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UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.
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As cities continue to evolve and expand in this climate-stressed world, the need for new development to be sustainable becomes increasingly important. In response, a number of sustainability standards have emerged, serving as benchmarks for constructing or retrofitting environments that are environmentally responsible and socially beneficial while also being economically viable. UrbanToronto's Sustainability Month has shone a spotlight on the needs and impacts of these standards, illustrating how they are shaping the future of urban development.
Ranging from the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® to local initiatives like the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) — these standards provide frameworks that guide the construction and operation of buildings and communities towards greater sustainability. They address a multitude of environmental challenges, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthier living environments, which are vital for the long-term resilience of our cities. We will take a look at how they all work.
LEED Certification
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, originally developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), serves as a globally recognized mark of excellence in sustainability. LEED certification supports building owners and operators in their efforts to be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. The program's widespread adoption underscores its significance in promoting sustainable construction practices worldwide. The Canada Green Building Council is a contributor to LEED's international development process to continuously improve the certification system.
LEED certification is achieved through a points system based on a building's compliance with various sustainability criteria spanning several key categories, including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation in Design, and Regional Priority. The certification levels — Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — reflect the extent to which a building meets these standards, with each ascending level indicating higher compliance and integration of sustainable practices. A project earns a Certified rating with 40-49 points, Silver with 50-59 points, Gold with 60-79 points, and Platinum with 80 or more points.
The Bayside developments on Toronto's waterfront by Tridel and Hines, which include Aqualina, Aquavista, Aquabella, and Aqualuna, form a significant clusted of new buildings that prioritize sustainability and innovative design. Each of these developments has either achieved or is targeting LEED Platinum certification, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. From Aqualina's solar panels and energy-saving systems to Aquabella's design that maximizes natural light and views, these projects demonstrate the potential for high-rise condominiums to integrate sustainable building practices while enhancing residents' quality of life. With Aqualuna on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification and featuring extensive retail space along the Water's Edge Promenade, the Bayside projects collectively set a new standard for sustainable, community-oriented waterfront development in Toronto.
Toronto Green Standard
The Toronto Green Standard (TGS) is a pivotal element of the City's commitment to sustainable development. It exemplifies Toronto's proactive approach to integrating environmental considerations into urban planning and construction processes. The TGS operates on a tiered system, allowing for a progressive enhancement of sustainability measures. Tier 1 is mandatory for all new development applications, and focuses on basic sustainable building and site design measures. Tiers 2 and higher are voluntary but incentivized, encouraging developers to adopt more ambitious environmental performance measures. The highest level, Tier 4, came into effect in 2022, requiring even more stringent standards, such as EV parking spots.
Initially introduced in 2006, the TGS went from being a voluntary standard to two tiers of performance by 2010. It was developed to address the increasing concerns about urban sprawl, energy consumption, and environmental degradation. Over the years, it has evolved through various iterations, each enhancing the requirements and expanding the scope to cover more aspects of sustainable development. Every fews years, the standards become more stringent, with the previous optional Tier 2 becoming the new mandatory Tier 1, etc.
The proposed mixed-use market-rate and affordable rental mass-timber building at 1113-1125 Dundas Street West from CreateTO (below), is a pioneering project in Toronto's Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood. The building will adhere to the Toronto Green Standard Version 4, which mandates that 25 percent of the raw materials meet specific sustainability criteria, including the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products or CaGBC-approved equivalents. By embracing mass timber construction and stringent sustainability standards, this development showcases the potential for innovative, environmentally conscious design in Toronto's growing landscape.
WELL Building Standard
The WELL Building Standard® represents a pioneering approach to enhancing health and well-being in the built environment. Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), this performance-based system measures, certifies, and monitors features of the built environment that impact human health and wellness through key concepts such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.
The WELL Standard is distinctive in its holistic focus on human health in building design and management. It highlights the crucial role of air and water quality, promotes the availability of fresh, wholesome foods, and recognizes the importance of natural light for regulating human circadian rhythms. The standard also encourages physical fitness opportunities, ergonomically sound environments, and design elements that can reduce stress and enhance overall mental health.
160 Front West, Cadillac Fairview's new office tower in Toronto's Financial District (below), is designed to achieve WELL Building Standard certification. Its construction leveraged advanced SMART building features such as PCL's Job Site Insights™ and Eddy Solutions™ sensor technologies. These optimize construction processes like concrete curing, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs. Additionally, the building's features include a state-of-the-art curtain wall system, an ultra-high-efficiency HVAC system supported by Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling system that uses the cold waters of Lake Ontario, and a full-building backup generator. Environmental sustainability is further supported by a reclaimed rainwater system. It also adopts Cadillac Fairview’s "Green at Work"® program, incorporating leading global sustainability practices into its property management and operations, focused on reduced carbon emissions and the responsible use of resources.
BOMA BEST
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) BEST program stands as a cornerstone in the drive towards sustainable building management, particularly emphasizing the environmental performance and management of existing buildings. Developed by BOMA Canada, this program provides a structured approach for building owners and managers to assess and improve their properties' environmental practices over time.
BOMA BEST revolves around a comprehensive framework that evaluates a building's performance across ten key areas, including energy, water, waste reduction, emissions, indoor environment, and environmental management systems. The program employs a certification system that measures current practices and encourages continual improvement through re-assessment every three years. The program is designed to be accessible and applicable to a broad range of commercial properties, regardless of their size or type.
The evaluation process under BOMA BEST is rigorous. It involves an extensive self-assessment followed by on-site verifications conducted by third-party assessors. This approach ensures that the standards are accurately adhered to and that the building's operational practices are genuinely aligned with sustainability goals. The certification levels — ranging from Certified to Platinum — reflect the degree to which buildings meet and exceed the standard criteria, offering building owners and managers a clear benchmark for measuring their progress.
Almadev's LSQ development (below) is a comprehensive master-planned community featuring residential, office, and retail spaces, centred around a substantial public parkland. The development's commitment to sustainable urban development is exemplified by its two preserved office buildings that have been awarded BOMA BEST Sustainable Building certifications. This is part of a broader vision to create a mixed-use community that sustainably brings together living, working, and recreational spaces.
The Impact of Standards on Project Development
The adoption of sustainability standards such as LEED, WELL, BOMA BEST, and the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) significantly influences the planning, construction, and operation phases of urban development. These standards encourage developers, architects, and builders to consider sustainability from the earliest stages of design, leading to solutions that address energy efficiency, water conservation, material selection, and the well-being of occupants.
While adhering to high sustainability standards can involve initial costs and complexities, the benefits are substantial. Buildings that meet these standards have a lower environmental impact, consume fewer resources, and offer healthier spaces for occupants, which can lead to increased productivity and well-being. Additionally, these buildings often have higher property values and can attract tenants more easily due to their modern features and lower operational costs.
As more developers and builders recognize the value of these standards, the impact on urban landscapes becomes increasingly profound, setting new benchmarks for sustainability in not just Toronto, but cities around the world. The adoption of sustainability standards has already reshaped Toronto's urban development, steering projects towards more responsible and efficient practices that benefit both the environment and the communities they serve.
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.
