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The 21st Century finds Americans waking to the Reality of our unintended consequences of our car-dependant suburban sprawl lifestyle; over consumption of a dwindling supply of natural resources and cheap oil, a health crises of obesity and diabetes, a spiritual crises and lack of purpose, social isolation and lack of connection, increasingly catastrophic weather events and the impending loss of 1/3 to 1/2 of the world’s species from global warming, to name a few. What’s a planetary citizen to do??
We’ve created a hands-on Sustainable Neighborhoods Workshop to come up with inspired next steps!
Near the end of the workshop, inevitably the question comes up “OK, what’s next, how do we create these great neighborhoods?” and we’ve found ourselves apologizing as currently there are social, zoning, and financial roadblocks in the way.
Well, we’ve decided to take the bull by horns and create the supportive mechanisms necessary
The Cure for Suburban Sprawl
is found in…
“Mixed-Use, Mixed-Income Neighboorhoods, with Life Long Learning and Open Space…Everywhere!”
a Sustainable Way of Life
Sustainability Meets the Diverse Needs of the New American Family
Not only have the times changed, but so has the American Family. According to the 2000 Census, only 24% of households in the United States have the traditional demographics of two adults and children under 18 living under one roof. And yet currently (2006), 78% of our new home production is single family homes. It’s as if we still believe Wally and the Beaver are still living at home with their parents, Ward and June Cleaver.
Social Sustainability Solutions
Single Parents, Empty nesters, Young professional couples, Singles, and Couples with no kids make up 78% of who we are. We are now changing careers 3 to 5 times, living longer, and in search for a purposeful life. Wheather it’s health care or affordable aging in place, the challenge of making three wholesome meals for your family everyday, or long commutes, for a great number of Americans needs are not being very well met by the current choices in the marketplace.
If you are a “Boomer” seeking more simplicity, a single seeking deeper connection beyond the dating scene, a retiree not ready to fade away, a single parent, an entrepreneur, or a family with children who yearns for…
- A neighborhood where creativity is encouraged and fostered,
- A community where all are appreciated and celebrated and you experience a profound sense of belonging,
- A life where you enjoy the feeling of safety that comes from the security of your neighborhood “extended family” looking out for you, then…
Welcome to Life Beyond Suburbia!
Sustainability is about Economic, Social, and Ecological Sytems and Strategies that leave the world a better place for our children and future generations. Design Elements that support a sustainable lifestyle speak to our current needs, and at the same time create an empowering, more abundant, just, and joyful future for all.
Ecological Sustainability-Complex Challenges, Profound Solutions
As you probably are aware, it’s estimated that if everybody on the planet was to have our lifestyle, we’d have to have 4 more planets of resources. In otherwords, to live ecological balance, we will have to reduce our consumptive lifestyle something like 75%. Building green homes and buying cars that get higher gas mileage, is a necessary part, but to have safe streets where children are free to explore their universe, like the Boomers had as children, will require a bigger makeover.
To be able to grow old, and affordably age in place, we will have to create new neighborhood systems to support the wave of aging Baby Boomers, 1/2 of whom have no retirement.
In the early 70’s when I went to college, I learned about the “J” curves. It was predicted we, as a planet would come into a time around the turn of the Century, 2000, when population growth, and demand for consumer goods, would create Global Warming and shortages of water and other natural resources. Those predictions have come to pass, and now we are faced with projections of horrific consequences if we continue our current lifestyle another 50 years.
Fortunately we have the capacity to rise to the challenge, and learn from the past. In the past century, we rose to the challenges of World Wars. The current times call for an amazing conscious effort, like the Manhattan Project, but on a global scale. This time, the Germans and the Japanese are our allies. This time there is no enemy, except our own obsolete dysfunctional lifestyle.
Economic Sustainability– Cost Reduction and Profit Sharing Strategies
With good planning and design, your neighborhood can be more sustainable economically. Alternatives to gentrification allow future generations and area employees to remain nearby. Here’s a list of ways to get more financial support from your home and your neighborhood while making them great places to live and retire.
Village Development of America LLC (ViDA!) is a for-profit development company that facilitates the establishment of sustainable and empowering mixed-used, mixed-income neighborhoods, so that we can all live in vibrant, alive communities, and prosper.