Jericho Hill Village: exploring the spatial design implications of applying ecologically based design parameters to a suburban community in the Greater Vancouver Region

This thesis begins with an examination of the social and ecological problems related to contemporary suburban development in North America and recently emerging factors that indicate an alternative approach is not only necessary but already in process. It explores the field of ecology to better understand how basic ecosystem function might be used to help organize this alternative. With the understanding gained from ecology and the information gleaned from the precedent of pilot projects and other innovative ecologically based design explorations, a series of ecological design parameters are developed to assist in the planning and design of a more sustainable suburban community. The ecological design parameters are then applied to an existing suburban community in the Township of Langley, subject to urban growth pressures to understand the spatial implications and opportunities of an ecologically based design approach. In the process of exploring different design options it becomes clear that ecological features can be embodied in the spatial form of the community, and that their contribution makes the community more legible to its residents and develops a stronger “sense of place” than the conventional suburb. A comparative analysis between the proposed Jericho Hill Village and Walnut Grove, a nearby conventional suburban community also in Langley is provided to illustrate the fundamental differences between the two design approaches. A discussion of the importance of energy and water to the community’s design is provided. The thesis concludes by noting some of the impediments posed by the current development process and some of the opportunities that might change the status quo.Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofGraduat