University District
Calgary, Alberta
June 9, 2009
- Rating System/Standard
- LEED v1
- Certification Level
- Platinum
- Building Type
- Mixed-use
Located in Calgary’s northwest, adjacent to the University of Calgary, sits the location for University District, a 200 acre urban community. The high density mixed-use area, with an anticipated 8.7 million square feet of development, integrates residential, office and retail amenities all within a short distance of each other. The neighbourhood will offer a range of housing types and sizes – with townhouses to apartment buildings – catering to different populations of all ages and life stages, encouraging social and economic diversity to co-exist.
The following case study was written using responses previously provided for a LEED Spotlight in November 2016, and is the result of an interview with Deanna Romney, Project Manager at West Campus Development Trust.
Case Study Team
- Project Owner
- West Campus Development Trust
- Architect & Planning Consultant
- DIALOG
- LEED Consultant
- DIALOG – Chani Joseph Ritchie
- Civil Engineer
- exp Services
- Environmental Consultant
- Golder Associates
- Transportation Consultant
- WATT Consulting
- Landscape Architect
- IBI Group
- Project Manager
- Deanna Romney – West Campus Development Trust
LEED certification signifies commitment to sustainability
West Campus Development Trust envisioned a sustainable green community and, from the beginning, planning included environmental initiatives and considerations. The sustainability targets for the project include energy efficiency, stormwater management, recycled content in infrastructure, water efficiency, water efficient landscaping and bicycle parking.
“Building green aligns with our values as an organization and there has been an uptake by the industry to build greener as well as an increased awareness and desire from home buyers to be more sustainable,” says Romney.
“We looked at different rating systems and saw right away that the plan strongly aligned with LEED for Neighbourhood Development from both a location and design perspective. By following LEED-ND it also allowed us to introduce new elements, in particular in the green building and infrastructure category, we had not yet fully explored.”
Creating an integrated community
University District is an infill site, surrounded by existing development on all four edges. Building here allows the community to incorporate housing, employment and services within its boundaries, while also ensuring an integration of strong connections with adjacent communities and the University of Calgary.
“Our LEED-ND Platinum certification is a commitment to an expanded view of quality and well-being that sets a tone for our community. It sets a standard for the environment as well as a quality of wellness that is done in the best interest for serving the community’s needs”, says Romney.
The provision of these amenities within easy reach for future residents, workers and visitors allows a reduction in car trips, in and around the area, by providing the ability to use alternative transportation modes such as walking, cycling and transit.
Well-being at the heart of University District
West Campus Development Trust is working to create a community that will deliver well-being benefits for residents, employees and visitors by providing walkable streets, easy access to amenities, pathways for cycling, as well as parks and playgrounds.
“We want people to choose University District and live here for the environment, the experience and lifestyle. We want to catalyze a larger market transformation and social change to shift the primary focus to people, places, human connections and overall well-being. The value is fostering better places to live for the long-term.”
The project team also understands that time is an important commodity, and to live in a community with easy access to daily services and unique places to spend leisure time is a major benefit. “The provision of a complete, connected community such as University District provides this luxury – and this lifestyle is also more sustainable.”
Development of University District is anticipated to have a 15 to 20 year build out.
LEED SCORE CARD
| Certification Level | Platinum |
| Rating System | LEED ND: Plan v3 – LEED 2009 |
| Total Points earned | 80 |
| Smart Location and Linkage | 21 out of 27 |
| Neighborhood Pattern and Design | 37 out of 44 |
| Green Infrastructure and Buildings | 14 out of 29 |
| Innovation in Operations | 4 out of 6 |
| Regional Priority | 4 out of 4 |