What do you want Calgary to look like in 10 years? Have your say!
If you find an interesting urban studies related news story, have an urban studies related project that you are proud of, or have an opinion on any urban issue and want it posted on UrbanCSA.org, please submit it to contact@urbancsa.org
Who are we?
UrbanCSA is the Urban Studies Club of the University of Calgary. It is a space for all the students interested in urban issues and the shaping of our city!
Why should I join?
UrbanCSA is a great opportunity to get involved on Campus. We provide sevices such as:
UrbanCSA is now the official University of Calgary Urban Studies club!
Published: Saturday, November 01, 2008
Calgary’s property developers and home builders are hailing a revised city growth blueprint that’s not “as scary” as it appeared months ago, when their associations demanded city hall delay its plan so they could lobby for changes.
Two of Calgary’s most influential lobbies — the Urban Development Institute and Canadian Home Builders Association-Calgary Region — had expressed fears that the new land-use and transportation plans under the Plan It Calgary project would choke off expansion of new suburbs and virtually spell the end of the single-family detached house.
But city officials stress that Plan It Calgary will welcome growth on undeveloped land, although future emphasis will remain on population growth in existing neighbourhoods, with less sprawl overall.
Source: CBC News
City hall wants to build an “urban village” around a northwest C-Train stop, a plan that is unpopular with some of the people living near the transit hub.
Calgary’s planning commission approved the Brentwood Station Area Redevelopment plan Thursday. The plan will now go to council for approval, likely in December.
Continue reading ‘Urban Village plan for Brentwood passes 1st hurdle’
The Drake Landing Solar Community is a planned neighborhood in Okotoks, Alberta, which succesfully integrates Solar Energy Production, District Heating and Thermal energy storage. Drake Landing Solar Community Website
DLSC Concept
We are prepearing a visit to the site sometime in late November. Please contact us at colin.chapman@urbancsa.org if you are interested in joining us!
Colin Chapman
On October 15th, Andrew Sedor Presented to City of Calgary Council on Solar Ready Housing.
What is a solar ready house?
A solar ready house, in short, is a house that can easily and inexpensively be retrofitted with solar panels or other solar technologies that will maximize the solar efficiency. Solar ready home do not contain solar panels.
Why do we need solar ready housing?
Because of the relatively expensive price of solar panels, currently solar power is not a viable option for most households. But in a few years, solar power is predicted to be less expensive than other non-renewable forms of energy. When that day comes, households still may have issues converting to solar energy because of roof orientation, shading and the overall construction of their home.
How much does it cost?
Incorporating “solar ready” into a building plan costs around $300. While retrofitting a house for solar can cost thousands of dollars.
On August 12th 2008, Andrew Sedor presented to City of Calgary staff on sustainable suburbs at the City of Calgary Student conference.
The presentation focuses on sustainable European communities and the policy it took for the communities to exist. The three communities focused on in the presentation are:
