I am committed to making every neighbourhood in Vancouver-False Creek wonderful places to live and ensuring that residents enjoy a high quality, environmentally sustainable lifestyle.
I often have to explain to residents of Vancouver-False Creek that they are some of the most environmentally responsible people in Canada.
Here are a few things to consider.
Downtown residents own half as many vehicles as those in the rest of the country. Additionally, they drive one third of the km’s annually for weekday trips.
There are approximately 25,000 jobs within 1 km of a resident’s home in Vancouver-False Creek. That compares to approx. 1000 jobs 1 km from average citizens in some other regional municipalities. The results are even more dramatic when we look at jobs that are 5 km’s from a resident’s home. There are approximately 260,000 in Vancouver-False Creek and around 10% of that number in some other municipalities.
About 40% of Vancouver-False Creek workers walk to work, while 20% take public transit. Almost 80% of trips within the downtown are made by foot.
So what effects do proximity to work and modes of transportation have on our contribution to improving our environment?
The average resident of Vancouver-False Creek produces 20% of the greenhouse gases and uses 10% of the land of the average Canadian.
Residents of Vancouver-False Creek produce an average of less than 2000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The further one moves from downtown annual emissions of GHG increases sharply to over 7000 kg.
The proximity of a resident’s home to work, school, family, entertainment, shopping and health care, is the catalyst that allows them to own and drive less vehicles, produce less greenhouse gases, and use less land.
A neighbourhood with liveable density is so essential. Residents of Vancouver-False Creek are living EcoDensity.
