Sustainable Infrastructure - Portland Design Project

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Civ 577 – Sustainable Infrastructure
Portlands Design Project
Assignment 1




Submitted by:
Shuliang(Peter) Sun
996007440
Jan 30, 2013
Q1.1: Waterfront Toronto Objectives
The objectives for Waterfront Toronto in developing the Port Lands area are to reclaim the
contaminated “brown field” and incorporate it into Toronto Waterfront area revitalization plan.
Portland was formerly a marsh land and delta of Don River in Toronto. Portland was developed
in 1880s for industrial, residential, and recreational uses by filling in land with animal feces and
other waste products which resulted in the pollution of the area. After World War I the land was
used for heavy industrial activities. The land deteriorated and became increasingly abandoned.
By 2003, Portland had become 60% vacant.

Table 1. Summary of sustainable targets of TWRC sustainability framework [2]
Sector Objective(s) Actions & Target(s)
Energy High levels of energy
efficiency
- A1. 60% more energy efficient than
Canada’s Model National Energy Code for
Buildings (MNECB)
Increase % of Energy
from renewable sources
- A4. Purchase 80% electricity from low
impact renewable energy by 2020.
Reductions in per capita
greenhouse gas
emissions
- A5. 50% of businesses engaged in tracking
carbon offsets
- A6. 40% less CO2 emission/capita by 2025
- 0 tonne CO2 emission/capita (For this
course
Transportation Minimize car use

- C1. Individual waterfront resident driving
max 1300km/capita/year
- C2. All residences without 350m of LRT,
streetcar or bus stop

Increase walking cycling
and public transit use
- C3. One bike storage per 100m^2
residential space
- C4. 6 bike parking per 1000m^2
commercial space and showers
- C5. 75% of children living and attending
school on-site use alternatives to
cars/buses
Sustainable
Buildings
High-performance
sustainable building
systems
D1. All new buildings designed conform to
LEED platinum.
Air Quality Reduce concentrations
of ground level ozone
- E1. All residential units within 350m of
basic shopping needs and personal servies
Purify air and add
beauty and comfort on-
site
- E2. 30-35% coverage of site with trees
Human
Communities
Waterfront communities
that attract people year
round
- F1. 25% waterfront area devoted to new
and improved parks and open spaces (over
200 hectares)
- F2. At least 8 waterfront beaches meeting
blue flag certification.
A place to live for
people from all walks of
life throughout life cycle
- F3. 25% new residences targeted for
affordable housing (5% low end).
Appropriate mix of
residential and
commercial space
- F4. At least 25% of space is commercial
space
A peaceful and relaxing
environment
- F5. Ambient noise levels of 45 DB (A) in
residential areas
- Minimize light contamination
Natural
Heritage
Extensive habitat
improvement
- H1. Restore terrestrial habitats in
accordance with priorities identified in
TRCA’s TNHSS.
- H2. Apply habitat restoration techniques in
accordance with the Habitat plan set out in
accordance with TRCA’s TWRHS.
Strengthen native
biodiversity
- H3. 80% of all restoration plantings on
publically owned gardens and landscape
areas are native of S. ON. 20% non-
invasive species
Water Reduce use of potable
water
- I1.Set target for per capita consumption of
potable water at 150L/person/day
residential; 25L/person/day commercial

Materials and
Waste
Water reduction - J1. Disposal targets of 200kg/person/year
Re-use and recycling - J2. 75% of lumber from sustainable
plantations or recycled sources
- J3. 25% building materials from recycled
or renewable sources.
On site containment of
waste
- J4. Zero transport of leaves and organic
waste from the Toronto waterfront

With regards to physical infrastructure the most impactful areas are Energy, Transportation, and
Buildings. In order to provide clean energy for the Portland Area many renewable technologies
need to be integrated into the fabric of the infrastructure. Buildings need to be oriented such that
their tilted surface faces south for maximum solar voltaic exposure to the sun. Off-shore wind
turbines need be installed where excess energy produced by them can be stored in energy storage
devices like underwater compressed air storage. Infrastructure need to be designed to use power
generated on site instead of using traditional distributed power transmission over long distances.
Transportation also has a big impact on physical infrastructure because in Portland will rely
heavily on public transportation and bicycles. This means breaking away from traditional
transportation methods. Instead of grid patterned roads primarily designed for gasoline vehicles
sustainable transportation requires public transit like Electric Bus/Light Rail Transit (LRT).
These modes need to be integrated into the overall layout of Port-lands. Bikes also play a crucial
role in moving people as well. Building plans and design of roadways need to accommodate
bikes by install bike rakes and bike lanes.

