l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Environmental Services I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Toronto, Ontario

What? • Seven depots across City of Toronto accept household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-offs;

open 6 days/week at varying hours

• Toronto has recently began offering electronic waste (EW) collection with regular garbage

pickup

• “Community Environment Days” are held roughly 30 days per year, where temporary HHW

and EW drop-off depots are set up in locations around the city

Why? • Only one existing HHW drop-off centre in Kingston; open 1-2 days/week during regular

business hours

• Making HHW and EW collection more accessible and attractive to residents could greatly

improve waste diversion rates

How? • Toronto’s Target 70 program was approved in 2007 with the goal of diverting 70% of waste

from landfills; this encourages the implementation of new initiatives

• Due to the costs associated with expanding HHW and EW diversion programs, Kingston

could begin with small expansions through events similar to Toronto’s “Community

Environment Days”

• Collections centers should occasionally be open outside of regular business hours to

ensure that all residents are able to dispose of waste conveniently and appropriately

Implementation short-term medium long-term

These international best practices emphasize three key areas in municipal environmental management and planning. We must reduce landfill waste and ensure that waste diversion processes meet their full potential. Effort must be made to promote the use of clean energy, minimize dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce carbon emissions. As a waterfront city, it is critical that the quality of Kingston’s water systems is preserved and protected. Public awareness and citizen engagement in the sustainable management of waste, water, and energy promote a healthy, resilient, and self-sufficient community.

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Integrated Community Energy Solutions North Vancouver, British Columbia

What? • Holistic community-wide management of energy consumption integrating multiple

sectors

• ICES concepts include clean energy, low-impact building design, transportation

demand management, and compact, mixed-use development

• Detailed inventory of community energy use, sets reduction targets through 2050,

and outlines initiatives that will help meet these targets

• Facilitates creation of a district energy system, brownfield remediation projects, and

new development standards

Why? • ICES projects promote the evaluation of new developments by their energy

consumption

• Provide a streamlined organization of emissions reduction initiatives and monitor their

impacts

• Projected that if all Canadian communities implement ICES, national emissions could

be reduced by 12% by 2050

How? • Through energy mapping or a detailed inventory of community-wide energy use and

emissions

• Setting short-term and long-term reduction targets

• Initiatives are outlined in a Community Energy Plan (CEP) with descriptions of

implementation methods, expected costs, and sources of funding

• Communication and collaboration among sectors, jurisdictions, and stakeholders

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Pervious Pavement Chicago, Illinois, USA

What? • Green Alley program aims to replace 1900 miles of public alleys with pervious

materials for stormwater management

• Uses a combination of pervious asphalt and concrete typically costing 10-15% more

than traditional pavement

• Pavements contain pores or openings that allow water to percolate through subsoil

Why? • Kingston faces unique challenges in stormwater management: old infrastructure with

combined sewers and a high proportion of impervious surfaces forcing rainwater to

carry pollutants directly into storm drains and water bodies

• Pervious pavements reduce surface runoff, flooding, overloading of treatment plants,

and land use demands of retention basin development; replenish groundwater,

mitigate pollutants, minimize irrigation demands, reduce automobile hydroplaning

accidents, and lessen ice build-up

How? • City Council mandates that all alley retrofits must use green materials

• Kingston could incorporate permeable pavement into future infrastructure projects

• New sidewalks could be constructed with permeable materials

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Environmental Services I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Bui lt Environment I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

These international best practices address the design, construction, management, and use of built form including housing, industry, and streetscapes. Provisions for the built environment that establish density, accessibility, and other land use planning targets can greatly affect a community’s livability. Sustainable developments take into consideration the life cycle, environmental, and functional quality of built form. By implementing these initiatives, Kingston can encourage a healthy, functional, accessible, and attractive built environment.

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Smart Growth Development Plan

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

What? Long-term growth and development strategy that integrates sustainable

planning and development principles

Divided into 5 main areas: Public Involvement, Land Use and Urban Design,

Transportation, Energy and the Environment, and Economic Development

Why? Promotes the construction of energy-efficient buildings, active

transportation, residential density, mixed-use developments, and heritage

preservation

Provides incentives for downtown development

Provides a holistic approach to understanding the growth and development

issues a municipality is facing and how they can be transformed into

improving quality of life, fiscal health, and the environment

How? Silo-busting: Multiple departments working together will afford the plan

higher potential for success

Extensive Public Consultation: questionnaire surveys, focus groups,

telephone surveys, open houses, and a community design charrette were

all used to develop Yellowknife`s Plan and promoted stakeholder inclusion

Smart Growth Development Plan Committee: advises the City regarding

issues such as the formulation of policies, concepts, and strategies as they

relate to long-term growth and development

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Bui lt Environment I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Making Secondary Suites Easier Victoria, British Columbia

