Climate change is a complex and multifaceted issue. And like most complicated problems, there are no simple answers or easy solutions.
While the path to achieving sustainability may not be clear, we know that cities will play a critical role in determining our planet’s future. With over two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from urban centres, a future where climate change is no longer a threat will depend on cities taking action today.
We need to find a new way to approach sustainability and a new way to live. We know where we need to go. What we don’t know is how to get there.
Even without clear direction on how to achieve lasting sustainability, there are steps we can take now. The most important thing we need to do today to create a world where climate change is no longer a threat is to set bold goals — and then strive to surpass them.
Setting bold goals will create an opportunity for us to re-imagine how we design our urban environments. It will provide us the opportunity to consider what people will need in the future, and to take action to support that vision. It will allow us to be innovative and to adapt our plans as outside influences and technologies change.
Edmonton has set a bold goal. We have envisioned redeveloping 535 acres of land in the heart of the city into a sustainable community – the Blatchford Redevelopment Project. Blatchford will be one of the largest sustainable redevelopment projects in North America and will be home for up to 30,000 residents who will enjoy a walkable, transit-friendly and ecologically-friendly community.
Blatchford will empower its residents to pursue a range of sustainable lifestyle choices to reduce their consumption levels. It will be environmentally friendly by constructing green buildings that use less heat, power and water. It will reduce its ecological footprint by using renewable energy and by being a carbon neutral development. It will help to transform Edmonton’s urban form now and well into the future.
Blatchford will show how one step towards sustainability can shape the direction of our future.
Achieving these goals will require significant innovation and a willingness to take risks.
But by setting this bold goal, Blatchford will demonstrate what a sustainable community will look like and will serve as a benchmark for future developments.
For more information on the Blatchford Redevelopment Project, visit edmonton.ca/blatchford.
Original Blog Post: https://wwf.ca/stories/earth-hour-tour-smart-sustainable-development-redevelopment/