As part of its ‘Greenest City Initiative,’ the City is undertaking an extensive review of its regulatory framework to determine how to improve the energy performance of new and existing buildings. This includes a proposed update of Part 10 of the Vancouver Building By-Law – the city’s building code – that would introduce and measure energy performance in the same way that seismic and life safety concerns are addressed. Heritage Vancouver supports the intention of this Initiative, but not at the expense of the character of our heritage buildings. We have been working within this process to address concerns about how heritage buildings can be most effectively upgraded to conserve energy and attain goals of sustainability, while still retaining their heritage integrity. There are many methods of alternative compliance for heritage buildings, and – significantly – the provincial Energy Efficiency Act excludes buildings that are listed on a Heritage Register. Our position is stated in the following letter that was submitted to Mayor and Council.
Please click for the full letter
Posted by: Heritage Vancouver Society
Date: August 11, 2010