EcoDensity

EcoDensity is a concept currently being discussed with the Vancouver community. In brief, EcoDensity is an acknowledgement that high quality and strategically located density can make Vancouver more sustainable, livable and affordable.

It has been illustrated as a tricycle, where the driving wheel is environmental sustainability, while the side wheels that keep it up and allow movement, are livability and affordability. The right kind of quality density in the right places can help address climate change as well as lower our ecological footprint.

Density uses less land to house more people, reducing pressure on the region to sprawl over agriculturally productive land. A range of different housing choices and prices can be provided to suit people’s diverse needs. Higher density buildings themselves enable sharing of resources such as energy and water. Dense communities support vibrant and walkable commercial areas, with residents walking and biking more, and driving less. These communities also support public transportation systems and community amenities, and can make green systems such as district energy cheaper to build. Denser, mixed-use neighbourhoods with a high quality public realm and accompanying amenities are great places to live.

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