By adapting these
strategies to meet the unique requirements of the Westhills site, the
developers have created a warm and welcoming community that honor’s their
foundation principles of sustainability, affordability, design excellence and
quality construction.
Due in large part to
the vision of Langford Mayor Stewart Young and Council, the Westhills Master
Plan was arrived at through a design charette process involving a variety of
stakeholders and consultants. These included The US Green Building Council, the
Canada Green Building Council, the BC Ministry of Community Services and the
Design Centre for Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Through
this planning process the City of Langford has been able to form a cohesive
partnership with the owner of Westhills Land Corporation, with a commitment to
excellence in environmental design.
The resulting
Westhills Master Plan embodies their goal of creating a unique, large-scale
master-planned community based on principals of social and environmental sustainability.
Major guiding factors of the design and implementation of Westhills are:
considerations of location, alternative transportation modes, environmental
preservation, community agriculture, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere,
materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. These
characteristics are demonstrated in the creation of approximately 6000 new
residential units, with supporting commercial, civic and educational
facilities. Approximately 84 hectares (208 acres) is designated as park and
open space (equivalent to 40% of the total land area).
The Westhills vision
includes buildings that will accommodate both live and work spaces, a village Centre,
neighbourhood retail service centres, an internal commuter bus service, and a
commuter rail station. High quality public spaces, mixed uses, cultural and
educational facilities and residences will provide for a community available to
all ages and various income levels.
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