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Shape Vancouver 2050 gives citizens a say in the future of the downtown skyline

By Trevor Doré, Opinions Editor

hape Vancouver 2050 is an online S poll for residents of the Metro

Vancouver area. It provides the opportunity for citizens to have their say in the future outcomes of the downtown peninsula. Participants are given the opportunity to shape the downtown skyline by clicking and dragging highlighted buildings, # making them shorter or taller. An indicator at the bottom of the page indicates the effects of the changes you make. Higher buildings save gigajoules of energy, tonnes of carbon, dollars spent § on infrastructure and result in fewer automobiles and more room for an ever-increasing urban population.

The basis of the program is that every person living in the downtown core results in one less person living in the peripheral suburbs. The program provides a very simplistic format for interpreting the tradeoffs between densities and

aesthetics. Building sky-scraping towers reduces environmental impacts and provides additional housing however, blocks the view of the wonderful North Shore Mountains for which Vancouver is

famous. The program, unfortunately, does

not take into consideration more complex issues such as affordability, amenities, transportation, heritage preservation or other social issues.

Overall, the program provides an interesting platform for generating ideas and discussion about key issues. Buildings use 50 per cent of our energy. It’s all about striking a balance between

density, urban liveability, sustainability and overall cost. In the future, infrastructure will need to be able to keep up with population growth and demand for housing. The damaging effects of urban sprawl are well known and this is why we must increase our density for the future.

New _ infrastructure should incorporate the environment through green technologies and environmental 4 design. Green roofs, rain water collection, grey water treatment, solar and geothermal energy technologies must be used. Illustrating and mimicking the North Shore Mountains with our skyline would be a great way to demonstrate Vancouver’s desire and ambition to be the greenest city on the

allowing us to reap the benefits of urban densification while maintaining the wonderful view. For all of this to happen, architects, designers and city planners need to be given the freedom to think outside of the box and create a truly amazing, original and functional landscape.

Long-term functionality must also be considered. There must be long-term strategies for commercial and residential growth. Urban liveability and mixed- use infrastructure must be taken into consideration. Green spaces must be incorporated in to the overall design. After all, we do not want to end up living in a concert jungle. Heritage preservation, low-income housing and transportation are all huge issues that needed to be thoroughly evaluated and effectively incorporated.

Agree or disagree, you have the opportunity to voice your opinion. Visit www.shapevancouver.com. You have until the end of the month to submit your design and any thoughts you might have about the matter. Findings from the survey will be released in the next couple of months. They are asking for your opinion; now is your chance.

planet, giving Vancouver

a distinct and recognizable skyline worldwide. It would provide the perfect balance,

Fuming? Nodding? Tell us what you think; contact opinions@ theotherpress.ca with your opinions about this or any other article

Lessons from Copenhagen

A month after global climate talks come to an end, what lesson can we learn?

By Trevor Doré, Opinions Editor

t has been a month since the climate

talks in Copenhagen and with no real

tangible outcomes, many have been left disappointed with the overall result.

Some surmise that the whole thing was a complete disaster. Most of the coverage on Copenhagen revolved around protests and environmental groups calling international delegates to action on issues of climate change and global warming. It was made clear that world leaders were having a tough time coming to a general consensus. Although the talks did not result in a politically binding treaty, there are always lessons to be learned.

The fact that global leaders attended the talks is a positive sign and a step in the right direction. It goes to show that climate change and global warming are no longer back burner issues. Copenhagen brought global climate change to the forefront, acknowledging that it is a very serious and very real issue. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for developed countries and

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emerging countries to get together and hash out the issues. Developed countries want to maintain their comfortable lifestyles and emerging countries continually strive to reach the same level. In the pursuit of current developed world lifestyles, mistakes were made and lessons

the developed countries to lead the way in sustainable solutions. Populations in developing and emerging countries are growing exponentially in regards to size and needs. These countries have the opportunity to develop sustainably with help from the developed countries.

In Canada, we

were have a role to play. learned. ? Being a developed Developed ‘The fact that global leaders attended country with one countries the talks is a positive sign and a step in of the biggest oil must the right direction. It goes to show that _ seserves in the

work with climate change and global warming are no longer back burner issues.”

emerging countries to help prevent them from making these same mistakes.

It doesn’t have to come down to who is going to have to make the most sacrifices. Developed countries are going to have to find ways to reduce consumption and switch to more sustainable technologies; this does not necessarily entail sacrifice. Rather, this is an opportunity, an opportunity for

world, we need to step up to the plate and lead the way to a more sustainable energy platform for the future. Oil is going to be required to meet the ever- increasing demands of the emerging countries and the developed world. We are in a great place to invest and meet these aspirations in a sustainable way. There will be costs involved with bringing sustainable technologies up to date and making them main stream but let’s face it, the economic costs to plan for climate

change are far less than the cost to deal with the damage once it has been done.

The official outcome of the Copenhagen Climate talks is a three- page non-binding political declaration Copenhagen Accord. It mentions that global emissions must be reduced “so as to hold the increase in global temperature below 2°C.”

The details outlined in the Copenhagen Accord will be expanded and fulfilled next November and December in Mexico City at COP16. The overall goal as stated by president Obama is to mitigate, create transparency and provide financing. Governments must work together as well as be held accountable for their actions. Leaders plan to resume discussions again starting this May and June. Until then, work needs to be done and progress needs to be made. There may be a long way to go but nothing will ever be accomplished if we never start. If nothing else, Copenhagen has set the gears in motion.

Until Mexico City.