VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
Not a member yet
25170 research outputs found
Sort by
Building energy retrofit strategies in community housing in British Columbia
No full textThis study aims to benchmark multi-residential community housing buildings in BC to determine how energy performance varies between them and what factors may affect energy usage. This study also examined the costs and benefits of different retrofit scenarios. To this end, I used a mixed-method approach, including desktop research, quantitative methods, and sampling of twenty-three buildings managed and operated by BC Housing and CoolAid Society. The study started by developing a dataset of community housing buildings using data collected from housing providers. It was then followed by calculating and assessing Energy Performance Indicators using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, utility bills, and building characteristics data. Upon completing building benchmarking, buildings were ranked based on their performance and factors affecting energy usage were analyzed using regression analysis. Following this, the costs and benefits of different retrofit scenarios, including energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies, were evaluated to find what scenario can deliver the most benefits at lower costs. Results showed that the high-rise buildings in the dataset performed worse than low-rise and mid-rise buildings in the dataset and also than other high-rise buildings in BC. The study also demonstrated that building energy performance is affected by various factors, including mechanical systems (e.g., gas-fired boiler), building characteristics (e.g., floor area), and the number of occupants. Lastly, the analysis revealed that different retrofit scenarios differ in energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and utility savings. Fuel switching in space and water heating demonstrates potential for delivering significant savings in energy, greenhouse gases, and utility bills.
Circular economy & housing sustainability : opportunities and applications in BC
No full textHousing sustainability is a significant component of sustainable development. Typical modern housing production has caused severe environmental problems, including massive resource consumption and waste generation. Current research has been limited to the consideration of carbon solutions in a building’s operational phase. Circular economy (CE) is an emergent interdisciplinary approach aimed at increasing the efficiency of material use by innovative designs in a product’s lifecycle. This thesis reviews the concepts of CE and housing sustainability, examines the assessments, applications and barriers of CE in housing, and investigates circular adoptions by BC governments, NGOs, and businesses. Research methods include qualitative methodology, desktop research, interviews, and case studies. Recommendations for BC public and private sectors consist of regenerative leadership, development of public policies in waste and embodied carbon reduction, advanced business models focusing on material innovation, circular design, deconstruction, and an integrated supply chain. This research can contribute to the sustainable development of BC housing industry by implementing circular principles
Teachers' collaborations in a secondary school learning commons: Designing for success
Get PDFThis is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal of Library Administration on October 24, 2023, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2023.2262366.Few studies focus on secondary school teachers’ reactions to learning commons with respect to their collaborations with each other, and with teaching librarians—especially before and after a retrofit. The present case study gathered data from Canadian teachers about their former library, as well as a new learning commons. Teachers’ attitudes about the learning commons were significantly more positive compared to the previous library. Technology, communication, and flexibility were aspects noted to predict satisfaction. Teachers were concerned with the loss of desktop computers. This study showcases the importance of (and a method for) asking teachers how a learning commons affects their work.This research was partially funded by Vancouver Island University’s Research, Scholarly Activity, and Curriculum Development GrantAccepted manuscript versio
Blue hydrogen co-generation as an energy vector for a sustainable future
No full textHydrogen has been identified as a potential energy vector to decarbonize future energy use. For hydrogen to fulfill its potential, it must be produced in sustainable ways such that economics, environmental, social, political, and cultural aspects of its production are all considered and expectations of each are met. A blue hydrogen production process using oxy-fuel combustion, electricity co-generation and a closed loop system allowing virtually all the produced CO2 to be captured is evaluated. The resulting production process shows that hydrogen can be produced in Alberta meeting the sustainability criteria. Emissions from production (Scope 1), inputs (Scope 2), and final usage (Scope 3) totaling 25.1 g-CO2e/MJLHV meeting Canada’s low carbon definition of less than 36.4 g-CO2e/MJLHV emissions. Additionally, opportunities to further reduce the carbon footprint such as substituting biogas for methane and hydrogen fuel cells to generate the electricity needs of the process are explored
Aging with Dignity: 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors in British Columbia
No full textDignity Seniors Society of Vancouver (DSS) is a 10-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to providing tailored information and programming for 2SLGBTQI+ seniors and seniors’ service providers in British Columbia, with a focus on health, housing, community building and end-of-life planning/finances. In 2022, DSS sponsored a needs assessment to document current needs of 2SLGBTQI+ seniors in British Columbia. Individuals who were 55 years or older, lived in British Columbia, and identified as part of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities were invited to participate in interviews or an online survey
The art of special education
