News
July 27, 2010
City of Burnaby Approves Green Zoning for UniverCity
Last night Burnaby City Council approved new zoning for Phase 3 of UniverCity, the model sustainable community being developed adjacent to Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain. This new zoning creates 10 new building sites totalling 1.1 million square feet of new residential development, as part of North America’s first comprehensive green zoning bylaw.
Imbedded in the zoning bylaw is a comprehensive set of enforceable requirements for each site that will see all new development at UniverCity built to be at least 30 per cent more energy efficient than a conventionally constructed building. These new facilities must also manage all storm water on site, and utilize interior finishings that are free of volatile organic compounds and other chemicals that impact indoor air quality.
Download the release (PDF).
July 21, 2010
SFU Community Trust Launches Canada's Most Sustainable Building
This afternoon UniverCity, the innovative community adjacent to Simon Fraser University, is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for what will be Canada’s greenest building. It aims to be the first building in the country to meet the Living Building Challenge—a new sustainable building standard launched by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, which is the most advanced green building rating system in the world.
To meet the challenge the building will:
· generate more energy annually than it uses
· recycle or harvest from rainwater more water than it uses
· be free of toxic materials
· obtain the majority of its materials from within a 400 kilometre radius, and
· will cost less to construct than a conventional childcare facility
Download the release (PDF).
March 12, 2010
New Origin Project by Porte Development First to Follow UniverCity's New Green Building Bylaw
SFU Community Trust is proud to announce its partnership with Porte Development in a new residential project at UniverCity on Burnaby Mountain.
Porte’s project—named Origin—will be the first in UniverCity’s third phase and involve significant enhancements in green building innovation. New development at UniverCity is now subject to one of North America’s first sustainable zoning bylaws. These mandatory bylaws were created in association with the development community and the City of Burnaby to ensure new buildings are at least 30 percent more efficient than traditional projects while also being cost effective for private developers. Download the release (PDF).
January 14, 2010
Nesters Markets Open 23,000 Sq. Ft. Grocery Store at UniverCity
Nesters Market will open its 10th location at UniverCity, the award winning sustainable community on Thursday, January 14th at noon.
The UniverCity store is 23,000 square feet of the best that Nesters Market has to offer including a full selection of groceries, meats and produce at very competitive prices. Also available are unique products and specialty services that make Nesters Markets so popular in the communities in which they live and operate, including organic and natural, imported and top-quality fresh foods; a full-service seafood counter; a deli-bistro featuring hand cut sandwiches, take-home lunches and dinners; and a bakery. Opening soon will be a full-service Pharmacy and Postal Office. Download the release (PDF).
April 24, 2009
UniverCity Honoured With ULI Award for Excellence
UniverCity, the sustainable community being developed on Burnaby Mountain, was honoured on Friday as a winner of the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Awards for Excellence: The Americas competition.
Created in 1979, the ULI Awards for Excellence are the Institute’s most prestigious awards program. Based on ULI’s guiding principles, they are meant to recognize best practice in land use and development. The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability. Download news release (PDF).
