Topic: community planning

BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code

A Best Practices Guide for Local Governments

British Columbia has set ambitious objectives to combat climate change in the construction sector. The province aims for all newly constructed buildings to have zero operational carbon emissions by 2030 and for all new structures to be ready for net-zero energy by 2032. The BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code are instrumental in reaching these targets. Over the next ten years, the province will methodically integrate these step codes into the foundational BC Building Code, with transitional requirements anticipated in 2024, 2027, and 2030.

The updated BC Step Code Best Practices Guide for Local Governments is a comprehensive revision of the initial 2018 version. This guide has been enriched by contributions from key stakeholders in the building industry, including industry professionals, municipal authorities, utility companies, and housing agencies. It provides fresh insights on the Zero Carbon Step Code and refined best practices derived from extensive practical experience. Nevertheless, the core principles established by the Step Code Council during its initial launch remain relevant: providing early notification, implementing incremental changes, maintaining a clear schedule, and engaging in proactive dialogue and education are all essential for a successful and seamless transition in the market.

The State of Climate Action in Canadian Municipalities

A report and database from the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP)

Municipalities in Canada are essential contributors to the nation’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the objectives set at local, provincial, and national levels. Their role is crucial in the worldwide effort to cap the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C, a goal established by the 2015 Paris Agreement. The proactive participation of these municipalities in the design, execution, and tracking of climate-related measures is not only vital for cutting down local emissions but also for promoting a future that is both sustainable and low in carbon emissions.

The recent database and study released by the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP) draw on survey responses from 256 Canadian municipalities spanning all 10 provinces, which together account for roughly 69.5 percent of the nation’s populace. These municipalities have provided key data concerning their strategies and actions for climate change, including greenhouse gas inventories, policy measures, and initiatives for engaging stakeholders.

The survey results reveal that municipal governments are actively taking significant steps to combat climate change. However, the report also points out that there is room for improvement. Enhancing the speed of interventions, setting more ambitious goals, and improving the effectiveness of local actions are necessary to bolster the nationwide efforts to address climate change.

Victoria’s All Ages and Abilities Cycling Network

Victoria’s All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Cycling Network is changing urban mobility.

AAA Cycling Network Presentation

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Partners for Climate Protection Program

The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a network of Canadian municipalities that have committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and acting on climate change. Delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the PCP program provides tools and resources to support municipalities in achieving their emissions reduction targets.

This insights report details real examples of how Canadian municipalities are leading the charge on climate action. Read on the discover how the PCP program is supporting innovative climate action initiatives in municipalities of all sizes.

Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit

This Toolkit is intended to support the inclusion of health considerations within community planning and design. It is designed as a quick reference to the body of research evidence which describes how our built environment can influence population health. The concept of a “healthy built environment” is considered through a holistic perspective including five core features:

  1. Neighbourhood Design
  2.  Transportation Networks
  3.  Natural Environments
  4.  Food Systems
  5.  Housing

This Toolkit is written for health professionals to assist them in articulating well informed and credible responses within local government planning processes and decision making. However, it can readily be used by other stakeholders

Complete Communities A guide to geospatial land use assessments for British Columbia’s communities

The Complete Communities guide is intended to support local governments in advancing identified community goals through creating more complete communities. It focuses on the process of undertaking assessments to inform land use decision-making, including consideration of housing need, supply, and location; providing transportation options including increased walkability; and making connections to infrastructure investment and servicing decisions.

The guide is intended to be a resource that provides a pathway to elevating the conversation about complete communities in B.C., assisting  in developing a scope of work to seek technical advisory services (if desired), and guidance for technical staff who are completing work “in-house”.

The Path to “Net-Zero Energy” Buildings in BC

This paper looks specifically at the necessary components of a roadmap to make new complex buildings net-zero ready. It describes the environmental and economic case for a deep efficiency pathway, reviews some of the targets and policies adopted in leading jurisdictions, and then articulates ten key policies to get to “net-zero ready”.

Focusing on the uptake of energy efficiency technologies in new buildings, this paper does not explicitly address the role of on-site renewable energy, the unique challenges related to the low-rise residential sector, nor the goal of reducing energy in the existing building stock—though some of the policies discussed in this paper can also support these other aspects of a broader building sector energy and emissions strategy.

Sustainable Urban Landscapes: Site Design Manual for BC Communities

The Site Design Manual for BC Communities is rooted in several and extensive efforts to develop alternative development and engineering standards for the design of new (and for the retrofit of existing) communities in British Columbia. With the cooperation of citizens, government organizations, and related agencies, these efforts have been motivated by a shared belief that integrated processes and principles are crucial ingredients in the development of more sustainable communities and urban regions.

Sustainable Neighbourhood Development

This guide provides top-line, how-to information about the planning and development of sustainable neighbourhoods, offering practical solutions to common challenges. It answers
important questions about sustainable neighbourhood development:

  1. What is a sustainable neighbourhood, and how can I make the case for pursuing this kind of development?
  2. What are the major challenges, and how can they be overcome?
  3. Where else in Canada has this been done successfully, and what factors led to that success?
  4. Where can I go for more in-depth information?