GC 2020
657 results found
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Payment for ecosystem services
Build a world-leading payment for ecosystem services program for the freshwater. A multi-tiered water user system that redistributes money from water users to watershed managers to restore and manage the watershed so that it continues to purify water naturally!
6 votes -
Encourage deconstruction to recover used building materials & reduce construction waste
Construction waste accounts for a huge proportion of waste in our landfills. The majority of materials can be reused, recycled or repurposed. Deconstruction offers job creation opportunities and supports a new market for used building materials
202 votesThe Draft Greenest City Action Plan includes an action to develop a building deconstruction policy. The City is piloting a building deconstruction project and is exploring options for an incentive program to encourage deconstruction.
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Change zoning to maximizing landscaping of back yards by disallowing garages and laneway houses.
Garages and laneway houses use up green space. Zoning should permit surface parking in rear yards provided the surface is grassy or otherwise landscaped.
5 votes -
Change the Building Code to require rainwater collection & water efficient irrigation systems
Outdoor water consumption represents a significant portion of residential water use. In particular, the watering of lawns and gardens is one of the more water intensive of outdoor water activities. Requiring installation of rainwater harvesting devices for irrigation purposes would decrease the dependence on treated water for irrigation purposes. In addition, specifying the installation of water efficient irrigation systems would further reduce water demand.
314 votesIncluded in the Draft Greenest City Action Plan.
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Encourage Eco-Industrial Parks & Eco-Business Zones
The city can develop an eco-business strategy to help build networks of businesses who work together to : reduce their impacts, resource consumption rates, strain on public infrastructure, and, of course, costs.
Eco-Industrial Parks and eco-business zones are effective models for greening new and existing industry/business activity: By acting collectively, and taking lessons from natural systems, we can create new green business opportunities and transform existing employment areas to use less resources like water & energy, and to attract progressive new green businesses to town.
12 votesNeed to research eco-industrial practices. Strathcona is implementing at a neighbourhood scale. This idea is included in the draft Greenest City Action Plan.
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Reclaim road and/or parking space to create plazas and parklets.
Over 30% of the city's land is street space, and about half of that area is paved for roads. Vancouver should follow in the steps of cities like New York, San Francisco, and Paris, redefining public space to put people first.
Public plazas and parklets could be created by temporarily and inexpensively reclaiming paved areas using things like simple barriers, paint, potted plants, and movable furniture. If the new public spaces are successful, permanent reclaimation could be considered. San Francisco's Pavement to Parks program provides a great example for how this could be pursued.
Links: http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/ (San Francisco Pavement to…
394 votesAn exciting idea!
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Create a Green Enterprise Zone
Vancouver could establish a green enterprise zone that would serve as a magnet for the development of green business, technology, products and services.
27 votesThis idea will be included in the draft Greenest City Action Plan. A Green Enterprize Zone team is establishing an area and some initial projects including two business incubators, specific infrastructure and demonstration projects.
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Create tax incentives for businesses to add planted outdoor spaces for their patrons
[Submitted via mail by Penny Perry]
"usinesses should be rewarded with lower taxes if they supply a planted refuge for their patrons. I am thinking of the fabulous space provided by La Casa Gelato on Glen Drive."
4 votes -
Avoid 50-100 year mistakes.
Ensure that long-term infrastructure, especially buildings, are sustainable from the very start.
4 votesOngoing green building programs address sustainability.
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Get rid of Vision.
Don't fall for this fluff. You want to be green, go for it. But the Vision brand of green is nothing more than another religion of half truths to make you think you are a better person than you are.
3 votes -
Chrismas Tree Legacy Forest/Land
Allocating plots of land such as areas of park space, city sidewalks or other areas so that people can plant potted Christmas trees after use for the holidays would provide trees for people to enjoy in their homes and, once finished for the holidays, a place for the trees to grow and be appreciated by families for years to come.
