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Climate policy – specifically policies focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in buildings – are driving some of the largest changes in the construction industry today. Speakers from Bold Construction and Ledcor join City of Vancouver and BC Building Standards and Safety Branch representatives to discuss major regulatory moves coming from local governments in Metro Vancouver in the next few years, while industry leaders will discuss successes and lessons learned in developing high-performance buildings.

VSW's 90+ excellent conference and community events kick off today. We’ve taken the opportunity of highlighting a handful of sessions that could provide a well-rounded experience of what the coming week offers across key pillars for building and thriving in our innovation economy.

Presented by the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC), Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), and the Zero Emissions Building Exchange (ZEBx), this series guides attendees through best practices, new building policies and business growth opportunities to help construction businesses hone and maintain their competitive edges in a transforming industry.

In this edition of What We're Reading, we examine three recent research reports that provide a clear picture of current and ongoing issues, and potential solutions, to the difficulties facing small business in Metro Vancouver

Yesterday, the British High Commission and Canada Climate Law Initiative recognized VEC Director Bryan Buggey as one of 26 Canadian Climate Champions working towards building a net-zero future.

In recent years, Vancouver construction businesses have shown incredible leadership and innovation, particularly as we move towards net-zero emissions and the more widespread use of mass timber, but threats and challenges – such as an ageing workforce – remain.

Only eight months ago, Netflix took a long-term lease on a studio facility in the Vancouver region – its second dedicated studio space in BC – significantly increasing its investment into the province. Netflix also continues to demonstrate its support of BC-owned IP through its multi-year anchor sponsorship of the Pacific Screenwriting Program.

While the task of reversing climate change seems monumental, change is already happening at the city level.

The VEC in partnership with City of Vancouver is seeking a multi-disciplinary consulting team to conduct a circular economic study of the food sector in the greater Vancouver region.

The next frontier in aviation, advanced air mobility (AAM) facilitates the development of airspace above cities and exurban areas. Learn more about this emerging sector.

Vancouver Economic Commission has debuted Project Greenlight, a membership-based platform that connects public and private enterprises (members) with local and global innovators.

Before the pandemic, this industry was growing faster than the provincial economy. The tourism and hospitality industry includes the restaurant and food services sector. Collectively, this sector contributes over $14.4 billion to the Metro Vancouver economy and supports more than 105,000 jobs.

The report draws on contemporary research to understand the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on economic activity in Vancouver’s Central Business District, and how this could impact small- and medium-sized businesses, office workers and residents.

During the March 5 webinar, panelists spoke about how economic reconciliation and integration of Indigenous values into GDP economics are mechanisms that could improve wellbeing for all, about the importance of entrepreneurship, affordable housing, and transformative transportation to build a just, inclusive and resilient future for the region.

Early on, the pandemic and its associated health measures had predictable and devastating initial effects on sharing economy businesses. However, additional preparation, perseverance and proactive communication with members across each platform paid off.

Real estate is a massive industry in Vancouver where every dollar counts. Buildings are also the largest source of greenhouse gases, both from burning natural gas and in the material waste the built environment produces in construction and demolition.

Last November, the Canadian and Nordic circular economy hackathon took place in an effort to foster connections and knowledge-sharing between Nordic and Canadian companies through an intensive period of design or planning activity. Read the recap.