Communities that are more self reliant regarding infrastructure
needs. Water from rain harvesting, gray water re-use, and conversation
and less from central treatment and distribution. Local wastewater treatment
in biotechnical wetlands. Reduced demand for electricity and natural gas
from passive solar orientation and construction; electricity from local,
renewable sources. Provide model for other communities and subdivisions.
Make CPS lines and transmission towers redundant by 2050 and reclaim this
open space.
Bioremediation for improved stormwater quality and increased
infiltration. Swales and improved riparian areas for rootzone filtration.
Numerous small upslope detention features - more water for landscape plants
and reduced impact downstream.
Configure private property so riparian domain is in community
control. Have roads between houses and creeksides, or have restrictions
on fences at property lines that adjoin floodplain and greenbelts.
Coordinated development - linked subdivisions with community
services, shopping, and jobs accessible without resort to arterials and
freeways. Fewer and shorter private car trips. Less congestion.
Mass transit that appeals to broad spectrum of economic
groups. Convert I-10 corridor from congestion nightmare to multi-mode corridor.
Mixed use planning. Economic diversity. Housing stock
for all income levels that work in the community.
Density neutral open space planning. Be realistic about
development costs and market opportunities, but apply cluster patterns
to provide more open space while housing the same number of residents.
Healthy ecology. Clean air and water. Diverse habitat.
High biomass. Complex soils. Open spaces and corridors (no isolated wildlife).
Five to ten minute walk (1/4 - 1/2 mile radius) access
to basic needs, services. Calm traffic where pedestrians and cars can be
comfortable sharing streets.
Quarry reclamation. Parklands, wetlands, lakes, ponds,
and new, good quality, high volume recharge features. Central Park. Mixed
use. Downtown character. Sites for mass transit links. Electric shuttles
to neighborhood collection centers.
Landscape planning that includes highly personalised
and developed planting close to homes, transition areas and wild and improved
natural areas.
Energy and resource conservation through smaller, better
designed homes. Stronger use of outdoor "rooms". Passive solar
design for houses and outdoor areas that are comfortable through many more
days of the year.
More food grown near where it is consumed. Homesiting
with kitchen gardens in mind. Community gardens. Community farming. Farmers’
Market in town center.
