City of Toronto - Mayor's Tower Renewal

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Energy
Project value$1,193,000
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Building – Existing – Energy efficiency
Grant amount$346,500
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Toronto, ON
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 2,794,356
Project timeline 2008 - 2010
Project number 10207

Description

The City of Toronto will conduct a feasibility study designed to drive environmental, social, economic and cultural change in and around over 1,000 concrete apartment towers built in the 1960s and 1970s. These publicly and privately owned towers make up a significant part of the city’s affordable rental housing and currently consume 20 to 30 per cent more energy than houses. The plan builds on the results of the city’s Community Energy Plans and complementary work by integrating overlapping elements such as walking and cycling infrastructures, safety and public space improvements and energy and water efficiency. The feasibility study will analyze the apartment sites to determine current energy and water use, identify what is technically possible to change, and explore financial and behavioural barriers to action. Anticipated results of implementing the plan include a collection of actions to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent, reduce potable water use and divert stormwater from treatment (a 50 per cent reduction), divert up to 70 per cent of waste from landfill (up from the current 20 per cent in these buildings), decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to five per cent, and promote sustainable transportation to further enhance the communities.
(Project description from original funding application)

Applicant

City of Toronto, ON