South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Matthew Ramsay Emily Czaplinski ENVR 3750

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Context

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Context Residential development 80 acres 5000 residential units

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Background Brownfield site Industrial uses since the 1800s Industries began leaving the site in the 1960s Remediation of the soil estimated to cost $15-25 million 1970 – city of Vancouver re-zones the site for housing and parks 1990 – ‘Clouds of Change’ Called for a re-development of SEFC Sustainable community Now a designated LEED platinum neighbourhood site All buildings must meet or exceed LEED silver designation Create ‘a neighbourhood which is integrated with its urban context while protecting and enhancing the social and economic health of its community as well as the health of local and global ecosystems’ (Marshall, 2003)

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Background

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Background

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Olympic Village A portion of South East False Creek was designated as the Olympic Village for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Facilitated rapid development for that portion of the site The remaining area of SEFC is expected to be completed by 2018

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Green Features Solar optimization Buildings on site oriented to maximize solar gains Greenspace 26 acres dedicated to park spaces Wetland Roof gardens Community food gardens ‘Habitat Compensation Island’ Park and pathway along the length of the seawall edge

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Habitat Compensation Island Built from recycled construction materials from the site Wildlife habitat for birds, plants and marine species Planted 200 native tree, flower and grass species Inter-tidal habitat for marine species Not open to human access

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Green Features Mixed-Use Childcare facilities, elementary school, grocery store, restaurants, pharmacy, etc… 250 affordable housing units 100 housing units for middle income families Sustainable transportation Access to public transportation Promotion of walkability Network of bike paths Waste Management On-site sewage treatment program Recycling & composting initiatives Recycling of construction materials Man-made island constructed of rock and gravel taken from the construction of the Olympic Village

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Green Features

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Green Features

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Sustainable Architecture Rain screen wall system Enhance thermal protections Prevents leaks 30-70% more efficient than traditional buildings Creekside Community Recreation Centre LEED Platinum Green roof Solar power Rainwater collection for greywater systems Resource conservation Eco-wool carpeting Dual-flush toilets Energy star appliances Paints and varnishes which do not contain VOCs Sustainable flooring types Net-Zero building

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Sustainable Architecture

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Green Features ‘Neighbourhood Energy Utility’ system Uses heat from the sewage system to heat air and water for buildings Reduces carbon emissions by 60%

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Costs & Constraints Olympic Village total cost close to $1 billion Rest of the community still unfinished Cost recovery program Development paying for itself through long-term savings Eliminates need for external funding Local activists wanted area to be converted to park space or affordable housing Extremely high cost of site reclamation and remediation made these options impossible Resulted in increased designation of park space in the community

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia Overall Benefits Environmental benefits Reduced energy consumption Less waste Reclamation of a contaminated site Social benefits Increased community connection to environment Park and community spaces Increased community capital Economic benefits Desirable place to live Cost savings due to reduced energy / water / resource consumption Strong local economy Housing and business integration

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia How could the community go greener? Most interesting fact? Questions?

South East False Creek Vancouver, British-Columbia References