GC 2020
657 results found
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Encourage truck drivers to upgrade diesel engines to more modern and efficient models
Newer heavy duty diesel engines are much more efficient and have cleaner emissions than the older ones that exist in most trucks moving through Vancouver. Truck drivers could be provided with an incentive to upgrade to newer trucks.
9 votes -
Work with rail yards to encourage them to reduce rail engine idling and other pollution
Rail traffic can contribute to local air pollution, specifically when idling in Vancouver rail yards. Should expand the idling by-law to rail traffic and work with rail yards to explore voluntary options to reduce idling.
10 votesThis action would be under Federal jurisdiction, but the City of Vancouver along with Metro Vancouver can advocate for changes
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Regulate non-road emission sources like diesel generators, lawn mowers and leaf blowers
Diesel particulate matter (PM) is one of the biggest air quality threats to human health in the city. Its health impacts include lung cancer, heart and respiratory disease, and even premature death.
Non-road emissions, which are a significant source of diesel PM, come from a broad range of sectors including industrial, construction, recreational, lawn and garden, agricultural and other sectors. Their emissions often occur close to ground level and close to where people live, work and play. While emission standards for new non-road engines are already in place, older equipment will continue to be used for decades.
The city should…
82 votesCity of Vancouver to assist Metro Vancouver in their Non-Road Diesel Engine Initiatives & consider application to City of Vancouver equipment. This idea is considered in the draft Greenest City Action Plan
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Ban woodstoves through by-laws
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves can emit substantial amounts of air pollutants (mostly particulate matter). Health Canada reports that the health-impacts of wood smoke include: eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, nausea and dizziness; and it can cause or worsen symptoms for people with asthma or respiratory problems. The CIty could update its building code so that woodstoves are not allowed in new home construction or limit permitted appliances to advanced combustion technologies only.
58 votesCity of Vancouver is considering the possibility of a ban for all new residential construction. This idea is considered in the draft Greenest City Action Plan.
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Increase incentives for people to trade in old woodstoves for more efficient ones
Metro Vancouver already offers a $250 rebate to trade in their old uncertified wood burning appliance for a new low emission appliance. This could be increased and/or more heavily advertised.
http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/air/health/Pages/WoodStoveExchangeProgram.aspx
5 votesCity of Vancouver is part of, and encourages, Metro Vancouver’s woodstove exchange program. This idea is included in the Draft Action Plan.
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Improve air quality monitoring and make it educational
Metro Vancouver is responsible for monitoring air quality across the region. There are only two permanent air quality monitoring stations within the City and their readings aren't representative of the rest of Vancouver because of point sources nearby. Building another air quality monitoring station in a better location could help assess trends in ambient air quality across the City. Mobile monitoring studies could also be conducted along major traffic corridors or near suspected point sources to inform policy decisions.
Educational features such as signage and real-time displays could be incorporated into existing or new monitoring stations. This would help inform…
14 votesCity of Vancouver will support Metro Vancouver’s initiatives for improved monitoring
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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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Build complete, walkable neighbourhoods interconnected by great transit and cycling routes.
Transportation and land use go hand in hand. Good land use can reduce the distance people travel and support more sustainable choices like walking and cycling by bringing people closer to their daily destinations.
The city should provide an appropriate mix of land uses and a high quality pedestrian-oriented public realm. Most services and amenities--such as grocery stores, schools, daycare, parks, community centres, and transit--should be within a safe, enjoyable 5 or 10 minute walk from where people live. Longer trips should be easily served by high quality transit and cycling options.
Links: http://www.vtpi.org/landtravel.pdf, http://vancouver.ca/planning/
599 votesThis is an evolutionary process. The City of Vancouver is already considered a North American leader in this regard. Current and future plans and projects (e.g. Cambie Corridor Planning Program) will continue to embrace this ideal.
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Unbundle parking and housing costs
Many people assume parking is free or inexpensive since it is usually included in the cost of housing. In reality, it is a significant hidden cost -- by some estimates, the cost of a single residential parking space can be $40,000 to $50,000 or even greater. People are more likely to own a car and to drive if they've already paid for a parking space.
Vancouver should explore policies that separate (or 'unbundle') the cost of parking from the cost of housing. This gives home-owners or renters an opportunity to pay for housing without paying for attached parking, increasing both…
176 votesThe City has supported projects that have voluntarily unbundled parking (e.g. Spectrum), and is actively working to gain authority to require unbundling in new development — this requires changes to Provincial legislation. In 2008, the City proposed the Unbundled Parking Resolution to give BC municipalities the authority to require unbundling in new development. This was passed by the Union of BC Municipalities. Provincial response to date: The Ministry of Community Development will review the proposal and refer the issue to the Development Finance Review Committee for discussion.
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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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Cycling for Everyone: Develop a complete cycling network that feels safe and attractive to all
Studies show that most people are open to the idea of cycling, but are discouraged by routes that don't feel safe enough. Vancouver should build a complete network of cycling routes that feel safe and attractive to all, including children, seniors, and novice cyclists. On arterials and other busy streets, bike routes should be physically separated from traffic by curbs, planters, parked cars or other barriers (the Carrall Street Greenway and new Dunsmuir bike lanes are good examples). Quieter neighbourhood routes can be made safer through improved traffic calming including reduced motor vehicle speed limits.
Links: http://vancouver.ca/cycling (City of Vancouver), …
1,002 votesAn ongoing process. Many of the City’s recent initiatives (e.g. downtown separated bike lane trial, additional traffic calming on existing routes) work towards this vision. The draft Greenest City action plan will support this idea, and include directions to help inform the upcoming transportation plan update and new active transportation plan.
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Promote & encourage the use of publically-owned properties with green space for recreation & leisure
Promote and encourage the use of publically-owned green space for recreation and leisure. For example, the RCMP Fairmont Academy at 4949 Heather. Encourage tree planting, landscaping and installation of benches, etc. to improve the aesthetics and experience of these sites.
11 votes -
Convert streets to mini parks, green linkages and/or open space
The conversion of streets/asphalt into mini parks with bike paths, green linkages and landscaping would optimize pedestrian and cycling access, and improves neighbourhood connections. Incorporate walkways, large trees, low shrub planting, furnishings and special features.
78 votes -
Provide more park and public open space in under-served areas
There should be more parks and open spaces available to the public in under-served areas of the city.
25 votes -
Create more community gardens
Provide more opportunities for the creation of community gardens. Existing community gardens should be preserved and enhanced. Encourage community gardens on school grounds for educational and aesthetic purposes.
227 votesCity has already moved beyond the 2,010 (garden plots) by 2010 challenge. Three new gardens were created in the summer of 2010 and others are currently in the planning stage. This is an idea included in the Draft Greenest City Action Plan.
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Develop more useable and green school grounds
School grounds could be more attractive, green, home to habitat. Encourage more greening and beautification of school grounds with plantings, more trees and arboretums. Encourage community gardens on school grounds for educational and aesthetic purposes.
73 votes -
Tree Removal Permit Fee Tied to Age of Tree
The fee that the City charges for a permit to cut down a tree should be tied to the age of the tree. More mature trees should have a larger penalty for removal. i.e. $5/year in tree's age. The current removal fee ($59) is too small to be a deterrent. (Idea submitted by public via twitter)
24 votes
