Sustainable housing in the Information Age

Nineteenth and twentieth century urban planning in North America saw the separation of residential suburbs from the noise, traffic and pollution of urban industrial areas. Consequently, industrial, residential and commercial zones were clustered into segregated areas. Today the ever growing presence of information technology and global networks, have blurred the boundaries between urban and suburban areas. In a parallel manner, sustainable development has increased significantly in popularity due to the growing threat of global warming.;This Masters Degree Project (MDP) project addresses innovative methods of applying new information technology for the advancement of sustainable architectural practice. By exploring methods of applying and integrating technological systems in urban infrastructure, we can begin to understand how these systems can be applied to create more sustainable communities.;The role of technology in sustainable development challenges society to see past conventional interpretations of a building. Buildings are regarded as a static form of shelter, but have the potential to become dynamic forms of architecture, capable of adapting to the changing needs of society.;The Port Lands area in Toronto offers such an example. The Port Lands played a significant role in the development of the City of Toronto in the early 20th Century, as it was the largest depot of fossil fuel storage at that time. Presently, the Port Lands are the largest brownfield site along Toronto's Waterfront. This area remains a scar, as a result of Toronto's urban development and is a continued reminder of its neglect and misuse. Recently, the City of Toronto's Waterfront Revitalization Taskforce (TWRT) has taken a firm initiative to redevelop this area into a diverse community of mixed-use activities. In light of this, the Port Lands area has the potential of establishing the City of Toronto as a leader in sustainable practice.;The site for this MDP is located at 222 Cherry Street, Toronto, Ontario, and will follow the framework set out by the TWRT. The proposed project will include ground floor retail and medium density housing.;Key words. sustainability, technology, medium density housing.