Buildings will have an enormous impact because many of the city infrastructures need to
accommodate the density and uses of buildings. Buildings also need to be designed for versatile
multi use purposes because sustainable infrastructure requires mixed clusters of services to
provide its residences.

Q.2. Vision
I personally envision Port-lands redevelopment as a large scale sustainable urban design project
that provides residence, recreation, and business to the downtown core while strengthening the
identity of Toronto as a world class city focused on sustainability and raising the value to nearby
property.
In terms of neighborhood design an inspiration would be Toronto resident Jane Jacobs. In
particular I enjoy her book Life and Death of North American Cities (1961) advocating four
principles to neighborhood design. The four principles are: 1. Neighborhoods should have
several functions: There will be people on the streets at all hours of the day. 2. Short building
blocks and intricate street structure: pedestrians can take different routes and discover new
things (good for tourism). 3. Variation in residential area: buildings varying in age,
maintenance, and function. 4. Concentration of people in one place: compact city
neighborhoods where various household and individuals live together create critical mass
necessary to maintain equally varied supply of local facilities.

In addition to a well thought out neighborhood design other important parts of a sustainable
design include integration of renewable energy sources for the smart grid. South facing roofs
and windows that maximize solar gain should be incorporated. Retrofit of buildings should be
preferred over new construction to preserve cultural identity of Port-lands and save material.

External sources of inspiration for this design project are Xi Tian Di in Shanghai, Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao, and Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto.

Xi Tian Di is an example of successful commercial redevelopment of an old residential area but
rather than hiding the old architecture it flaunts it and makes it one of its unique ‘cultural’ assets.
Xi Tian Di is situated at the heart of downtown Shanghai. The buildings were of typical
“Shikumen” architecture style with traditional southern Chinese residential space layouts of
courtyard buildings but in western terrace-house form [4]. In 2000 Xi Tian Di’s three ha of
residential area was converted into one of the most success commercial districts in Shanghai [4].
The high density business and residential areas surrounding Xi Tian Di experienced significant
increase in value due to the redevelopment [4].

Image 1. Old “Shikumen” with residents Image 2. Xi Tian Di after renovation
Image source (www.cultural-china.com and mylife-myfun.blogspot.com )

Another source of inspiration is from the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (1976) because it is an
example of how public institutions with their spaces that focus on “high” culture can give
identity to a progressive city, attract visitors/investment, encourage civic pride and welcome
innovative individuals. Research by Plaza, B (2006) showed that the Guggenheim Museum
significantly raised the amount of visitors to the industrial city of Bilbao from less than 100
thousand per year pre construction to over 250 thousand per year after [5]. This brought
significant economic benefits and employment to the service industry. More importantly, it
transformed Bilbao’s identity from a “grey, cold and unfriendly industrial city” [5].


Figure 1. Overnight stays of foreign visitors in the
Basque Country (1976-2004). FONSsa — overnight
stays of foreign visitors) [5]





The third source of inspiration comes from Evergreen Brick Works located in Toronto. The
former brick factory was converted in 2002 into Canada’s first large-scale community
environmental center [6]. The redevelopment of Evergreen parallel’s Portland’s redevelopment
because both places were former industrial brownfields striving to become exemplars of
sustainable redevelopment. Evergreen’s success in industrial building heritage preservation and
sustainable development gives confidence and guidance to Portland’s development success.

Image 3. Evergreen before transformation Image 4. Evergreen after redevelopment
Images source (http://ebw.evergreen.ca/about/transformation)



Q.3. Land-Use
Table 2. Residential land use distribution

Single Family Apartment
Precinct Units detached rowhouses 4-8 stories
9-13
stories
14 and
above
Quays 5,575 1,000 1,200 2,375 1,000

Central 3,311 0 500 500 1,311 1,000
Film Studio 707 0 0 0 107 600
McCleary 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lake Shore East 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ship Channel SW 3,696 1,000 2,200 496 0 0
Ship Channel SE 1,345 400 600 345 0 0
Sustainability
Centre 0 0 0 0 0 0
Turning Basin 0 0 0 0 0 0
Port 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 14,634 2,400 4,500 3,716 2,418 1,600
percentage 100 16 31 25 17 11

Table 3. Population and density
Average population in Toronto: 2.8 (2006 Census) [7]
Precinct Units
Projected
population
land area
(ha)
Residential population
density (person/hectare)
Quays 5,575 15,610 40 390
Central 3,311 9,271 40 232
Film Studio 707 1,980 60 33
McCleary 0 0 40 0
Lake Shore East 0 0 40 0
Ship Channel SW 3,696 10,349 40 259
Ship Channel SE 1,345 3,766 20 188
Sustainability
Centre 0 0 40 0
Turning Basin 0 0 40 0
Port 0 0 40 0
Totals 14,634 40,975 400[2]

