Sustainability in Buildings and Land Use

The University of Victoria aims to evolve a land use and building pattern that supports the academic mission, respects the unique physical environment, encourages lively social interaction, and promotes compact, pedestrian-friendly, sustainable development.

Action Plan 2009 - 2014 Goals:

• 100% of all capital building projects and major renovations will utilize an integrated approach to building planning, design, construction and operations.

• 100% of all new buildings will be constructed and certified as LEED Gold facilities.

• 50% of all major renovation projects registered in the LEED EB (existing buildings) program.

• 100% of all building spaces are cleaned with green cleaning techniques and products by 2011.

• To maintain and maximize the utilization of our physical infrastructure.

The Built Environment

In the spring of 2006, UVic adopted sustainable development guidelines to assist decision making related to sustainability in new buildings and renovations. These guidelines essentially provide options for meeting the academic mission of the university in a manner that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

The guidelines promote green buildings, which emphasize responsible construction and building practices, feature recycled materials and renewable resources, minimize impacts on natural areas, accommodate more floor space within a smaller building footprint, utilize systems that emphasize water and energy conservation and efficiency, and enhance indoor environmental air quality.

Above: UVic Grounds Staff have been busy planting the 8 green roofs on top of the

Social Sciences and Mathematics Building.

Green Buildings on Campus

Over the past decade, the University of Victoria has constructed a number of buildings and facilities that incorporate sustainability into design, construction and operations.

The Medical Sciences Building was the first building on campus to earn Gold Level Status in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, follwed by the Engineering Computer Science Building, followed by the Social Sciences and Mathematics Building and the Administrative Services Building. The First Peoples' House and the South Tower student residence (opened January 2011) are also targeted for LEED Gold.

Above: First People's House

Regardless of registration in the LEED program, all buildings include features such as:

• Erosion and sediment control plans
• Construction waste management plan that is designed to increase the amount of material reused and recycled and reduce the amount of waste sent for landfill disposal
• Stormwater management approach using rainwater capture and on-site retention pond
• Compact, efficient building with modest footprint
• Natural ventilation system
• Low-E reflective glazing to minimize heat gain on the south façade
• Occupancy sensors in classrooms
• Treated waste water reuse initiative for toilets and urinals
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Green Power investments to off-set building energy consumption
• Green cleaning system
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and sensor faucets
• Carpet made from recycled material
• Sheet goods flooring made of marmoleum
• On-site bike parking
• Use of concrete with high fly-ash content
• Use of permeable paving for access driveways
• Centralized recycling stations
• Native plant landscaping

• No ozone-depleting refrigerants as part of the mechanical refrigeration plant
• Cyclist shower and change room facilities
• Close proximity to transit
• Use of locally sourced building materials (esp. concrete and fill)
• Topsoil has been salvaged and will be used for other grounds projects
• Use of permeable paving

Above: Clay from the Social Sciences and Mathematics Building site is being made into tiles

and stones for landscaping and entry way features.

Campus Planning Initiatives

Physical changes at UVic are guided by the long-term vision and framework for development set out in the 2003 Campus Plan.  Plan goals provide for a land use and building pattern that respects the unique physical environment and encourages social interaction, allows for safe pedestrian-friendly links throughout the campus and promotes compact sustainable development and operations and the increased use of public transit, cycling and walking.  The university is committed in its planning processes to developing and maintaining active communication and collaboration with all those affected by its physical changes.

Wayfinding Strategy

The UVic campus has grown extensively since its establishment at its current location in 1961. The layout of the campus around Ring Road, with buildings located both within and outside of the ring, presents a number of way finding challenges to both campus visitors and the campus community. The way finding study will examine approaches to providing students, visitors, employees and the community with comprehensive way finding via directional, informational, parking and other signage, maps and location identifiers. For more information, contact Neil Connelly, Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, at 472-5433.