LEED Neighbourhood Developments emphasize the practice of LEED on a larger scale (see video below for an example from Tampa, FL). These neighbourhoods are able to provide a connection to both natural ecosystems and human ecosystems by creating and incorporating urbanism, green building and smart growth.
The benefit of these developments is that they create communities focused on reducing green house gas emissions for an overall larger environmental goal as “buildings generate up to 35 per cent of all greenhouse gases, 35 per cent of landfill waste comes from construction and demolition activities, and 70 per cent of municipal water is consumed in and around buildings” (Canada Green Building Council, 2016).
Sources
Canada Green Building Council (September 20, 2016). Going Green with LEED. Retrieved from http://www.cagbc.org/CAGBC/LEED/GoingGreenLEED/CAGBC/Programs/LEED/Going_green_with_LEE.aspx?hkey=01b3d086-d0a4-42cf-9e61-7830d801c019
Taking an Ecosystem approach to examining the Cascadia Corridor between Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA
Source: Madrona Venture Group
Background: On Sept 20th 2016 the CBC reported on Madrona Venture Group’s suggestion that the I-5/Highway 99 link between Seattle and Vancouver ought to become a corridor for autonomous vehicles. The report, which can be found here, argues that dedicating space for self-driving cars and trucks on the busy highway would reduce congestion, offer a safer, more flexible travel experience, and cost far less than proposed high-speed rail.
On the same day, the Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference took place in Vancouver where Bill Gates and Satya Nadelaare of Microsoft attended alongside Washington Governor Jay Inslee and BC Premier Christy Clark. The purpose of the conference was to share ideas for creating a “hub of innovation” in the area. Human capital was a major point of discussion. Topics included cross border collaboration, Canada’s approach to immigration and refugees, and Microsoft’s special exemption from having to complete labour market assessments – making it much easier to hire internationally out of their Vancouver office.
Source: Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press
Learning Objectives:
Understand the arguments raised by the Madrona Venture Group in favour of an autonomous vehicle corridor. Be able to critique these with counter arguments, or raise concerns that have not yet been addressed in their initial report.
Consider the implications of a cross-border ecosystem and be able to discuss the affects that an international boundary might have on both the proposed system for self-driving cars and the existing but ever changing labour market system.
Establish a framework for discussing the Cascadia Corridor, inclusive of Seattle and Vancouver, as a very large ecosystem in the context of this course and sustainable engineering practice.
References:
Alberg, T., Mundie, C., Li, D., & Rakies, C (2016). Autonomous Vehicle Plan for the I-5 Seattle/Vancouver B.C. Corridor. Retrieved from Madrona Venture Group website: http://www.madrona.com/i-5/
CBC News. (2016, September 20). Driverless highway from Vancouver to Seattle proposed. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
Omand, G. (2016, September 20). Bill Gates says Trudeau’s approach to immigration , refugees good for business. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
The Canadian Press. (2016, September 20). Bill Gates in Vancouver for Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
