Politics of Architecture and Urban Design

Posted by Andree Iffrig Oct 3, 2008

Some people still believe climate change is not man-made. There are candidates in both federal elections underway in North America who maintain that the earth is just experiencing a cycle of warming. Wait awhile, they seem to be saying, and everything will return to normal.

Obfuscating about the issue is dangerous, not least because it delays action to reverse climate change. With buildings in urban areas contributing a disproportionate share of CO2 emissions, municipal jurisdictions become a first line of offence in dealing with global warming.

Cities have become engines of growth in countries world-wide. How cities grow is therefore critical to the wellbeing of the environment. Some cities have taken the lead in introducing sustainability initiatives. Their efforts are models of how urban development can improve water and air quality, contribute to wildlife habitat, and diminish carbon footprint.

Some of these initiatives in Europe are documented in Chris Turner’s book, The Geography of Hope. Closer to home, there are some unsung heroes at the municipal level who deserve attention.

For the redevelopment of Southeast False Creek in Vancouver, the city introduced sustainability guidelines. Millennium Water, the first phase of development at the site will have 1100 residential units. It will serve in the near term as interim housing for 2800 athletes attending the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010.

Roger Bayley of Merrick Architecture, design manager for the Millennium Water project, is an enthusiast about sustainable design. He notes the site’s development encourages alternative energy strategies and improves the quality of life for residents. By incorporating sustainability measures at the outset, buildings will achieve LEED certification for only a few dollars extra per square foot.

If we cannot agree on the causes of climate change, then many cities will continue to build in conventional ways, with ever-greater carbon footprints. More cities need to follow the lead of Vancouver in planning for a sustainable future.