Brookfield Residential has enrolled four of its Edmonton developments in Built Green Canada’s communities certification program, making it the first developer of its scale to do so under the pilot.

The communities — The Orchards, Chappelle Gardens, Edgemont and Desrochers Grove — are under a framework to evaluate best practices across criteria such as energy, water and wellness.

In addition to being the first large master-planned community developer to participate in the program, Brookfield Residential is the first developer in Canada to enrol four projects simultaneously.

Enrolling its projects in the program presents “an opportunity for us as a developer to take a look at that comprehensive approach to sustainability, to see how we can incorporate it into our best practices,” Lindsey Wachowicz, senior marketing manager of Edmonton communities for Brookfield Residential, said in an interview with Sustainable Biz Canada.

A homebuilder and developer, Brookfield Residential operates in 14 North American markets, including Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. It has built tens of thousands of homes since it was founded in 1956.

Built Green Canada is a non-profit that certifies homes and buildings that have met requirements for energy performance and sustainability. Participation in its communities certification program is a way for developers to verify their sustainability claims and showcase leadership, Jenifer Christenson, Built Green Canada’s CEO, said in a separate interview with Sustainable Biz Canada.

Giving developers a ‘holistic approach to sustainability’

Launched in 2020, the communities certification is bringing in developers in the pilot stage so Built Green Canada can gain feedback, Christenson said. The non-profit is hoping to answer questions such as what worked and what did not, what is missing, and to ensure the requirements are rigorous but achievable.

The program is based around a checklist which lays out requirements for seven areas:

• site location;
• layout and design;
• energy systems;
• water conservation;
• materials and waste management;
• health and wellness; and
• business practices and innovation.

The more a developer satisfies one of the requirements, the more points are granted. For example, the amount of points a community earns in the energy systems category corresponds to how much of that community is powered by renewable energy.

Developers must work with a verifier trained by Built Green Canada to double check if the communities are adhering to the checklist and meeting the non-profit’s standards. To add another layer of credibility, Built Green Canada sends the data to be reviewed by a third-party auditor.

The program “helps developers really gain knowledge on that holistic approach to sustainability in different areas that they can focus on, with that sustainability lens,” Wachowicz added.

Sustainability supports livability

Planned to be the largest community of the four at over 5,000 homes when finished, The Orchards is expected to have approximately 98 acres of park space upon completion. Eight kilometres of trails are also planned for the community of street townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes.

The second-largest community is Chappelle Gardens, located in southeast Edmonton. Designed to have approximately 4,000 units comprising of townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes, residents can enjoy almost eight kilometres of trails.

Edgemont in west Edmonton is expected to have approximately 2,400 homes of street townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes when finished, with 26 acres of park space and 15 kilometres of trails.

Desrochers Grove, described by Wachowicz as a “unique one,” is an upcoming boutique community of 129 single-family homes and outdoor space with a stormwater pond.

Wachowicz declined to disclose further details about the sustainability of the communities, such as how renewable energy will be used, saying, “this is where we’re starting.”

Brookfield Residential can communicate its values in a succinct way by enrolling in the program, Wachowicz said. The company has used “progressive land planning, innovative construction methods, (energy-efficient) home designs and environmentally conscious materials” for its projects, it states on its website.

There is a value that goes beyond a certification, Wachowicz continued. The livability of the communities is significantly enhanced with the residents’ associations, bike paths, trails and green spaces, she explained.

Sustainable communities provide residents with environmental and health benefits, Built Green Canada said, and can build stronger social connections, a healthier lifestyle and more affordable living.

Built Green Canada is aiming to have 10 communities certified before it feels ready to end the pilot, Christenson said. Four communities have already been certified — three in Alberta and one in Ontario. Built Green Canada’s goal is to have two more communities enrolled and to finish the pilot phase “soon,” she said.