Dockside Green: Brownfield to Sustainable Development

In order to carry out a technically and economically viable project, Dockside Green Ltd., in partnership with the City of Victoria, will undertake a series of field tests and feasibility studies relating to the sustainable redevelopment of the Dockside Lands. The Dockside Green project entails the reclamation and redevelopment of a 12-acre former industrial waterfront property on land previously owned by the City of Victoria. The development will provide light industrial, commercial, and residential spaces in 26 buildings, totalling 1.3 million square feet (ft2), to be built between 2006 and 2014. In addition, at least 10 per cent of the 995 mixed-housing units will be designated as housing for low-income households. The development will incorporate a biomass gasification system with a co-generation unit that will generate heat and electricity for the entire development; on-site treatment of all sewage with a bioreactor system that uses ultra-filter membranes complemented by activated charcoal and ultraviolet filters; on-site treatment and management of stormwater run-off; an alternative transportation strategy; and a “sustainability centre” for non-profit environmental and community groups. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating will be applied to each building and a site-wide environmental plan beyond LEED is targeted. With the implementation of energy-efficient systems and improved building design, all buildings should perform at least 50 per cent better than market buildings that meet the Canadian Model National Energy Code for Buildings. By way of the biomass gasification system and improved building design and operation, the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of the development project are estimated at 21.6 kilo-tonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year by 2010. Annual reductions in water consumption are estimated to be in the order of 11,000 cubic metres (m3) by 2007.