The following publications can be downloaded or ordered through
the CMHC website or by calling 1-800- 668-2642 (outside Canada,
dial 613-748-2003). For a complete list of CMHC research publications
that are available through the Canadian Housing Information Centre
(CHIC), go to the CMHC home page (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca)
and click on the Library link, click on Library Services, and then
click on Ordering CMHC Research Reports.
Housing Research Tools & Resources
Use CMHC's Housing Research Tools & Resources to locate material
on various housing information topics. www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/li/horetore/index.cfm
Research Highlights
Research Highlights are brief summaries of complete reports on the
findings of research projects conducted for or by CMHC. This series
is divided into two streams: Technical Series and the Socio-Economic
Series. The most recent Research Highlights are now found in the
CMHC Order Desk (where you may download the Adobe PDF version).
www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/rehi/index.cfm
CMHC Housing Research e-Newsletters
CMHC Housing Technology
CMHC Housing Research
Interested in Canadian housing technology? Subscribe now to
a free, informative newsletter to learn about CMHC's latest
research. Topics include building envelope, moisture management,
indoor air quality, building operation, residential water use
and much, much, more. If you are a housing professional, this
biweekly newsletter is for you.
Stay up-to-date with the latest socio-economic housing research
findings and events. Research topics include sustainable community
planning; improving housing market effectiveness, housing and
population health, updates on household and housing conditions
and trends, and housing solutions for at risk groups
such as persons with disabilities, seniors, Aboriginals, immigrants,
low-income Canadians and the homeless and more.
For information on Canadian housing technology and the latest socio-economic
housing research findings and events, subscribe or to view past issues
at:
Your Next Move - Choosing a Neighbourhood with Sustainable
Features This guide is for anyone planning a move and considering
neighbourhood features, like walkability and access to daily
destinations by foot, bike or bus. It describes the benefits
of choosing neighbourhoods with these features and provides
photos of real Canadian neighbourhoods. (Product no. 62180 http://www.cmhc.ca/od/?pid=62180)
Sustainable Community Planning and Development: Participation
Tools and Practices
Highlights from a manual describing the strategic development
of effective long term participative community planning initiatives.
(Product no. 62978 - Research Report; Product no. 62767 - Research
Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62767)
Brownfields
Brownfield
redevelopment offers opportunities to manage urban growth, revitalize
older neighbourhoods, lower municipal infrastructure costs and increase
municipal property tax revenues. Despite the obstacles facing this
type of development, successful redevelopment projects have been
built across Canada. CMHC has profiled 11 case studies which provide
examples of residential projects that have overcome the barriers
to brownfield redevelopment, and initiatives that are designed to
encourage brownfield redevelopment. The brownfield case studies
are available on the web at http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/sucopl/sucopl_004.cfm.
Brownfield Redevelopment for Housing in Canada - Case
Studies
(Product no. 65218 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=65218)
Brownfield Redevelopment for Housing - Literature Review
and Analysis
This literature review and survey of brownfield experts from
across Canada examines recent progress in addressing traditional
barriers to brownfield redevelopment for housing and highlights
emerging issues. Liability, regulations and difficulty securing
financing continue to top the list of barriers. The study concludes
that the relationships between barriers must be better understood
so that policy makers and planners can realistically assess
how well current and proposed legislation, regulations, incentives,
planning and other initiatives are addressing them. (Product
no. 63948 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63948).
Safe Housing for Lightly Contaminated Lands
Abandoned urban industrial lands are being redeveloped for housing,
many with residual contamination on the site. Developers, environmental
consultants, and regulatory bodies often use site specific risk
assessments to determine the degree of risk to occupants due
to the unremoved contaminants. Risk assessments predict the
potential exposure to contaminants that residents of the buildings
will face. This project was only partially successful, primarily
because the builders or developers of brownfields did not fully
participate in the study. In the one case that fully met the
study parameters, the actual risks were in line with those predicted,
and fell within acceptable guidelines. (Product no. 63382 -
Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63382)
Defining the Convective Driving Force for Soil Gas Intrusion
into Houses
A definition of the role of cross-envelope pressure on the contamination
of indoor air quality by soil gas intrusion. (Product no. 62890
- Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62890)
An Introduction to Environmental Site Assessments
This primer describes the nature and extent of contaminated
sites, and explains in non-technical language the structured
three-phase process of conducting an environmental site assessment
(ESA). Anyone involved in real estate dealings will find this
publication useful, as more and more organizations are requiring
ESAs as a condition of transaction. (Product no. 62102; http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62102)
Evaluation of Site-Specific Risk Assessment for Contaminated
Lands
Human health risk assessment is becoming a common tool for improving
risk management decisions in the redevelopment of contaminated
sites. This study examined the current practices and associated
variability among practitioners of contaminated sites risk assessment
in Canada. (Technical Series 97-113 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/97-113.pdf)
Field Tests of Remedial Measures for Houses Affected by
Hazardous Lands
Urban development has encroached on hazardous lands such a old
industrial sites or landfills. Problems on or near these sites
has prompted the study of soil gas emission and control measures.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of four remedial measures
for the control of soil gas (e.g., methane) intrusion into houses.
