(Extract from The End Of Cheap Oil,
By Daniel
Leeming , 19 December, 2005, Ontario Planning Journal. )
Planners are probably aware of the recent
initiative in
energy conservation through "Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design" (LEED) as a ranking system of efficiencies for buildings. While
this is an important step, it should go beyond the building and be
applied to entire community areas. Performance is rated in terms of
smart growth, urbanism and green building. The energy savings in a
well-designed community can promote efficiencies in the following:
* Energy: reducing need and improving alternatives. Use
the full range of alternatives and reintroduce smaller power generators
such as the hydro facilities that used to operate throughout Ontario.
* Building Design: go beyond R-2000 to incorporate new
efficiencies through orientation, solar gain and landscape design.
* Water: conservation measures, greywater reuse,
building and landscaping options, including zeriscaping.
* Transportation: improve live/work relationships,
reduce distance demand, support transit, pedestrian networks, compact
multi-use streets and reduce impervious pavement areas.
* Storm Water Management: capture roof runoff, maximize
on- site infiltration, increase parkland natural elements, create storm
water corridors, preserve natural topography and integrate storm water
facilities in open space areas.
* Urban Design: build upon smart growth initiatives,
integrate mixed uses through higher density with greater urban
character, better utilize natural systems, improve live-work
relationships, improve and support transit as alternatives to auto use,
increase community uses within a 5-minute walk, provide options and
packages in buildings and landscaping that promote energy conservation
and biodiversity, enhance natural traffic calming and define
neighbourhoods with clear centres and edges.
Only through a holistic approach of sustainable
practices can longer-term savings be realized while at the same time
creating livable and environmentally responsible places that are
cherished and cared for by their residents.
A community-based LEED review would be judged on four
categories:
1. Location efficiency
2. Environmental preservation
3. Compact, complete and connected neighbourhoods (urban design)
4. Resource efficiency.
source: thro' Email :
john@doccentre.org