Many homes in Vancouver are being unnecessarily demolished, resulting in environmental impacts that can be avoided, according to an assessment from two local organizations.
Of the roughly 685 homes demolished in Vancouver annually from 2012-19, an estimated 20 per cent were in good-to-excellent condition, and could have been relocated and repurposed, says a report by Renewal Development and Light House.
An additional 40-60 per cent of the homes could have been deconstructed, the organizations say, with the materials salvaged and reused in construction and other applications.
“Provincial and municipal upzoning policies will contribute to a 35-per-cent increase in demolitions over the next ten years,” said the Feb. 3 report.
“Demolishing homes directly undermines the City of Vancouver’s objectives to create affordable housing, stimulate local economic activity, reduce solid waste and achieve net-zero carbon emissions.”
Renewal Development specializes in sustainable home removal and repurposing, while Light House helps government and industry to advance regenerative-built environments. Both are based in Vancouver.
The organizations said relocating and deconstructing homes would divert at least 60,000 tonnes of demolition materials away from landfills each year over the next decade, reduce carbon emissions, create jobs and stimulate "circular" economies.
Their policy recommendations, aimed at the City of Vancouver, include: a municipal requirement for pre-demolition assessments; the use of refundable deposits to incentivize relocation and deconstruction; allowing relocation and deconstruction prior to building permit issuance through a new “green removal permit”; and the application of pre-demolition assessments to city-owned buildings.
The organizations said their proposals are especially timely as the B.C. government aims to popularize small-scale, multi-unit housing on single-family lots.
