Innovation, thy name is Pickering! The city has numerous environmental initiatives in the works, putting it well on its way to becoming one of the most sustainable places in Canada. 

Already, Pickering is known for being clean and safe, with an incredible amount of parks and green spaces everywhere you turn. And we aim to keep it that way for our youngest residents!

Combine that natural beauty with a family-friendly atmosphere and housing affordability, and it’s easy to see why so many people are coming here to put down roots. In this post, we’ll explore a few of the ways that Pickering is going green.

There’s no doubt that Pickering is a fantastic place to live! Should you buy your next house here? The resources below will facilitate a seamless transition:

• How NOT To Buy a House
• Inside the Hunt for a House in the GTA
• Can You Make a Home Offer Appealing Without Paying More Money?

Integrated Sustainable Design Standards

In 2007, Pickering developed a bold environmental plan called the Sustainable Development Guidelines, which identified various elements that would keep our neighbourhoods clean and vibrant. It also drafted plans for rezoning applications and building permits. 

The Integrated Sustainable Design Standards is the latest evolution of that initiative, allowing the city to implement best practices and technologies based on modern information. This legislation offers a tiered approach that outlines mandatory performance measures all new developments must abide by as well as voluntary efforts to enhance sustainability even further.

• Building Green User Guide: This two-tiered system offers a set of both mandatory and optional guidelines to ensure all new buildings in the city are environmentally friendly. 
• Low-Rise Residential Checklist: These standards apply to all buildings with less than four storeys and at least five residential units. The developer must provide all residents with an educational package explaining the building’s sustainability features and offering tips for green lifestyle practices. 
• Mid to High-Rise Residential & Non-Residential Checklist: Similar to the above, this checklist will apply to all residential towers four storeys and higher. Industrial, commercial and institutional buildings will also be subject to these guidelines.
• Resident Education Information Package Resource Guide: Knowledge is power, and this resource provides residents with what they need to keep their homes clean and sustainable. It covers everything from waste disposal and care of pets to information about sustainable transit options. A “Know Before You Throw” app shows how to safely and sustainably discard household items.
• Energy Modelling Report Guidelines: Creating healthier urban spaces depends on energy efficiency. These guidelines ensure all new buildings push innovation to the limit to meet strict energy and emissions targets. 

Backyard Tree Planting Program

Every new tree helps to provide clean air for everyone, as well as a habitat for the many wildlife species you’ll spot scurrying about the city! The Backyard Tree Planting Program may not seem like much, but small, combined efforts can lead to an abundance of greenery in each neighbourhood. 

All Pickering homeowners are encouraged to participate, and two programs are available:

1. Done For You Tree Planting: This full service includes a 30-minute consultation, a beautiful native deciduous or evergreen tree of your choice, and a professional team to deliver and plant the tree for your backyard. 
2. Do-It-Yourself Tree Planting: For those with a green thumb who prefer to plant their own trees, this package includes online information videos, a virtual consultation, and delivery of a native tree for your front, side, or backyard. You’ll also receive ongoing advice on how to care for your new tree through email and follow-up visits.

Community Climate Adaptation Plan

It’s no secret that summers in Southern Ontario can get sweltering hot. When the mercury is climbing and the humidity is through the stratosphere, it can be difficult to leave the house. Add in a poor air quality index, and it can begin to feel as though even the air you breathe is out to get you.

While the debate about climate change goes on endlessly, Pickering has an actionable plan for keeping residents safe and comfortable while forming long-term sustainability initiatives. In the meantime, several relief plans are in place to make those hot days more bearable:

• There will be warming and cooling centres at City facilities.
• Naturalization projects and restoration of the waterfront will create safe and healthy recreational activities..
• Shade projects provide residents with a reprieve from the sun.
• Numerous splash pads abound to keep children cool and happy. 
• An early warning system allows residents to prepare for and stay safe during severe weather, extreme heat, and poor air conditions. 

However, the City of Pickering isn’t stopping there. The goal is to increase our climate resiliency through education while working with residents and developers to build more sustainable communities. The new masterplanned community of Seaton is the perfect example, where new residential and commercial development will integrate with nature, with as much as 50% of the land dedicated to green space.

Want to know more about the Durham region and Pickering? Check out some of our related posts below:

• Exploring Seaton: Pickering’s Hidden Gem in the GTA
• What Is the Fastest-Growing Area of the GTA?
• What You Need to Know About Pickering’s Hot Condo Market

Environmental Stewardship Pickering 

The Environmental Stewardship Pickering is a community of organizations that work collaboratively to reduce our collective carbon footprint without compromising on our high quality of life. This partnership includes the City of Pickering, Ontario Power Generation, and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. 

Through this vast network, Pickering residents can find sustainable programs and events such as private planting and clean water initiatives, hands-on conservation efforts, nature workshops, and much more. 

Team Rajpal is happy to get involved in this worthy goal as well, which is why we  plant a tree with each of our transactions in the name of the seller or buyer. Together, we are committed to the mission of keeping Pickering clean and beautiful, now and for future generations. 

Are you curious about all that Pickering has to offer? We are experienced Pickering real estate agents who can never get enough of talking about one of our favourite places. Reach out today to info@teamrajpal.com or call 647-875-8000  with any questions you have.

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