Environmental Sustainability, Public Realm

Design Principles:

1. Conserve Land: Development of the public realm should be compact. Development and intensification should occur within existing urban areas to reduce pressure on natural features, open spaces, rural and agricultural lands.

2. Conserve Energy: The design of blocks, streets, transit facilities, collocation of uses, and recycling, can help to reduce energy consumption at the neighbourhood level. The collocation of complementary uses reduces the need to travel long distances, thereby conserving energy and reducing dependence on the automobile.

3. Reduce Water Runoff: Through the preservation of natural vegetated environments, extensive landscaping, and the appropriate use of porous surfaces, urban design strategies can reduce water runoff and improve water quality. Reducing water runoff helps control erosion, river and stream pollution, and can recharge depleted groundwater resources.

4. Promote Alternative Modes of Travel: Alternative modes of travel, such as walking, bicycling and public transit can be promoted through the design of high quality streets with adequate sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and transit facilities (bus stops, seating, etc). Alternative modes of travel can help reduce automobile congestion, pollution and improve public health.

Source: Regional Municipality of Niagara, Model Urban Design Guidelines, 2005

Additional Resources:

Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
http://www.eere.energy.gov/erec/factsheets/landscape.html

Composting
http://www.rco.on.ca/factsheet/compost.html

US Environmental Protection Agency Procurement Guidelines
http://www.epa.gov/cpg/products

Build.Recycle.Net
http://build.recycle.net/trade/rs196726.html