What? Private, self-contained units within existing dwellings that increase affordable rental

housing and density in urban, suburban, and rural areas

Allow seniors to ‘age in place’ and provide a favourable option for families who want

elderly relatives close by; makes homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers

Why? One of the most cost-effective ways for municipalities to provide affordable rental housing

In Kingston, the rental vacancy rates are very low and affordable housing stock is not

readily available

How? Bill 140: all municipalities in Ontario are required to enact policies that allow secondary

suites in residential houses; it is within the City’s control to foster the best possible

conditions for the creation of secondary suites

New Comprehensive Zoning By-Law: eliminate parking requirements, allow units across

City regardless of age of dwellings, and keep unit size requirements flexible

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Flex Housing

London, Ontario

What? Homes are easily and economically reconfigured to match changing needs of homeowners

Pre-wiring and proper placement of load-bearing walls and plumbing enables homeowners

to easily add and remove secondary suites, alter interior room layouts, and integrate mobility

assistance options

Why? Secondary suites provide rental income with the flexibility to convert to a single-family home

Seniors and persons with mobility constraints can age in place by reconfiguring homes so

most dwelling needs are located on the main floor

How? Amend policies and by-laws to allow secondary suites in new and existing developments

Educate developers and the general public through presentations by the CMHC, architects,

and builders to convey the benefits and expertise required to construct Flex Housing

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Sustainable Streetlights

What? Make use of the best light technology available to reduce energy consumption and

minimize ecological impacts of outdoor lighting

Why? Street-lighting networks can promote safe transportation for residents including those with

vision problems as they walk, cycle or use motorized vehicles

Streetlights account for a significant portion of any city’s greenhouse gas emissions

How? Follow guidelines presented by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America’s (IES) model lighting ordinance, which

provides a guide for environmentally-responsible outdoor lighting

Retrofit Kingston’s streetlights with LED fixtures; choose solar-powered LED streetlights

for new installations

Create an ‘Urban Sky Park’ in Kingston according to the guidelines of the Royal

Astronomical Association of Canada

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

C o m m u n i t y P r o g r a m s & I n i t i a t i v e s

I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

This focus area considers initiatives related to community animation, collaboration, and capacity building. It explores programs to improve citizen engagement in sustainability and healthy communities and the interconnection of different population demographics in achieving these goals. These international best practices can help to foster vibrancy, livability, social inclusion, and sustainability in Kingston. Programming public spaces and encouraging collaboration between a municipality and its residents can produce a sense of community ownership through citizen engagement and the understanding that cities are for people.

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Sustainability Screening Reports (SSR) Canmore, Alberta

What? • An approvals process where developers explain the net environmental, social,

and economic benefits of their projects

• Consists of an application form, a sustainability checklist which directs

priorities, and an expanded explanation of a development’s impacts

Why? • Process encourages developers to consider innovative ways that their projects

can contribute to sustainability goals

• Has potential to create concrete results and engage both the public and

developers in the sustainability conversation

• Is a very flexible tool that can be used to promote innovation in any area

prioritized by a municipality

How? • Developers submit the SSR to City Council with allotted time for questions and

public comment

• Projects are either approved or denied based on considerations of

sustainability; Council may ask for changes to be made before the

development can go ahead

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

C o m m u n i t y P r o g r a m s & I n i t i a t i v e s

I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Social Media in Municipalities Edmonton, Alberta

What? • Social media is increasingly being used by municipal institutions to communicate more

effectively and instantly share information with a wide network of people

• Blogs and photosharing sites can generate excitement for events, activities, and services

• Many organizations have leveraged these tools as marketing devices, attracting numerous

‘followers’ or ‘friends’ to communicate with messages sent directly to users

Why? • Effective use of social media has led to increased conversation, engagement in issues, links

to richer content and media, increased trust and ‘humanization’ of the organization,

increased ability to gauge support for ideas and greater overall transparency

• Turnouts to Council meetings, voting, and public events have increased

How? • Create a Social Media Advisory Committee (SMAC) to establish guidelines for using social

media, monitor site commentary, and act as a centralized resource for all City employees

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Ciclovia Bogotá, Columbia

What? • Ciclovia originated with the ‘open streets’ concept in the late 1970s

• Weekly road closures allow streets to become paved parks where people can

participate in physical activities including walking, cycling, and dancing

Why? • Festivals provide time and space for physical activity and lay the foundation for

community building and the formation of social connections

• Invite the community to participate in healthy activities while raising awareness of the

benefits of active transportation modes

How? • Increase the frequency of the Princess St. Promenade and change its focus to the

promotion of active transportation and healthy living initiatives while allowing local

businesses to benefit from increased pedestrian activity

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Waterfront Programming: Urban Beach Paris, France; San Diego, California, USA; Toronto, Ontario

