.org
[2] http://www.cedworks.com/
[3] http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/growingcoolerCH1.pdf
[4] http://www.vtpi.org
[5] http://www.lincolninst.edu
[6] http://www.greenbylaws.ca