Resilient to Environmental Threats
Overarching Resiliency Goals
Our goal is to have a non-profit co-operative building and vertical farm that can function well together for at least 200 years. Two related goals are first, to build sustainably a building that can resiliently withstand the worsening adverse weather events of the next 200 years and second, to minimize the building’s long term environmental footprint.
Climate Adaptation Leadership
Since 2009, the City of Kingston has pursued an ambitious vision to become Canada’s most sustainable city, aiming to be an innovative carbon-neutral city, fostering climate leadership and resilience. In fact, the City of Kingston was the first Ontario municipality to declare a climate emergency (in 2019) recognizing the threats and opportunities from carbon emissions and energy efficiency.2,3
Our Building builds on this goal with design that plans well into the future. We asked for a “forever building” recognizing that forever is far beyond our current members’ life expectancy our design plans for what we can foresee to 2050 about which point the building’s mortgage will be or be close to being paid off allowing financial flexibility to adapt to changing environmental circumstances.
Climate projections for Kingston in the 2050s indicate significant adverse weather events may become commonplace such as:
Notable increase in temperatures
Average temperature rising by 4°C and hot days exceeding 30°C surging from 6 to 48 days annually will heighten the demand for cooling systems, energy consumption, and potential power outages due to grid overload.1
Large numbers of trees and vegetation covering the building will provide relief from urban heat domes and provide a drop in nearby ambient temperatures for members of our LCCH community.
Heat-related health risks
Risks especially among vulnerable groups, are expected to rise while the demand for cooling, greenspace, and outdoor recreation could strain existing resources.1
With large swaths of accessible green rooves, shading from trees, central air conditioning we expect to minimize ambient temperatures in and around the building as well as lower the costs for members of our community.
Change in freeze-thaw cycles are anticipated
A decrease in thaw cycles per year, but more concentrated in winter months, leading to winter related power outages, water main breaks, and increased and rapid snowmelt for potential flooding risks.1
Green rooves with farmable soil add a layer of insolation that can contribute to reducing the number of freeze-thaw cycles that negatively affect parts of the building.
Anticipated increase in precipitation and heavy rainfall events
Increases up to 10% in annual precipitation expected in all seasons except summer. Annual heavy rains to increase up to 10 times per year accompanied by a rise in intense rain and severe storm events.1
Systems to capture rainwater for use in the vertical farm and urban farming as well as community gardens allows for reduced and/or better managed runoff.
Storm water system overload
Increased frequency and magnitude of combined sewer overflows, road and culvert washouts.
Systems to capture rainwater for use in the vertical farm and urban farming as well as community gardens allows for a more controlled management of stormwater overload surges.
Wind gusts
Stronger wind gusts, with gusts over 90km/h expected to increase 15%.1
Designed to withstand more than 100km/h sustained wind speeds plus attenuation from trees around and on the building. The curves of the building also contribute to a smother wind flow around the building thus lowering the direct impact of heavy wind and rain compared to a rectilinear building. The curves have a particularly large impact reduction on the edges of the building. It is not an accident that there are no straight edges in nature.
Premature degradation of buildings
Weathering impacts may increase maintenance requirements.1
With a learning organization, an engaged community, and large volunteer force, monitoring, maintenance, and strategic planning, LCCH’s asset management will be higher and more comprehensive than in any non-co-op building.
Effective land use planning, urban design, and mixed-use developments can positively influence building and transportation emissions from cities. Location along transit, higher density design, and car sharing, are vital considerations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.2
The opportunities with the greatest potential to further reduce Kingston’s emissions are:1
- Climate and energy smart buildings
- Supporting local food systems
- Waste management
- Widespread adoption of electric vehicles
1 City of Kingston Climate Action Plan
2 Density by Design: Kingston Mid-Rise and Tall Building Policy Issues and Options Report
3 Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Final Report