Green Infrastructure on Vancouver Island: City of Langford turns the sustainability corner

 

Rainwater Management Experience is a Case Study Application of How to "Learn by Doing"

"Langford is a burgeoning Victoria suburb in which the development spectrum is famously broad, from big box stores to ''signature'' golf courses. It may, sometime soon, generate another reputation: for sustainable development," wrote Suzanne Morphet in a feature article published in the Vancouver Sun newspaper on July 4, 2009.

The 6000-home Westhills Green Community in the City of Langford is British Columbia's largest LEED-Neighbourhood Development pilot project. The project integrates the principles of smart growth, new urbanism and green buildings into a system for neighbourhood design. The project also features heat recovery from wastewater and “purple pipes” for a non-potable water system.

"A corporate culture that is willing to accept and then manage risk with regards to infrastructure standards can open the door to creativity, innovation – and its rewards," states John Manson, City Engineer. "Langford has a tradition of adapting quickly to new information and changing circumstances." Langford was an early proponent of rainwater infiltration. To view two YouTube videos of John Manson explaining the City's creative, problem-solving approach and lessons learned, respectively, click on City of Langford subdivision bylaw requires 100% infiltration to achieve rainwater management objectives

To learn more about the Westhills Green Community, click on new development that will eventually number 6000 homes will be based on affordable, and green, standards.