The Natural Step Canada teamed up with the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) to launch a forum to engage Albertan's in a discussion around what makes a sustainable neighbourhood? The initiative was recently featured in an article from CREB.com. 

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What makes a sustainable neighbourhood?

That will be the main question on the table at the Re-Imagining our Neighbourhoods forum taking place at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre Telus 111 room Oct.19.

Re-Imagining our Neighbourhoods is an initiative of The Natural Step Canada and the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) as part of AREF’s 20th Anniversary Thought Leader series.

The results of an online forum with the input of hundreds of Albertans and conversations with sustainability leaders across the country will be presented at the event.

“Members from throughout the province of Alberta have shared their thoughts and ideas,” said John Purkis, senior sustainability advisor and senior manager of The Natural Step Canada’s Sustainable Communities Program who will be speaking at the event. “So some of the things we’re seeing emerge from that include things such as increasing, for example, the density of neighbourhoods.

“Albertans indicated (density) is one thing they believe is required if we’re going to transition and move towards a more sustainable future” he added.

Purkis explained another theme resulting from the forum was the relationship between young people who live in a neighbourhood.

“There’s a need for a different type of relationship between (people living in a neighbourhood) and what I mean by that is that, we get into the routine of our daily lives and don’t often know who is living next door or a few doors down,” he said.

Walkability, or neighbourhood businesses within walking distance was also important to people who participated in the forum.

“Many communities are designed around the car so in order to go out shopping, or to see your dentist, or to meet someone at a café you need to jump in your car in order to do that,” Purkis explained. “So in part, the density issue also helps to address the walkability of a neighbourhood.”

As well as the results of the online forum, Purkis will also be touching on the new Living Building Challenge guide created by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

“The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool and certification program that addresses development at all scales,” says the challenges website https://ilbi.org. “It is comprised of seven performance areas: site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty.”

“It’s a very honest presentation of the types of communities, neighbourhoods and buildings that we need to start creating so it’s a wonderful resource,” Purkis said.

The event runs from 11:30 to 1:30 with lunch provided. Purkis said there are still some seats available. Contact Dora Bundfaard at dorab@aref.ab.ca to RSVP or with any questions.