New Urbanism, redevelopment, community design, sustainable development.

[crispini]

Green living. How should our neighborhoods look in light of peak oil? We drive too much. How do we redevelop this legacy neighborhood we live in, into a small town of 3,000? I'm up late, I'm ruminating about how the spaces we live in and how they shape our lives. I stayed up too late nattering about zoning with some neighbors and a builder and a city council guy. Anyone around here think about this stuff? Anyone got links, books to read, ideas to share? I found this:
http://www.newurbannews.com/AboutNewUrbanism.html
I like it. This thread will probably sink like a stone but that's OK. I'm tired and wired and need to go to bed. If you've got something to think about this, think it here. :hi:

[pstans]

1. Currently job hunting

and I will be looking to live in a walkable neighborhood. If I have drive a distance to wear I work, I will be getting a Prius Hybrid or maybe even Biodiesel. Thanks for the link.

[Drum]

2. akin to that:

I just saw this item on the AP a minute ago:

Brad Pitt Talks Architecture on PBS

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Brad Pitt is bringing his love of architecture to the public -- public television, that is.

Pitt will narrate ''Design: e2,'' a series about environmentally friendly architecture, which is slated to air in June on PBS, a spokeswoman from kontentreal productions said Tuesday.

The six-part series will focus on worldwide efforts to build environmentally friendly structures through sustainable architecture and design.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Pitt.html
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In the larger sense of your original post, I too am interested, and wonder how better designs can reduce our (negative) impact on the land, air, and water.

[crispini]

3. Related thread in LBN

Communities march against McMansions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2191323

[crispini]

4. Good blog

http://www.deanterry.com/blog/index.html

[crispini]

5. Not So Big House

http://www.notsobighouse.com/

[sandnsea]

6. Some links

I collected and books I chose. Not that I'm an expert, just that I tried to get some useable stuff. Hope it helps. I can sign you up to blog if you'd like to share the process of your community. It would be a cool thing to watch develop.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/community.htm

[crispini]

10. Great website! Thanks!

[MazeRat7]

7. For what its worth...

I've been planning my early retirement which includes land in the mountains of NM, off-grid power, satellite communication (net/phone), crops, green home, etc...etc...etc....

I think this is something that needs to be personal. I've got 3 other families interested and we are working on a plan. If everyone found 2-3 families with the same goals and acted on them.. it would be a great story for others less brave to follow.

MZr7

[opihimoimoi]

8. Its the Level 3 way of structuring our Cities and towns....

Per Capita energy consumption is 300% or more, Lower than the present. The Green way of living...Requirements: Sustainabilty at least 80% and Peace.

Shoreline cities: using the tides to reap energy, the tempreture diff if near thermoclime waters 40 degrees F to make electricity (read OTEC) (John Craven)

Alpine cities, using gravity to assist in energy savings...

Plans and Solutions for: Earthquake/Tornados/Hurricanes/Drought/Disease/Fire/Rain Storm/Flood/etc

75 to 90 % Inhouse food production

Recycling for steel, glass, paper/wood, copper/aluminum/brass, etc.

Central heating / cooling

etc etc.

[northofdenali]

9. We are working on semi-sustainability now-

the "Not So Big House", etc. I'm in wait mode at this time, because my father-in-law, who lives with us, has Alzheimers - change is very bad for him. So, as long as we can keep him home, safely and healthy, we will. Until then, pretty much all has to stay in the planning mode.

Except, of course, for my greenhouse and garden!