Canadians want environmentally-friendly condos: poll

As Canadians become more environmentally conscious, the demand for environmentally-friendly condominiums close to public transit could increase, suggests a recent poll.

The online poll was conducted by Ipsos-Reid from March 1-5. Of the 725 adults surveyed, 45 per cent stated that living in an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient home was very important. Another 45 per cent said it was somewhat important.

Living close to public transit was a high priority for 80 per cent of those questioned, with 45 per cent claiming it to be very important and 35 per cent saying it is somewhat important. Additionally, 63 per cent of those polled say a lack of energy efficiency would dissuade them from purchasing a condo.

Joan Dal Bianco, vice-president of real estate secured lending at TD Bank Financial Group, believes the demand for condos with energy-efficient features and close proximately to public transit will increase in coming years.

"I think people in general will become more environmentally aware," Dal Bianco tells Axiom News. "It seems to be important to many. I think as people become more aware it becomes a prominent issue … I think it will become a more important factor as people choose to move to condos."

Dan McDermott, director of the Ontario chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada, a grassroots environmental organization, is pleased with the concerns Canadians appear to be showing about the environment.

McDermott says that Canadian inner-city condo sales could increase in coming years as people become weary of long drives to and from work.

"The idea of spending four hours commuting is a living hell for many people," he says.

McDermott points out that increased inner-city condo living reduces environmental concerns associated with urban expansion. What needs to be examined more closely, he says, is the development of sustainable communities as areas such as southern Ontario continue to grow.

"The idea of sustainable communities to most people with any type of planning focus is obviously the direction we need to go with," he says.