GC 2020
657 results found
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Work with existing district steam heating systems to switch to renewable energy sources
Half of Vancouver’s greenhouse gas emissions come from burning natural gas to heat our buildings. The large district steam heating systems found at the hospitals and downtown are significant users of natural gas. Converting these existing systems to renewable energy sources would reduce reliance on natural gas and help to lower our greenhouse gas emissions.
11 votes -
Develop a directory and/or application that helps consumers choose sustainable products and services
Imagine just selecting the 'green directory' app and being able to find sustainable businesses in the local area? Or finding a product in store and being able to look it up immediately to find out what it's sustainable qualifications are? There are a lot of people out there actively seeking out sustainable products and services, but there are a lot more who are engaged and interested - but just not sure where to start. People are creatures of habit, to motivate them to make changes you need to make it EASY for them to do so! I'm not saying it's…
11 votesThere are multiple green building product and services directories that already exist in Vancouver. www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com and www.metrovancouver.com/buildsmart
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rezone as much as possible single residential to mix use multi residential
Take single residential property and rezone them for the purpose of mix use residential/commercial/office space such as the rise.
11 votes -
Encourage clothes lines through subsidized "kits" and installation assistance
Dryers are huge energy sucks, and outdoor clothes lines can do a fine job drying laundry (at least for the 50 days a year it doesn't rain!). Perhaps a summer student could be hired to come install clothes lines at residences around the city.
11 votesSeveral years ago the City devleoped water saver kits to help people conserve water. Look for clothes line kits to be ready for distribution in 2011.
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Fines for not recycling
The City should insitute and enforce fines against residents and commercial entities for placing recyclables in the garbage. Currently recycling is voluntary. it should not be.
11 votes -
Cleanup and Steward the Local Beaches and Riverfront
Before 1850 the shores of Vancouver were pristine filled with plant and animal life. Streams ran easily into the ocean and the estuaries and deltas were a rich in a mix of fresh and seawater which encouraged even more rich ecosystems.
Today the shoreline of Vancouver is a shadow of its former self. While we cannot bring back the richness of what was 150 years ago, we can cleanup more of the shoreline to make it more habitable for fish and sealife. Guaranteed if this happened the life would return in greater numbers.
Neighbourhoods could “adopt a shoreline” and keep…
11 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.
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Georgia Street Viaduct
The vacant dirt lots under the Georgia Street Viaduct should be turned into a desirable walkable blvd lined shops and cafes that face onto expo blvd and look out onto false creek (and hopefully the expansion of the science world park). Shops and cafes and plazas are sorely missing from this part of the city and having walked many times under this viaduct during Vancouver's common rainy days it is a pleasure! The viaduct is tall and broad and shields one from the rain while still providing the sense of openness. It would be so wonderful to have an outdoor…
11 votesHas been identified as a potential redevelopment zone
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Ban beach police on quad vehicles
If the City really wants to be the greenest in the world, it should not equipped its beach police with quad vehicles that pollute the air (overall when they stay iddle in the middle of the beach) and with noise. Beach police should walk or bike and let people enjoy a vehicule free area. Ironic, that we ban smoking on the beach but our own city police is emiting greenhouse gas...
11 votesVancouver Police Dept. are planning to pilot zero-emission quad (ATV) vehicles in 2011.
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Use Round-Abouts!
Used all over the world, these simple concrete islands are popular for a reason: they work! They keep traffic moving, preventing traffic jams and idling. They slow traffic to prevent fender-benders at "intersections", and are much more visible than stop signs. Plus there is very little construction and maintenance cost compared to traffic lights. They can be used on 2, 4 or more lanes of traffic, there's nothing the round-about can't do!
Plus they're charming. You can plant the middle with natives to make it look beautiful too.
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11 votes
The draft Greenest City Action Plan will include directions to advance parking policies that encourage a reduction in vehicle ownership and driving, support sustainable transportation choices, and increase housing affordability near transit. Better management of curbside parking will help to reduce cruising and congestion caused by drivers searching for an available space. Redesigning the residential parking permit program will address parking spillover concerns associated with off-street reductions and better reflect actual street space value.
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No tax on bikes and biking equipment.
Saving of 12% brings the cost of bikes and safety equipment down.
11 votesThis is under provincial jurisdiction.
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Local Food
Encourage developers to provide commercial space, throughout residential neighborhods, for outlets for locally grown food. Residential development are often required to provide community oriented commercial uses, such as day care.
Local food markets, distributred throughout the residential neighborhoods, would help support local food growth, and reduce impact on infrastructure by reducing the need to get in the car.
11 votesUrban agriculture components are now part of the public benefit negotiations for major developments, however the use of these benefits for a neighbourhood hub like this has not yet been contemplated. Options for neighbourhood based distribution of local food are being considered in the draft Greenest City Action Plan.
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Encourage grass lawn alternatives
[Submitted via email by Patrice Allen]
Grass lawns use excessive water and toxic fertilizers, just to get that lush look. Why not more veggie & flower beds? Or Japanese style pebbles, bricks, tiles, and water-recycling ponds (also to help prevent noise pollution and give the birds a place to drink from) and, most low maintenance of all, a herb lawn of thyme or any of the other fragrant, soft, herbaceous carpets that grow themselves. Encourage planting of succulents (less watering) and native plants and grasses.
11 votesThe City does encourage alternatives to lawns http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/guidelines/W005.pdf
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car free communities
create car-free communities and/or buildings where tenents get a break on rent and/or local transportation costs.
11 votes -
farmBay
It is difficult for local farmers to actively and regularly connect with consumers (i.e., eaters) around specific food items.
Let's say a local farmer has a few dozen extra eggs or a few pounds of extra tomatoes. What does the farmer do? He usual composts the extra.
Across town a restaurant or person at home would like to get some fresh eggs or tomatoes for tonight. But, the farmers market isn't for several days.
How do they connect up? farmBay - eBay for farmers and eaters. Farmers post food for sale and eaters buy it in an eBay like format.
11 votesThis idea has been started through a community-led initiative. Please visit: http://www.sharedharvest.ca/metrovancouver
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Free Door to Door Efficiency Upgrades!
Let's have teams of semi-skilled energy and water efficiency technicians provide at-your-door, free upgrade services. It's easy to be lazy when it comes to making our homes more energy and water efficient. Sometime we just need a kick in the pants!
The City could partner with BC Hydro, Terasen Gas, the water utility, and other utilities and energy providers to establish teams of people that take energy/water efficiency information and products door-to-door. The neighbourhood visit schedules would be advertized and specific visits could be requested by citizens.
Citizens would have a choice between products or could choose not to upgrade.…
11 votesNot free, but we are creating financing tools and incentives to increase affordability of these upgrades
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Meltingpot
New immigrants should be encouraged to learn English. Non English signs should be removed. Everyone should feel warm and fuzzy going into any ethnic store. Bringing everyone on the the same page will promote respect, friendliness and our community will grow Green and Strong!!
11 votes -
Include rentable, inspected kitchens in the mandate of Parks Board's community/rec centres
Growing food is just part of the local food solution. We also need affordable, inspected kitchen spaces for canning workshops, hands-on cooking classes, community kitchens and small scale food processing.
As part of the move towards food precincts or neighbourhood food centres Vancouver needs kitchens.
The Kits and Mount Pleasant Community Centres do have kitchens, but they are not available for the public to rent. Trout Lake's new facility will have a rent-able kitchen but it is a rare case.
11 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
