Municipal Tools for Catalyzing Net-Zero Energy Development

Cities across Canada are looking for developers and builders to design and construct in “greener” and more “sustainable” ways, yet this is a complex process for municipalities and developers alike. Even with all of the best technologies and financial tools, innovative projects often struggle with the constraints of building codes and development approvals requirements. These challenges prevent the success of sustainable development ideas. This project will focus on the roles that the municipality can play in helping such projects to be feasible. This project involves the cities of London and Kingston, and will involve shadow-permitting discussions, where each participating municipality will contribute their understanding of what would be required in order for them to issue construction approvals for the hypothetical projects we are studying. These discussions will be used to identify policy challenges and, as much as possible, proactive means by which those challenges may be resolved and net zero energy neighbourhoods achieved.

Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Parker

Student:

Partner:

S2E Technologies Inc;University of Waterloo

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure; Finance and Insurance; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: