Localities in Canada's Durham Region are implementing green building regulations to promote sustainable development and reduce resource use.

Officials in Southern Ontario's Durham Region are implementing green building standards into their development application and review processes, writes Jennifer O'Meara. The rules are designed to encourage developments that "reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build infrastructure that is resilient to future climate change and create a healthier environment for residents, according to a statement from the municipality."
Supporters say the regulations will reduce energy and water use, raise property values, and create jobs. But O'Meara writes that builders have expressed concern that the requirements will raise the cost of production and, consequently, the cost of housing for home buyers.
According to Cameron Richardson, Ajax supervisor of environmental sustainability and climate change, buildings in the region "are second only to transportation as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, so a municipal green standard for new development and redevelopment within the town would be vital in addressing the climate change emergency and achieving the targets that have been endorsed."
Green building standards are proliferating in both the U.S. and Canada as cities strive to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and investors demand sustainability as a key component of new developments. Meanwhile, housing advocates caution that eco-friendly development can also lead to "eco-gentrification:" the creation of green enclaves that ignores the needs of low-income populations and concentrates the benefits of green building in wealthy areas.
FULL STORY: Green building standards sprouting up in Durham

America’s Best New Bike Lanes
PeopleForBikes highlights some of the most exciting new bike infrastructure projects completed in 2022.

Massachusetts Zoning Reform Law Reaches First Deadline
Cities and towns had until January 31 to submit their draft plans for rezoning areas near transit stations to comply with a new state law.

Green Alleys: A New Paradigm for Stormwater Management
Rather than shuttling stormwater away from the city and into the ocean as quickly as possible, Los Angeles is now—slowly—moving toward a ‘city-as-sponge’ approach that would capture and reclaim more water to recharge crucial reservoirs.

Seattle Historic District Could Remove Street Dining
Despite the popularity of Ballard Avenue’s outdoor dining pergolas, some district board members argue the patios don’t match the district’s historic character.

South L.A. Complete Streets Project Back on Track
First proposed in 2015, the Broadway-Manchester redesign would add bike infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, trees, and other amenities.

Santa Barbara Expands ADU Program to Boost Housing
The city hopes that permitting larger ADUs and making adaptive reuse easier will help it meet its state-mandated goal of building over 8,000 new housing units by 2031.
Ascent Environmental
California Polytechnic State University
City of Albuquerque Planning Department
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Hercules
City of Fitchburg, WI
City of Culver City
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.