On Monday, a symposium on “building for sustainability” was held in Canmore, where industry experts met to discuss climate-aware designs for new builds or retrofits on buildings, and how this connects to urban design and land use planning.Mayors of the towns of Canmore and Banff, alongside Calgary, all spoke about the housing pressures that exist in their communities.
Ian O'Donnell, the executive director of Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association , one of the co-organizers of the event, said there are a lot of competing pressures for rapidly growing communities to provide housing options that are both low cost and environmentally friendly. "I think there's a palpable feeling in the room that there's a climate crisis and that we need to do what we can to make carbon-friendly buildings of the future."
"What I think has to be done is we need to look at the absolute biggest priorities and in Canmore, affordability and housing, all while there is a climate crisis going on. But I think we can deal with all of those in the same conversation."