Green Haven Urban Design Concept

"Green Haven," a new urban neighborhood in Broadway Strip, Vancouver, embodying the principles of sustainable urban design to create a livable, resilient, and environmentally friendly community. Green Haven features high-density, mixed-use buildings that house residential units, shops, offices, and recreational facilities within walking distance, reducing the need for car travel and encouraging walking, cycling, and public transportation. The neighborhood includes several parks, community gardens, green roofs, and vertical gardens on buildings, enhancing biodiversity, providing recreational spaces, and improving air quality with native plant species supporting local wildlife. All buildings in Green Haven are designed with energy-efficient features, including passive solar design, high-performance insulation, and smart energy systems, while renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines supply a significant portion of the community's energy needs. Sustainable water practices, such as rainwater harvesting systems, green infrastructure like bioswales, and permeable pavements, manage stormwater runoff and reduce flooding. The project prioritizes sustainable transportation with a well-connected public transit system, extensive cycling networks, pedestrian-friendly streets, car-free zones, and ample bike-sharing stations encouraging greener modes of transport. Green Haven includes affordable housing options to ensure a diverse and inclusive community, with public spaces like community centers, playgrounds, and plazas designed to be accessible and promote social interaction and community engagement. Built with resilience in mind, the neighborhood features flood-resistant infrastructure, emergency shelters, and adaptable public spaces, considering future climate change impacts and economic shifts. A comprehensive waste management system, including recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies, educates residents on waste reduction practices, providing facilities for easy sorting and disposal of waste materials. Respecting and integrating the area's cultural heritage, the project preserves historical sites and incorporates local architectural styles and materials, with public art installations and cultural programs celebrating the community’s identity and history. Supporting local businesses through designated commercial areas, co-working spaces, and markets encourages entrepreneurship and job creation, fostering economic diversity and creating a stable and vibrant local economy. The development of Green Haven involves collaboration among urban planners, architects, engineers, environmental scientists, and the local community, with regular community workshops and feedback sessions ensuring that the project meets the needs and aspirations of its residents, creating a cohesive and sustainable urban environment. By integrating these principles, Green Haven becomes a model for sustainable urban living, offering a high quality of life while minimizing its environmental footprint and promoting social equity and economic resilience.

Sustainable urban design focuses on creating cities that are environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable. Key principles of sustainable urban design include:

  • Encouraging higher density and mixed-use development to reduce the need for car travel and promote walking, cycling, and public transportation.

  • Incorporating parks, gardens, green roofs, and natural habitats within urban areas to support biodiversity, provide recreational spaces, and improve air quality.

  • Designing buildings and infrastructure to minimize energy use through passive solar design, efficient heating and cooling systems, and renewable energy sources.

  • Implementing sustainable water practices such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and green infrastructure like permeable pavements to manage stormwater and reduce runoff.

  • Promoting public transportation, cycling, and walking over private car use through integrated transit systems, pedestrian-friendly design, and extensive cycling networks.

  • Ensuring that urban design benefits all residents by providing affordable housing, accessible public services, and inclusive public spaces that foster social interaction and community cohesion.

  • Designing cities to withstand and adapt to environmental challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and economic fluctuations.

  • Encouraging waste reduction, recycling, and composting through effective waste management systems and community education.

  • Preserving historic buildings, cultural sites, and local traditions to maintain a city’s unique character and identity.

  • Ensuring that urban development is economically sustainable by promoting local businesses, job creation, and economic diversity.

  • Adopting a holistic approach to urban design that involves collaboration between planners, architects, engineers, and the community to create cohesive and sustainable urban environments.

Commercial Space

Educational Space

Office Institutional Space

Residential Space

Short Term Residential

1. In the Green Haven master plan, the prominent green areas are dedicated to promoting green spaces and biodiversity. These spaces include parks, community gardens, and natural habitats integrated within the urban landscape to support local flora and fauna. Green roofs atop buildings enhance air quality and provide additional recreational areas for residents. The parks and gardens are designed not only for leisure and relaxation but also to serve as vital ecological corridors, linking various parts of the neighborhood and fostering a thriving ecosystem. This approach ensures that urban development harmoniously coexists with nature, offering a balanced environment that benefits both people and wildlife.