The Olympic Village in Vancouver's Southeast False Creek was
awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) Tuesday, certifying it as the greenest, most energy
efficient and sustainable neighbourhood on Earth.
"This should be a source of pride for residents and an example
to the rest of the world," Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in
a press conference.
"[This] is a big feather in our cap, as we move towards our goal
of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020."
The distinction is awarded based on a myriad
of factors, including proximity to the downtown core, mixed
residential and commercial use, affordable housing, green and
energy efficient buildings and habitat restoration.
Southeast False Creek also received points for building the
Neighbourhood Energy Utility, the city's first renewable heating
system. It also scored high for the net zero building, a structure
that produces as much energy as it consumes.
The emerging neighbourhood is the second in the world to achieve
LEED Platinum status. The first is Dockside Green in Victoria,
B.C.
"As far as we know there's nowhere comparable in the world,"
Robertson said.
The former industrial site
on False Creek northwest of Science World, which currently houses
2,600 athletes and coaches, will be home to up to 16,000 people
once construction is complete.
"When the Games end, Vancouver will have a thriving mixed-use
community of housing and retail, commercial and public spaces that
will be a singular reminder of how the Olympic spirit inspires us
all to achieve our dreams," said the Tim Cole of the U.S. Green
Building Council.