What? • Brings the water into the fabric of the city and creates an active, vibrant amenity space

• Trend towards quick and temporary public spaces and events to celebrate city waterfronts

Why? • Allows residents who cannot escape the heat of the city to take a vacation close to home

• Promotes environmental learning by strengthening residents’ relationships to water bodies

and their stewardship

• Would bring business to Kingston’s downtown and encourage use of waterfront pathways

and parks system

How? • Quick and inexpensive use of temporary structures and landscaping features

• Bring vibrancy to the waterfront through the promotion of public space and organized

activities rather than through more expensive urban design processes

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Transportat ion I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

Enabling people to move freely through a city without compromising the air quality, natural environment, and public spaces is a significant challenge for any community. Many of today’s urban theorists argue that striking a balance between transport infrastructure and place-making should be at the forefront for all competitive cities. Kingston has unique potential to embrace sustainable modes of transportation due to its physical size, compact downtown, and population largely composed of university students, visiting tourists, active seniors, and urban professionals. These international best practices aim to reduce car travel, promote engagement in active transportation, and minimize environmental degradation.

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Cycling Public Awareness & Incentives Campaign

Portland, Oregon, USA

What? Services: cater to the needs of cyclists on the road and increase safety and

convenience for potential and current riders

Behaviour Change: testing, adoption, and expansion of programs aimed at promoting

long-term changes in transportation habits

Awareness: programs and activities that inform residents how to bike safely,

comfortably, and conveniently; promote roadsharing and driver awareness

Incentives: focused on commuting and energy efficiency

Why? Reduces carbon emissions by replacing vehicle trips under 5 km which have the

highest emission rates; combats rising obesity rates

General reclamation of the public right-of-way as an equitable space for multiple users

Provides residents of varying demographics with a more equitable, accessible, and

affordable transportation option

How? Allocate municipal resources to strengthen efforts by existing local organizations

Campaign can educate residents on the proper use of existing and forthcoming

bicycling infrastructure to ensure its maximized use and validate Kingston’s investment

Can compel residents to change their transportation behaviour

Availability of funding will significantly affect the quality and extent of the Campaign

Implementation short-term medium long-term

sustainable k i n g s t o n

Transportat ion I n t e r n a t i o n a l B e s t P r a c t i c e s

Q u e e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y S U R P P r o j e c t T e a m

l i v a b i l i t y • i n t e g r a t i o n • a d a p t a t i o n • e q u i t y r e s i l i e n c e • v i b r a n c y • s e n s e o f p l a c e

Community Access Bicycles (CAB)

Kitchener, Ontario

What? Small scale community-based bike share program: 36 bicycles located at 7 downtown

stations available to members for 24 hour periods

Membership is an affordable $15/year

Why? Promotes active transportation and can improve physical health of users

Economically inclusive with great potential for expansion

Environmentally-friendly alternative to driving for short trips

How? Funding: may need a grant similar to the Local Environmental Action Fund

Policy Champion: Could begin as a Town-Gown initiative in Kingston: a pilot program

moving Queen’s students from downtown to Main and West campuses

Publicity/Awareness: handing out pamphlets on campuses; press release to local

media; mass e-mails through the Queen’s server

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Residential Parking System Edmonton, Alberta

What? Attempts to curb on-street parking demand in high-traffic neighbourhoods

Demands that all vehicles parked on street have a permit

Only neighbourhood residents with permits may park their cars on the road

Free for all participants

Why? Encourages the use of public transit and active transportation

Discourages driving personal motor vehicles due to a lack of parking spots

Enhances the safety of neighbourhoods

How? Expand pilot program in Sydenham District (King, West, Clergy, William Streets)

to include the Queen’s University “student ghetto” where parking is at a premium

Cost with respect to feasibility would be low, as enforcement is already in place

Implementation short-term medium long-term

Pedestrianization of McMaster University Campus Hamilton, Ontario

What? Pedestrianized campus with exceptions for public transit, service, and emergency

vehicles

Connected network of pathways for cyclists and pedestrians

Why? Improves physical and mental health of students, staff, and faculty

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Increases safety on campus and reduces potential for pedestrian-vehicle conflicts

99% of students and 70% of employees commute to Queen’s by means other than

single occupancy vehicles

How? Seek planning, design, traffic, environmental, and infrastructure consultants

Purchase streets within boundaries of Albert, Barrie, Union, and Stuart Streets

Cooperation between key stakeholders: City of Kingston and Queen’s University

Implementation short-term medium long-term