(Technical Series 95-203 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/95-203.pdf)
Soil Gases and Housing: A Guide for Municipalities
This guide focuses on soil gas infiltration into residential
buildings from hazardous lands, i.e., landfill, commercial and
industrial sites. This publication is designed to build awareness
of the issues surrounding soil gases and housing so that municipalities
can take appropriate steps to minimize potential problems. (Technical
Series 93-202 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/93-202.pdf)
Lead Precautionary Measures
Exposure to lead is an important health concern, especially
for young children and pregnant women. This publication deals
specifically with dust generated from leaded paint, especially
during a renovation. It offers information for those considering
a home renovation where lead-based paint is or may be a factor.
(Technical Series 92-206 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/92-206.pdf)
Evaluation Protocol for Site Toxicity
There is an increased awareness about the environmental conditions
found at active and former industrial sites. This is in part
because of the growing trend for urban residential areas to
encroach on these industrial sites or former sites to be redeveloped
for residential use. This project was undertaken to develop
a comprehensive and detailed Phase 1 environmental site investigation
review. (Technical Series 92-205 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/92-205.pdf
)
Study of Houses Affected by Hazardous Lands
Soil gas infiltration into houses is a contributing factor to
the degradation of indoor air quality. Housing located on or
near contaminated lands may be more apt to suffer from soil
gas problems. This project provides a qualitative breakdown
of the incidence of soil gas infiltration problems in housing
in Canada. (Technical Series 92-201 - Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/92-201.pdf)
Residential
Intensification
This series includes 45 case studies on residential intensification
from across Canada. By interviewing developers, municipalities and
occupants, the case studies highlight the challenges and innovative
solutions of intensification projects such as infill developments,
conversions, brownfield and greyfield redevelopments. There are
also case studies of municipal and other government initiatives
that have helped developers overcome obstacles to residential intensification,
including financial incentives, such as waiving fees, providing
grants and tax credits. All case studies are available on the web
at http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/sucopl/
Residential Street Pattern Design
This research makes the case for fusing the grid pattern of
the traditional city and conventional suburban street patterns
to improve infrastructure efficiency and neighbourhood quality.
The fused grid pattern creates people-friendly environments
with increased open space and safe, sociable streets while making
walking easier. (Product no. 62486 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62486)
Applying Fused Grid Planning in Stratford, Ontario
This study explains how Stratford, Ontario
studied three options for a new residential neighbourhood, and
selected a hybrid fused grid model. (Product no. 63760 Research
Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63760)
Sustainable Community Design Demonstration in Okotoks,
Alberta: Testing Consumer Receptivity
This research describes and illustrates a community design in
Okotoks and summarizes the findings of a study that tested consumer
receptivity to sustainable design features. (Product no. 63046
- Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63046)
The Headwaters Project: East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept
Plan This study describes and illustrates a sustainable neighbourhood
in Surrey,
British Columbia,
and examines the environmental and economic benefits of this
design over a more conventional suburban design. (Product no.
62488 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62488)
Transportation
and Infrastructure
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Travel: A Tool for Evaluating
Neighbourhood Sustainability Insights into how communities can be designed and planned
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from passenger travel
in urban areas. This includes a spreadsheet tool that estimates
weekday urban travel and resulting GHG emissions based on neighbourhood
design, location and demographic variables. (Product No. 62142
Research Report/CD-ROM and Product no. 62424 Research Highlight
http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62424)
Costing Mechanism to Facilitate Sustainable Community Planning
The report represents the first phase of a two-phase project,
to develop a costing tool to aid in sustainable community development,
particularly in comparing the full, long-term costs of green
infrastructure and various development scenarios. Phase 1 includes
a discussion of community cost factors, background research
including some initial cost data and recommendations for the
tool development. (Product no. 64126 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=64126)
Integrated
Community Design Process
Charrettes are increasingly used as planning tools for bringing
together relevant stakeholders in the community design process,
such as engineers, architects, planners, politicians and citizens.
