I don't buy it.
Without going into a huge verbage of my opinion on the BS hype surrounding eco and green that people buy into constantly, common sense dictates that anything 'sold' or 'marketted' with the term 'green' or 'eco' in it, will be jacked up in price.
So any affordability gained from the lifting of the artificially limited housing market in Vancouver, will be gained back when developers tell everyone their windows in the new eco-density development are magical and by reflecting 20% extra Sun, they reduce the need for cooling during the summer and as a result that feature means your place should cost $35,000 more. And logic also dictates around here that density = higher prices. I can buy a 1500 sq. foot townhouse here in Surrey for $200,000. I couldn't hope to buy anything in Infinity, Sky Towers, or any other dense development even just here also in Surrey at 1/3rd that sq. footage, for that price. I'd pay higher.
You're going to pay no matter what, there will be no saving. The city can argue that densification means less traveling means less need for cars means less need for mass distribution of goods across a large region means you can ride your bike instead of drive a car, I can go on and on. But at the end of the day there is a cost to that. It doesn't reduce affordability because you have to pay for those conveniences because the marketting world sees the above as 'gains' over the old way and gains = more money always. Why are appartments on the 30th floor worth more than the 1st floor, exact same layout? View. View is seen as a gain thus you pay more. Same goes for eco-density. It's a gain, for the environment and your health, so you will pay trust me. And people will pay and smile about it because they are convinced that they are saving the world which they aren't really in the grand scheme of things.
Case and point:
Toyota Prius:
Gas Mileage = 8.46L / 100KM (lower better)
Average Price = $23,370 USD
Toyota Corolla:
Gas Mileage = 7.92L / 100KM (lower better)
Average Price = $17,655 USD
The green people would tell you the Hybrid Prius is the wave of the future. It's more friendly for the environment and the technology more advanced so we should buy one.
I don't know about you, but according to the numbers above, the Corolla, a standard gas guzzling non-hybrid, goes further for the same amount of fuel. Wouldn't that mean the Corolla would be better for the environment, or more 'green'? And check the price difference.
Like I said, people need to watch out when green and eco enter into any word. Sure there is some validity but when you're talking politicians (in this case the mayor and council of Vancouver) or business people, they use the words just to milk more money out of us all.
Thus why I have my doubts that this initiative will not end up driving down affordability in Vancouver even further and that they are just trying to cash into this fad to get re-elected. Oh right it's an election year this year isn't it? Hmm...
I don't know about you, but I personally would like to hear one of the mayors in this region say that they have a new initiative called the passing of a bylaw that will require all gas stations to install infrastructure and support hydrogen fuel by 2010. The only reason we don't have true environmentally friendly cars is because we lack the infrastructure. If they really want to help the environment (which they don't), then someone would step up to the plate and take a stand against business. I mean look what happened when the Province passed a law forcing gas stations to have pre-sales for gas before you pump. It got done. And fast. Let's see some real eco-stuff for a change, not just fluff.
I mean let's face it, the problem people have with cars is that they pollute. If we actually spent all this effort on making cars NOT pollute, would that be easier and better in the long run? Then you can drive around in your non-polluting car all you want. Who cares if the sprawl is 50 miles. You're driving a tree. One of these days I'm going to run for council for one of these cities. I just have to wait until I'm older and more bitter... oh wait.
I could be off my rocker though who knows...it wouldn't be the first time. It's also midnight and I'm a bit tired thus pissy, so take what I say with a grain of salt and bias.