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Small-sized urban neighbourhoods are facing challenges to achieve their sustainability objectives due to lack of resources and their limited economies of scale. Establishing benchmarks and evaluating the sustainability indicators (SIs) for such neighbourhoods using a fixed-point scoring approach without addressing the uncertainties associated with data limitations and vagueness in expert opinion may be misleading. In this research, a set of suitable SIs covering all the sustainability aspects of small-sized neighbourhoods is developed from state-of-the-art NSA tools and expert judgment. A hierarchical-based framework is developed to link the selected SIs with the desired objectives and to the key components of a small-sized neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is divided into three key components, i.e. land use, infrastructure, and socioeconomics, to categorize inputs from experts, based on their areas of expertise. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique is used to develop an overall sustainability index for each component by aggregating selected SIs. An excel-based NSA tool is implemented on a case study of the District of Peachland, British Columbia, to evaluate framework’s pragmatic application. Output of the tool in the form of a ‘sustainability radar diagram’ and a ‘sustainability thermometer’ will be useful for decision makers striving to improve the sustainability of small-sized urban neighbourhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-conscious development is a topic which has received widespread attention. One consequence of this is the prominence of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets set at various administrative levels (i.e. global, national, provincial and local governments). Despite the global interest, current models are incapable of integrating GHG emission reduction into the urban planning. This study presents lessons learned from a climate conscious growth study conducted for a fast-growing municipality in Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada, offering a model for local government target-setting generalizable across networks of communities, leading to significant cumulative GHG reductions at global scale. The study uses the results of engineering-based research to evaluate multiple planning scenarios developed to explore options for the subject municipality’s future urban form and the associated GHG emissions for the target year 2040. Overall municipal GHG emissions for each scenario were simulated in the study considering the residential and transportation emissions projections. The findings indicated that the lowest emissions scenario was the ultra-compact growth model without area structure plan (ASP) allocations. Accordingly, it was concluded that a densified growth strategy with a higher share of multi-unit residential development is technically the best path forward in municipal growth planning to meet climate action targets. Negative public perception of increased densification in urban areas remains an obstacle to the technically best solution. Moreover, per capita basis could be a more feasible approach for GHG emissions target setting. This study’s outcomes are expected to inform public sector institutions and decision makers in setting GHG targets and climate action planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the recent past, the individual responsibility of climate change mitigation has been acknowledged by the society at large. Energy planning is pivotal in mitigating GHG emissions and adopting climate resilient strategies. However, community level energy planning has been overlooked in the urban development planning and the approval process. Many energy and emission reduction approaches are still voluntary for the developers and been pursued on ad-hoc basis. The objective of this study is to propose a systematic framework for renewable energy integration in community development. A scenario-based study was conducted for an upcoming neighbourhood in Okanagan, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Scenarios were assessed based on the life cycle cost (LCC) and GHG emission reduction. The scenarios were then compared based on costs and benefits to key stakeholders. Results of this study revealed that a higher share of renewable sources in the energy mix does not necessarily reduce LCC or GHG emissions. The benefits which can be achieved via incorporating renewables to the regional energy mix varies, depending on the existing energy sources in the mix. Therefore, regional power grid mix influences the feasibility and acceptability of RE integration at a given location. Developers should be aware of the optimal investment level which could be fully or partially recovered by premium home prices. The government should promote this practice via various incentives such as tax credits, grants etc. Findings of this research would mainly inform urban developers in renewable energy planning and local government in formulating climate action policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]