1 vote -
Increase bike parking in high density residential areas
There is a real lack of bike parking in higher density residential areas of the City. Whenever I’m visiting friends in the West End I see bikes locked to trees, random railings and street signs. Encourage apartments, condos and co-ops to install visitor bike parking to make it more convenient for visitors to arrive by bike.
9 votesThe City has recently been focusing on increasing bike parking supply on key commercial corridors, such as Commercial Drive and Broadway. Once these areas are complete, we may consider opportunities to expand this program into high-density residential areas. However, we would start by encouraging building owners and managers to increase their own bike parking supply.
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compressed work week
A global trend to compress the 5 day commute to 4 days will make Vancouver a leader not a follower! The traditional work week consists of 5 days with each day being 7-8 hours. Many work situations can be changed to allow for non-traditional work weeks. As an example, if you have a 40-hour work week, instead of having everyone work 5, 8-hour days, some of your employees could work 4, 10-hour days. This would produce a 20% reduction in auto emissions pumped into our air and help our environment. A compressed work week is a commute option because it…
26 votes -
Expand the use of electric trolley buses and electric vehicles
One third of Vancouver’s greenhouse gas emissions come from vehicle use. Vancouver’s electricity is powered by relatively clean hydro-electric sources. Expanding the use of electric trolley buses and electric vehicles can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions related to vehicle use.
195 votes -
eliminate crows
Crows are invasive species, loud, destructive, and they kill native birds. Let's reduce the amount of crows to less than 10% of the current population.
9 votes -
Stop making pedestrians push buttons at intersections with traffic lights
Pedestrians should not have to push the walk button at intersections with traffic lights, especially busy locations. Cambie and W Broadway is a prime example of this. Why is Vancouver making walking more of a hassle?
9 votes -
More street food more places
The City's recent allocation of 17 new street-food licenses is a good start. Let's take it to the next level with street food hubs on city-owned parking lots or under-utilized alleyways. These centres could be modelled after those in Portland and feature a wide variety of local, healthy options. A bonus idea: a plate refund system like at the Folk Fest -- so that packaging and wrap can be minimized or done away with!
16 votesThe City has increased the number of street food vendors and types in 2010 and are looking to expand the program in 2011. For details, please visit: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/projects/streetfood.htm
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Provide abundant & secure bicycle parking at transit stations & other key locations.
For many people who live too far from a transit station to walk, cycling could be a great option--if they only had a safe place to leave their bike. Unfortunately bicycle theft is a common occurance in major cities, and Vancouver is no exception.
Abundant and secure bicycle parking (e.g. 'bike stations') should be provided at transit stations and other key locations throughout the city (e.g. downtown Granville Island). Security can be enhanced through smartcard access, security cameras, and/or an attendant. Depending on the location and demand, additional end-of-trip amenities such as lockers, showers, and repair shops could also be…
360 votesThis is acknowledged as a key strategy to better integrate cycling and transit. In 07/2009 the City committed some funding for secure parking facilities at Broadway-City Hall and Olympic Village Canada Line stations. The City has also conducted a feasibility study for a downtown bike centre.
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Lower temperature asphalt and more asphalt recycling
Many techs. exist that allow paving to occur at lower mixing plant temperatures, saving energy and reducing GHG and air polluting emissions. Vancouver (and Metro Vancouver) should mandate their use.
A mandatory % of recycled pavement should also be instituted.
Other "higher" tech asphalts also allow roads to be able to open to traffic sooner, reducing congestion and related emissions (as well as reducing traveller frustration)
8 votes -
Revamp the terrible, inaccurate, obstructive Translink website and mobile applications.
Translink.bc.ca belongs on the internet from 8 years ago. The interface is clunky and slow, frequently inaccurate (try catching a number 17 bus based on the site OR the txt service- you'll be waiting 25 minutes). I really want to use the transit system, but I find myself stymied by this terrible website every time.
These days there are plenty of examples of mobile and web interfaces that are more user friendly and convenient. The website is the FACE of translink for may of us, and it's an ugly and unfriendly face.
If there's no money for development, how about…
11 votesThis falls under TransLink’s jurisdiction.
