SunLIVING - Task 11: Establish Targets

Task 11: Establish Targets

Identify relevant case studies

Progressive case studies and best practices performance relevant to the proposed sustainable neighbourhood project are identified by the sustainability consultant to provide a sense of what has been achieved elsewhere. They provide benchmarks and standards against which comparisons can be made when developing scenarios, establishing targets and determining site strategies.

	Informing Tools	Case Studies
	EHUV Case Study	Benchmark Case Studies – SuN Guidelines Appendix Three

Assess scenario performance for each indicator

The digitized scenario models are used to query the performance of each indicator for the different development alternatives. These provide project-specific benchmarks which create a spectrum of performance and facilitate the target-setting process. Conducted by the sustainability consultant, this activity requires sufficient time and resources to allow for a number of iterations.

Quote Gandhi

Prepare benchmark scales

Benchmark scales offer an important tool to help evaluate what is possible compared to existing and preferred performance. Often represented in a graphic and user-friendly way, benchmark scales are prepared for each indicator by the sustainability consultant. Typically, they are populated with the following information:

baseline or existing performance;
typical performance of conventionally designed projects;
progressive case study and best practices performance; and
thresholds (maximum and minimum limitations).

Benchmark scales represent an important tool that can be used to engage stakeholders in a discussion of how far along the ‘green’ spectrum they hope to advance the sustainable neighbourhood project.

	Informing Tools	Benchmark Scales
	EHUV Case Study	Performance Assessment – SuN Guidelines Appendix Two

Identify preliminary targets

Targets specify a preferred level of performance for each indicator. They provide a way to define and measure needs and expectations. Using the benchmark scales as a tool, the sustainability consultant proposes appropriate targets for each indicator.

Deliver target-setting workshop

Stakeholders are brought together in a workshop facilitated by the sustainability consultant. The intent of the workshop is to test the proposed targets against stakeholder views and expectations and to reach a consensus for each performance target as an input to the design charrette. Presented with the benchmark scales, the participants evaluate the proposed targets relative to the case study and scenario benchmarks.

It is important that targets are considered over a long timeframe and evaluated in light of the sustainable neighbourhood principles and the project vision. Targets are not binding, but simply offer a tool for identifying the desired level of performance for each goal. As such, they are often determined in an iterative manner, particularly over the course of the design charrette when the feasibility of each target can be assessed.

Engagement Tools

Target-setting Workshop

Additional Support

Smart Growth on the Ground - www.sgog.bc.ca

EHUV Case Study

Goals & Targets Workshop Presentation

Performance Assessment – SuN Guidelines Appendix Two

Confirm project targets

Based on input from the workshop, the sustainability consultant finalizes a set of project targets. The list is reviewed by the key stakeholders, refined as necessary and shared as an important milestone with the broader stakeholder group. Ultimately, targets are verified through the charrette process in terms of feasibility and timeline.