Table 4. Non Residential Floor Area distribution

Total NRGF
A m^2
Commercial office buildings Mixed Use
Precinct independent mall
4-12
stoies
13 stories
and above detached cluster
Quays 55,700 10,000 15,000 5,000 0 10,000 15,700
Central 74,500 10,000 15,000 10,000 9,500 15,000 15,000
Film Studio 148,400 5,000 10,000 98,400 0 15,000 20,000
McCleary 119,200 8,000 10,000 10,000 51,200 10,000 30,000
Lake Shore
East 328,400 5,000 15,000 50,000 198,400 15,000 45,000
Ship Channel
SW 36,900 5,000 10,000 6,900 0 5,000 10,000
Ship Channel
SE 121,000 10,000 15,000 56,000 0 15,000 25,000
Sustainabilit
y Centre 79,300 10,000 15,000 19,300 0 15,000 20,000
Turning
Basin 100,400 10,000 15,000 40,400 0 15,000 20,000
Port 119,000 10,000 15,000 54,000 0 15,000 25,000
Totals 1,182,800 83,000 135,000
350,00
0 259,100 130,000
225,70
0
percentage 100 7 11 30 22 11 19

Q.4. Preliminary Infrastructure Plan
Image 5. Preliminary plan view of Port- lands transportation











Port-lands transportation will attempt to utilize public transit and bicycles to the maximum extent
possible. However, during the winter months biking is impractical and sometimes cars are
needed therefore roads will connect from Portland to Lake Shore Boulevard East via Cherry
street, Don Roadway, and Leslie street.
There will also be a light rail transit that will loop around Portland which will be connected to
Union Station downtown. Because Union Station is the central transportation node for
downtown therefore being connected to it means being connected to the downtown core. This
will greatly transform Portland because there will be a significant increase of visitors to Portland
and residence going to downtown from Portland. The train leaving Union Station will travel
along the train tracks west bound until Cherry Street where the train will leave the train tracks
and be transformed into Light Rail with its dedicated lane. The photo below demonstrates the
route taken.







Image 6. Train leaving Union Station and arriving at Portland

The accessibility of Toronto Port and SW corner will be achieved via light rail and roads that
will run along a bridge. LRT stops and bus stops will be present in Toronto Port and SW corner
to transport the people. Because the road way for vehicles will also be able to accommodate
bikes therefore cyclers will also have access to these areas as well.
Q.5. Precinct Plan
New Urbanism design seeks to bring people of all economic incomes and backgrounds together
in a walking community with mixed use housing, public transportation and walkable
neighborhood. The walkable neighborhood would have mixed use housing attracting a diverse
group of people. It would be well suited for Portland because it will be a new neighborhood in
need of people from all walks of life. TWRC’s sustainability frame work also encourages mixed
use housing with its F3. Target being: 25% new residences targeted for affordable housing (5%
low end). Although New Urbanism has the best of intentions but its design doesn’t always
convey its intentions. Talen, E (2010) research on New Urbanism communities concluded they
are “widely perceived as being unaffordable to people of modest means.” The results of research
also confirm to this sentiment as well.

The Fused Grid design cross weaves grid pattern streets layout such as Manhattan with suburban
cu-de-sac [9]. It is a relatively new concept that has since been adopted by Stratford, ON [10]. It
has the easy to navigate because it has the tradition grid pattern while simultaneously providing
green space to residences (parks in the middle of the quadrant) and safety. The dead end streets
give children a safe place to play and no by-passing vehicles. The shops would be located at the
periphery of the grid to minimize car usage. Some critics of the design describe it as “strange”
and “unconventional” [9]. The draw backs of the grid could be its low density and
inaccessibility for public transit such as LRT. The municipal water pipes and water drainage
could also experience difficulty with this layout as well.

The conventional neighborhood design promotes tranquility and peacefulness with automobiles
dominating the transportation use. It is easy to construct and plan because of its homogeneity
where houses can be built facing the road. The draw-back of conventional design is that people
are forced to use automobiles for daily living. This discharges sustainable ways of transportation
such as walking or cycling. The homogeneity of the houses and neighborhood layout also makes
it hard to have layers of buildings of different heights for maximum solar gain.

The approach I took for the design of Portland was to combine New Urbanist and Fused Grid
layout. I adopted New Urbanist approach because I believe it fitted nicely with Jane Jacob’s four
principles of cities. Portland will be a new district which would require a diverse group of
people from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds for mix use neighborhoods. The
diversity of building structures will also help with solar gain and mixed used areas. The Fused
Grid approach was also attractive because it provides safety, privacy, and green space to
residences. The Fused Grid also gives a semblance of order through the use of grid. This creates
an envelope upon which the LRT can travel around Portland picking up and dropping off
passengers.

