Key Takeaways:
- Between 2012 and 2023, nearly 30,000 single-family homes in Metro Vancouver were demolished, and upzoning policies are expected to increase demolitions by 35% over the next decade.
- Research suggests that 20% of these homes could be relocated to non-urban areas, while 40-60% could be deconstructed for material reuse, reducing unnecessary waste.
- Renewal Development and Light House urge municipalities to implement pre-demolition assessments, refundable deposits, and green removal permits to encourage relocation and deconstruction, aligning with sustainability goals.
The Whole Story:
Between 2012 and 2023, 29,888 single family homes were bulldozed in Metro Vancouver to make way for higher density development. According to a report released today, provincial and municipal upzoning policies will contribute to a 35% increase in demolitions over the next ten years.
The report was co-authored by Renewal Development and Light House, leaders in providing sustainable solutions to the construction and development industry. Through their research, they estimate that 20% of homes that are leveled can be rescued and relocated to non-urban centres. Another 40-60% can be deconstructed with the materials salvaged and reused.
“There is still so much life in many of these homes and we are just throwing them away,” says Renewal Development CEO Glyn Lewis. “Municipalities have a social and fiscal responsibility to be part of the solution.”
Renewal Development and Light House are calling on municipalities to enact bylaws to reduce waste and protect affordable housing. Among their recommendations:
- Establish pre-demolition assessment that requires all pre-1970 single-family homes slated for demolition to determine whether the home can be relocated or deconstructed.
- Impose a refundable deposit where relocation or deconstruction is deemed feasible.
- Create a separate ‘green removal’ permit, granting relocation and deconstruction companies adequate time to salvage homes and materials before demolition.
“Metro Vancouver can lead by example by making sure these rules apply to all city-owned buildings,” says Gil Yaron, Light House’s Managing Director of Circular Innovation. “Home relocation and deconstruction is a win-win for municipalities – stimulating local economic activity and helping achieve net zero carbon goals.”
They believe there is precedent for these calls to action:
- The City of Victoria imposes a $19,500 refundable deposit that requires 3.5kg of wood be salvaged per square foot of finished floor space on homes older than 1940.
- Parks Canada requires government-owned buildings slated for demolition to be pre- assessed for building relocation or deconstruction.
- BC Housing requires construction, renovation and demolition waste reduction and diversion from landfills for all projects that receive the majority of funding from BC Housing.
“The demolition first paradigm must end. There are responsible alternatives to conventional demolition, be it home relocation or home deconstruction,” adds Lewis.
