Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
L.2.1.2 Demonstration initiatives
- Case study: Truro, NS
The Town of Truro, working with Farmington Development, built a community using
alternative planning and development standards, and convertible house designs as a way
of reducing housing costs. The demonstration project, known as the Farmington Village
project, used several new regulations and standards, including: reduced lot size and
setbacks, narrower street width, narrower right-of-way, combined servicing laterals to
houses, and parkland dedications from 5 to 10 per cent (to retain more natural
vegetation).
• Less energy is used in the construction of roads and rights of ways because
they are narrower than conventional streets.
• The new, narrower road width has been adopted municipal-wide as part of the
new plan review and update, creating further energy savings.
• Conversion potential built into the houses to allow a secondary unit, facilitates
intensification, reducing urban sprawl.
• Smaller lots, reduce the purchasing and maintenance costs.
• Combining servicing laterals to houses reduces the construction costs and
energy associated with it.
Source: ACT. Grant Award fact sheet. http://www.actprogram.com/english/projects/das2.asp For
additional information, contact the City of Truro www.town.truro.ns.ca
- Case study: Surrey, BC
The University of British Columbia, working with the City of Surrey, developed planning
principles, standards and bylaws to demonstrate a sustainable community development
that may reduce housing costs by 30 per cent. The Headwaters Project or East Clayton
project, as it is commonly referred to, is being built in Surrey, BC.
• Compact and walkable neighbourhoods encourage pedestrian activities
because the basic services (e.g., schools, parks, transit, shops, etc.) are within
a five- to six- minute walk of people's homes, saving energy in car use.
• Mixed-use commercial core (i.e., commercial-residential; live/ work and
work/live; ground-oriented town homes), and street-oriented buildings
encourage pedestrian-friendly and economically vibrant community nodes.
• Trip generation per capita is reduced by 40 per cent because of the grid street
pattern layout and others.
• Narrow, curbless streets save money, allow natural water runoff and are more
easily shaded by street trees, saving energy for cooling, and construction and
maintenance of infrastructure.
• Useable backyard space is increased because front yard setbacks are reduced
and parking is accessed through back lanes.
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