Image7. Photo of precinct (Quays)




Q.6. Energy and Greenhouse Gas Strategy
Table 4. Total electricity consumption (Kwh)
Residential 11,800 kwh/capita/year [11] (2007)

Units
Projected
population electricity consumption (Kwh)
Totals 14,634 40,975 483,507,360
Commercial Avg: 1780 MJ/m^2/year [12] (2007)
Totals 14,634 26,048,520 7,235,700
Residential + commercial
Totals

1,068,336,249

Table 5. Total GHG emission (tCO2e)
Residential 11,800 kwh/capita/year [11] (2007) 8.4 tCO2e/cap [13] (2004)

Units Projected population GHG (tCO2e)
Totals 14,634 40,975 344,192
Commercial Avg:1780 MJ/m^2/year [12] (2007) 0.244x10^(-3) tCO2e/MJ [14]

NRGFA m^2 Total E (MJ) GHG (tCO2e)
Totals 14,634 26,048,520 6,356
Residential + commercial GHG (tCO2e)
Totals

350,548
The mitigation strategies to achieve carbon neutral design in Portland area would need to be
daring and imaginative. Buildings and transportation contribute the most to GHG emissions
therefore these two areas can be addressed through using renewable energy and minimizing car
usage.
Portland should have renewable energy sources supply the energy it needs for clean electricity
and transport. This means that all the buildings would be powered by renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy would also supply power for the LRT transit system as well as for the electric
buses. During peak hours when additional power is needed to supply need the electricity should
be purchased from clean sources such as hydro, nuclear, or renewables.
Although it is tempting to switch to all-electric vehicle that has no GHG emissions but due to
Toronto’s lack of infrastructure to accommodate it is unlikely that Portland’s can have its
residence using all-electric vehicles. The mix-used neighborhoods in Portland which integrate
commercial, residential, and recreational facility should satisfy resident’s needs within their
proximity. This should reduce the need to drive a gasoline vehicle by residences which will help
lower GHG emissions overall. Lastly, achieving zero emission is very difficult merely by
technology therefore if necessary Portland can consider participating in Cap-and-Trade to offset
its carbon footprint.
References:
1. Stinson, J (1990). The Heritage of Port Industrial District. Toronto Harbour
Commissioners Vol. 1.

2. Portland’s Acceleration Initiative Summary of Findings. Waterfront Toronto.
http://www.portlandsconsultation.ca/sites/all/themes/portlands/files/appendix_1___port_l
ands_summary_of_findings_usi_final_sept_12_2012_1.pdf

3. Hospers, G (2006). Jane Jacobs: Her life and work. European Planning Studies Vol.
14, No. 6. School of Business, Public Administration and Technology, University of
Twente.

4. L. Zhu and R. Roethert (2010). Different approaches in conservation of historic cities
in China, Institution of Civil engineering. Municipal Engineer 163, Issue ME3 pg 189-
196.

5. Plaza, B (2006). The Return on Investment of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 30 (2), pg. 452-467

6. Ever Green Brick Works. Retrieved From: http://ebw.evergreen.ca/about/site/history

7. Household size, by census metropolitan area (2006 Census), Statistics Canada,
Government of Canada Taken from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-
som/l01/cst01/famil122c-eng.htm

8. Talen, E (2010). Affordability in New Urbanist Development: Principle, Practice, and
Strategy. JOURNAL OF URBAN AFFAIRS, Vol. 32/No. 4.

9. Carpenter, T. (2003). Planners fuse new and old grids. Times - Colonist.
http://search.proquest.com/docview/345907429?accountid=14771

10. Powell, Naomi (2005). No Fusion of opinion around fused grid design system. Guelph
Mercury.

11. Toronto’s Sustainable Energy Plan (2007), Report: Energy Efficiency and Beyond,
City of Toronto. Pg. 15 http://www.ontario-
sea.org/Storage/29/2100_Toronto%E2%80%99s_Sustainable_Energy_Plan.pdf

12. The Energy Plan for Toronto (2007), External Stakeholder Focus Groups.
http://www.toronto.ca/energy/pdf/ep4t-stakeholder-presentation-043007.pdf

13. Christopher Kennedy, Stéphanie Demoullin, Eugene Mohareb (2012), Cities reducing
their greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Policy. Volume 49, Pages 774-777, ISSN
0301-4215

14. Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollutants in the City of Toronto (2007), Toward a
Harmonized Strategy for Reducing Emissions. ICF International
www.toronto.ca/taf/pdf/ghginventory_jun07.pdf











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