These publications offer advice on conducting charrettes and provide
specific examples of the charrette process in action in Canada.
Sustainable Community Planning and Development:
Design Charrette Planning Guide (Product no. 62982 Research Report; Product no. 62779
Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62779)
City of Yorkton Downtown Redevelopment Planning Charrette(Product
no. 63970 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63970)
Town of Milton Eco-tech Village Pilot Project Urban Design Charrette:
Making Choices Towards Sustainability
(Product no. 63434 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63434)
Tools for Planning Long-term Urban Sustainability: The CitiesPlus
Design Charrettes
(Product no. 63417 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63417)
Calgary Integrated Design and Sustainable, Affordable Housing
Charrette
(Product no. 63390 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63390)
Integrated Design Charrette for a Sustainable UniverCity
Community
(Product no. 63214 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63214)
Southeast False Creek Design Charrette: Exploring High Density,
Sustainable Urban Development(Product no. 62494 Research
Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62494)
Planning
Policy and Practice
Smart
Growth in Canada: A Report
Card
This study examined how smart growth principles have been implemented
in Canada to date and their success in
achieving their goals through illustrative case studies (Product
no. 64931 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=64931)
Sustainability, Planning Practice, Housing Form and Environmental
Protection in the Toronto Regions Oak Ridges Moraine The research focused on the impact and role of housing on
growth and institutional conflict in the Toronto regions Oak Ridges Moraine. (Product
no. 64062 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=64062)
Accessory Apartment Regulations in Census Metropolitan Areas
in Canada Accessory apartments represent an affordable housing option
and can be a positive component of residential intensification
and sustainability. This study identifies and documents zoning
regulations in municipalities within Canadas proposed and existing Census
Metropolitan Areas (CMAs), and summarizes their provisions for
accessory apartments. (Product no. 65025 Research Highlight
http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=65025)
Building Communities: First Nations Best Practices for Healthy
Housing and Sustainable community Development An easy-to-use guide for Aboriginal Communities on how to
create healthy and sustainable housing developments. (Product
no. 62317 Research Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62317)
Comprehensive Community Planning: Experiences in Aboriginal
Communities
A summary of the community planning experiences of some First
Nations, Inuit and Northern communities across Canada, using
30 case studies. (Product no. 63596 Research Highlight
http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63596)
Low
Maintenance Landscapes
Landscape
Guide for Canadian Homes This guide helps Canadian homeowners meet their landscape
needs while respecting the natural environment and saving time
and money. Profusely illustrated with many colour photos,
drawings and technical solutions, the guide provides practical
tips on design, installation and maintenance of plants, soil,
pavements, decks and much more. (Product no. 63523 http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63523)
About Your House A fact sheet series providing practical tips on a range
of housing topics, including low-maintenance landscapes:
The
Housing Construction Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
for the 21st Century This study examines the evolution of the private new house
building and renovation construction industry in Canada in the
1990s, the industry's current and future challenges for the
period to 2010 and the opportunities for the industry to respond
to these challenges. (Product no. 63210 Research Highlight
http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=63210)
Survey of Canadian Municipalities: Regulatory
Measures for Housing Affordability and Choice
Survey results that explore issues and activities associated
with planning, regulations and approval processes that affect
housing affordability and choice. (Product no. 62506 Research
Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62506)
Municipal Planning for Affordable Housing
A review of planning and financial mechanisms used to influence
affordable housing construction. Product no. 62462 Research
Highlight http://www.cmhc.ca/OD/?pid=62462)
Publications
from Other Organizations
Promoting public health through Smart Growth: Building healthier
communities through transportation and land use policies and
practices,byLawrence Frank, Sarah Kavage and Todd Litman.
Prepared for SmartGrowthBC, 2006. This report explains how our built environment shapes
our transportation choices, and in turn, human health. It reviews
the existing research for a range of transportation-related
health impacts and offers general recommendations for how land
use policies, investments and actions can help to achieve healthy
communities. (www.smartgrowth.bc.ca)
2003 and Beyond: A Smart Approach for Ontario's Urban Centres,
by the Honourable Tina Molinari, Associate Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, Urban, April 2003.
(/PDFS/2003_and_Beyond_Urban_Centres_Apr_2003.pdf)
CMHC
Disclaimer
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is the Government of
Canada's National Housing Agency. CMHC engages in research and produces
publications on the subject matter relating to sustainable communities.
Visit: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/sucopl/index.cfm.
Any views expressed in any materials provided on this Web site are those
of their authors and should not be attributed to CMHC which does not
assume any responsibility or liability for those views or materials.