| No matter how strong its eco-credentials, a "green" | | | | sustainable patterns of community life? |
| building is not truly sustainable unless it is woven into | | | | It is not an easy question. But there are at least |
| a community fabric that supports sustainable | | | | three ways we can ensure that green structures do |
| lifestyles. You can have the most | | | | not go gray: |
| environmentally-friendly construction process for the | | | | |
| most efficient and healthy home, but if the house is | | | | 1. Fill It In. Infill development maximizes existing |
| located somewhere that forces occupants to drive | | | | infrastructure, supports walkable neighborhoods, and |
| for every errand, then you have not created a truly | | | | preserves greenfields on the region's periphery by |
| sustainable home. Regardless of how eco-friendly | | | | concentrating development in existing communities. |
| they may feel, denizens of buildings like this cannot | | | | Infill structures built to eco-standards can therefore |
| avoid adding lots of earth-warming carbon to the | | | | achieve the more elusive goal of "sustainability". |
| atmosphere as part of their daily routine. | | | | 2. Granny Flats. An Accessory Dwelling Unit can be a |
| Instead, truly green homes are woven into a built | | | | converted garage, a basement or attic addition, or a |
| environment that supports sustainable living - less | | | | new standalone backyard cottage. These compact |
| driving, less energy consumption, a smaller ecological | | | | living units, complete with kitchen, bath and all living |
| footprint. Portland's Urban Growth Boundary helps | | | | amenities, add a distinct second residential unit to an |
| shape this kind of urban form and context. The UGB | | | | existing property. Perfect for sustainable, efficient |
| refocuses development on the region's urban core | | | | living embedded in community. |
| and creates a more compact urban form scaled to | | | | 3. Remodel. That's right. Following |
| people (walking, biking, taking transit) not just cars. | | | | environmentally-responsible remodeling principles, |
| This provides Portlanders with green options. We can | | | | re-purpose that old house to 21-century needs. |
| still drive where we need to go, but there are other | | | | Existing structures contain tons of embodied energy. |
| good choices for getting around as well. | | | | By remodeling these homes, we are "upcycling" |
| Now, responsible home builders build with the earth in | | | | today's neighborhoods one house at a time, |
| mind, reclaiming and recycling materials, striving for | | | | preserving precious embodied energy and weaving |
| LEED and Passive House standards, making careful | | | | these households into existing neighborhood fabric. |
| materials choices, etc. But what can we do, as | | | | By pursuing these three strategies, we can build |
| would-be green-dwellers and builders, to ensure that | | | | sustainable homes that sustain community. |
| our homes and businesses become part of | | | | |