Guidebook Showcases Urban Sustainability in Greater Vancouver
Known as one of the most liveable regions in the world, Greater Vancouver has become a major centre for sustainability. As a step towards promoting awareness of “sustainability in action” a new resource that showcases sustainability in the region will soon be made available to visitors and residents.
Developed through a partnership between the Design Centre for Sustainability at UBC, the Sheltair Group, and Holland Barrs Planning Group, with collaboration form the Greater Vancouver Regional District, The Greater Vancouver GreenGuide will be released in mid-June 2006.
For the first time, the GreenGuide will bring together the green buildings, green neighbourhoods, green infrastructure, open spaces, and social, economic and environmental programs that embody examples of urban sustainability in Greater Vancouver. The goal of the GreenGuide is to celebrate initiatives that are underway in Greater Vancouver, and share lessons from ideas turned into action.
The GreenGuide consists of a 208-page, pocket-sized guidebook with colour pictures, accompanied by a large-scale foldable map that allows users to locate projects. It documents and highlights key sustainability features of 111 projects, provides suggested tours, and tells the region’s sustainability history.
This resource was designed to target a diverse audience that includes local and visiting environmental professionals, architects, planners, landscape architects, and engineers. It will also be useful to local residents, developers, and members of the general public interested in sustainability.
Notably, one of the case studies featured in the GreenGuide is the APEGBC Office in Burnaby. Now ten years old, this building set a precedent for green design, particularly for superior natural lighting technologies. Architects worked alongside engineers in an integrated approach to design this space. The electrical systems maximize passive solar energies for lighting and heating. Most noticeable in appearance are precisely shaped “sails” that are suspended within the interior of the structure. These sails distribute natural and artificial light evenly into the interior space. Extensive glazing and fitted glass louvers on the east and south faces also contribute to an enjoyable workspace for employees.
More information on The Greater Vancouver GreenGuide is available at www.greatervancouvergreenguide.ca.