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Policy Solution

Building orientation

Mandate

Case Studies

Summary

Doors and windows can be oriented to minimize solar heat gain and increase ventilation.

Implementation

Update design guidelines to orient doors and windows to minimize solar heat gain (e.g. north-south orientation to minimize sun exposure and windows oriented toward prevailing winds for ventilation).

Considerations for Use

This is only applicable to new developments.

Overview

  • Climate:

    Cold, Hot/Dry, Hot/Humid, Temperate

  • Policy Levers:

    MandateMandates are government regulations that require stakeholders to meet standards through building codes, ordinances, zoning policies, or other regulatory tools.

  • Trigger Points:

    City planning processesIncludes city initiatives such as the development of climate action plan, pathway to zero-energy, master plan, transit plan, energy mapping etc.
    Introducing new or updated zoning/codesIncludes codes, zoning requirements or by-laws pertaining to urban planning and building construction activity.

  • Intervention Types:

    Buildings and Built Form

  • Sectors:

    Buildings

Case Studies

Impact

  • Target Beneficiaries:

    Property owners, Residents

  • Phase of Impact:

    Risk reduction and mitigation

  • Metrics:

    Decrease in surface temperature, Energy savings

Implementation

  • Intervention Scale:

    Building, Site

  • Authority and Governance:

    City government

  • Implementation Timeline:

    Short-term (1-2 Years)

  • Implementation Stakeholders:

    City government, Private developers

  • Funding Sources:

    Private investment, Public investment

  • Capacity to Act:

    High, Medium

Benefits

  • Cost-Benefit:

    Low

  • Public Good:

    Low

  • GHG Reduction:

    Low

  • Co-benefits (Climate/Environmental):

    Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

  • Co-benefits (Social/Economic):

    Save on utilities