No full textThis self-study investigates an elementary resource teacher’s use of the creative process to support and foster the social and emotional needs of students with diverse abilities. Self-study methodology provides an avenue for teachers to focus on their practice to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their pedagogy by furthering their insights both as teachers and researchers. This process effectively brings about change and provides new and unique contributions to the field of special education. Written journal entries including mind maps, paper and digital collages and critical friend conversations were collected to provide data. This study provided new and informative knowledge and insights to create change within my approach to teaching by reaffirming my use of the creative process to plan and implement supports to meet the social and emotional needs of students with diverse abilities. Divergent thinking processes such as rhizomatic thinking, harnessing intuition, taking risks, and embracing the unpredictable nature of a classroom were key illuminations. This study spotlights the important role that creativity plays within classrooms and the potential of the self-study process to further teachers’ capacity to better support all learners.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27362/Gaetanne.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
The role of Montessori Cosmic Education in development of character in elementary children
No full textA key component of Montessori elementary education is the practice of teaching what Dr Maria Montessori called Cosmic Education. Cosmic Education hinges on the connection between all living things throughout history and is used in Montessori education as a way to present the world to the child, allowing him or her to realize the special role each person has in humanity. Cosmic Education is intended to inspire a culture of respect, compassion, empathy and community in the Montessori classroom environment. This research inquiry intends to look at the role Cosmic Education plays in developing character skills in Montessori elementary students, how character education supports perspectives on social justice and development of moral citizenship and the implications for the future.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27477/Wedgebury.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Micro retail activity nodes: A planning tool to revitalize the suburbs
No full textThe status quo suburbs of Canada and the U.S. sprawl out in inefficient, unsustainable, environmentally destructive, and economically harmful ways. The concept of Micro Retail Activity Nodes (MRAN) when utilized as a planning tool aims to help solve these pressing matters by encouraging and enabling densification of suburban spaces and supporting community activity nodes via incremental infill.
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and define the concept of Micro Retail (MR) and explore the broad applications of this cutting-edge planning tool. A look into the history of the suburbs, an examination of the detriments of suburban sprawl, along with Nanaimo-specific case studies all provide context for the importance of micro retail activity nodes. An examination of other urban design movements such as the 15-Minute City, Smart Growth America, and Congress for the New Urbanism serve as examples of successful movements and how those principles can be applied to MR.
This practicum establishes a scoring criteria to judge the viability of MRANs on potential sites anywhere in Canada and the U.S. In Chapter 11, a design intervention for a vacant lot in Nanaimo shows what an MRAN can look like via an aerial drawing and its corresponding precedents.
The following paper hopes to embolden planners, politicians, and civilians with a planning tool that will make their suburbs more walkable, economically robust, environmentally conscious, socially engaging, and more liveable overall.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26925/MessinaThesis.pdf?sequence=3Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning
Student self-assessment in classrooms today
No full textSelf-assessment helps students take ownership of their own learning by reflecting on their own learning. In B.C., the Ministry of Education values self-assessment and will be requiring teachers to have students self-assess on the Core Competencies on at least two reporting documents in the 2023/24 school year (Ministry of Education for British Columbia, 2022d). This needs-based research focused on what do teachers know and need to know about self-assessment. Information about student self-assessment was gathered from an online survey and a literature review. Ministerial documents for British Columbia about self-assessment on the Core Competencies were also examined. B.C. teachers were asked to participate in an online survey and answer series of questions about self-assessment. Participants were elementary, secondary, special education, and English Language Learner (ELL) teachers and were mostly from the Langley School District with a few teachers from other B.C. districts. Findings from the data collected generated five themes: teacher perception of student self-assessment, teacher use of self-assessment, self-assessment and daily schedule, special education teachers and classroom teachers working together on self-assessment, and the need for collaboration and exemplars.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27319/Jhajj.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Just a number?: Aging demographics and the development review process
No full textWith every year the demographic profile of Canada grows older and, with this, our approach to planning age-friendly communities must grow wiser. Planning initiatives exist for improving communities to serve the needs of older adults, particularly persons 65+. While older adults are much like any other citizen, differences exist in the areas of disability, health, independence, diversity, inequality, mobility and economics. Many of these considerations become especially pressing over 85. By 2050, Canada is projected to experience a tripling of persons 85+, the cohort with the most specific housing and health needs. The scope of this research is the planning processes of small (<15,000 population) incorporated municipalities in British Columbia (BC), governed by the Local Government Act (LGA). In the context of the housing crisis and changing legislation, this thesis recommends strategies for incorporating age-friendly goals into community building through the development review process (DRP) to maximize implementation.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27259/McLeanThesis.pdf?sequence=3Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences