Advancing the OCP

Trees provide more benefit to communities than just aesthetics. They are a key component to helping slow and absorb rainfall, thereby reducing flooding and reliance on man-made stormwater management systems. On average, a mature tree can absorb up to 1,000 gallons of rainfall every year that would otherwise require an energy intensive process to pump and filter. It is estimated that every dollar spent on a tree in the city saves $6 in storm water infrastructure and energy costs.

Trees also help regulate temperature. During winter, they provide shelter from the cold winds, and in summer they provide shade, reducing heating and cooling costs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the shade from trees, in combination with the water vapor they release, can reduce peak temperatures by as much as 11 to 25°C compared to unshaded areas. When shade is cast on an office building or home, internal temperatures can drop 4 to 6°C. It is estimated that shade from a single tree can save the same amount of energy used to power 10 room-sized air conditioners for 20 hours a day. It is estimated that Regina’s urban forest is responsible for removing the CO₂ equivalent of 3,330 mid-sized vehicles.

In 2020, the City of Regina became one of nine Canadian cities to be recognized with the Tree Cities of the World designation by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. This international program celebrates cities that meet the five core standards for care and planning of urban trees and forests: establish responsibility, set the rules, know what you have, allocate the resources and celebrate achievements.

A key direction in the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is to ensure that a range of sustainable transportation choices such as walking, cycling or transit are available to increase mobility and accessibility for residents of all ages and income levels. In support of the TMP, a Transit Master Plan is being developed that will chart the path forward for the City’s transit services, which includes exploring alternative fuel sources and new technologies to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of the system. An on-demand transit pilot project will run from September to December 2020. It will assess route optimization through the use of software that enables transit riders to request service when needed on select routes.

Each year, the City invests in additional sidewalks and pedestrian connections along transit locations, focusing on important points that connect the sidewalk network, developing complete neighbourhoods. New on-street bikeways and multi-use pathways in existing Regina neighbourhoods are added annually, working toward the sustainable transportation goals set out in the OCP.

LEED certification for Fire Hall #4: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance. In 2013, the City of Regina received LEED Gold Standard certification for the construction of Fire Station #4. Achieving LEED certifications requires implementing reduction initiatives such as high-efficiency heating and cooling, energy efficient lighting, upgrades to doors and windows to improve energy efficiency, and designing exterior spaces to limit landscaping requirements. While Fire Station #4 is the only building with LEED certification, all new City facilities are built, and all facility renovations are completed, with the LEED principles in mind.

Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Upgrades: Energy efficiency was one of the main priorities when designing the new WWTP that was completed in 2018. Electrical consumption has been reduced through more efficient pumping equipment. Geothermal energy is the primary source of office space heating in the winter, reducing natural gas usage; and renewable biogas is used to heat the digesters.

Transit Fleet Maintenance Facility: This project involves constructing a new facility that will be attached to the existing Transit Operations Centre at 333 Winnipeg Street. It will enable the City to deliver expanded transit services to existing and new neighbourhoods. The facility is being designed and constructed to contemporary energy, environmental and sustainability standards to improve the working environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste Management Centre: As the City continues to grow, the number of Solid Waste collection vehicles has grown and is expected to continue to grow. This will continue to place increased pressure on the existing facilities, already at or beyond capacity.The new Waste Management Centre blends operational, environmental and energy efficiencies between the Solid Waste branches by sharing crew spaces, office support areas and vehicle and equipment storage.

McCarthy Boulevard Pumping Station (MBPS) Improvements: The City actively identifies opportunities to reduce its energy consumption to minimize the water network’s impact on the environment and to keep residents’ water bills affordable. A large construction project is finishing in 2020 that will result in increased water pumping capacity added to the MBPS. Although the work is being done to help eliminate sewer bypasses to Wascana Creek, the City prioritized reducing energy consumption when selecting and installing pumping equipment.

Maple Leaf and Wascana Pool(s): In 2020 and 2021, construction will occur on the Maple Leaf and Wascana outdoor pools. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are a priority for both. This will include water conservation features such as filtration systems and low consumption plumbing fixtures, as well as high efficiency heaters, LED lighting, variable speed pumps and solar panels to reduce electricity and natural gas consumption.