Sustainable Land Development

Sustainable land development in Richmond Hill reduces the negative impact community growth can have on our natural environment. This includes sustainable development practices, green infrastructure and sustainable design. Richmond Hill's sustainable development initiatives demonstrate our environmental leadership.

Sustainable development tool

Richmond Hill, in collaboration with the City of Brampton and the City of Vaughan, created the Sustainability Metrics tool to promote sustainable development and design through the planning and approvals process. Development applications are scored using the Metrics to figure out how sustainable they are.

Learn more about the Sustainability Metrics tool.

Green infrastructure

Green infrastructure is the vegetation, soils and natural processes used to manage water and create healthier environments. At a regional scale, green infrastructure refers to the patchwork of natural areas that provide habitat, flood protection, cleaner air and cleaner water. At a local level (or in site-specific areas), green infrastructure, also known as low impact development (LID), refers to stormwater management systems that soak up and store water.

Green infrastructure initiatives in Richmond Hill include:

• Valleyland restoration
• Stormwater management systems, such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting and bio swales
• Rain gardens

Sustainable City facilities

Through its City facilities, Richmond Hill is able to showcase development projects that incorporate sustainable design. In 2007, Richmond Hill developed a Sustainable Design and Construction of City Facilities policy. Under this policy, any new City building with a total floor area of more than 500 m² must meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards or an equal level of sustainable design.

City facilities in Richmond Hill that incorporate sustainable design features include:

• Oak Ridges Library (LEED Silver certification)
• Oak Ridges Community Centre (LEED Silver certification)
• Ed Sackfield Arena and Fitness Centre (LEED Silver certification)
• Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (geothermal ground sourced heat pumps)
• George Forster House (geothermal ground source heat pumps)
• Eyer Homestead (geothermal ground sources heat pumps)
• Bond Lake Arena (solar water heaters)
• Elgin West Community Centre and Pool (solar water heaters)
• Centennial Pool (solar water heaters)
• Main Municipal Offices (solar water heaters)
• Elvis Stojko Arena (photovoltaic "PV" solar electricity)
• Robert Holland Interpretive Centre (photovoltaic "PV" solar electricity)
• Richmond Green Sports Complex (photovoltaic "PV" solar electricity)