Oglethorpe's plan for Savannah Savannah is known for her unique and plentiful city squares that promote open space. Consequently, its present city planning department, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, tends to be examined under a microscope by planning departments and preservation scholars across the country. My impression had been that living under this microscope understandably tended the Board towards "safe decisions" and away from modern and new technologies. It seems that I was wrong, … [Read more...]
Merch Mart Leading Major Shift
Vintage postcard of the Merchandise Mart Existing buildings seem to be overlooked when the sustainability topic arises, although USGBC's LEED program has had an EB (existing building) designation for three years now. The shift from new construction to the rehabilitation of the estimated 4.5 million commercial properties already built is one that is necessary, especially considering that commercial buildings account for over 60% of the nation's electricity consumption. One of the largest … [Read more...]
The Righteous Olympics
With the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver come an estimated 1.5 million attendees, creating a mammoth-sized footprint. Thanks to VANOC, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, sustainability is written into the mission/value statement of this enormous effort. In 2005 and 2006, VANOC established a set of six corporate-wide sustainability performance objectives. These objectives are based on Bid commitments, best management practices of other Organizing Committees and … [Read more...]
We Can Do It, They Can Help
The "greening of America" is on, and some major mainstream corporations continue to lead. While The Home Depot declared a full-time dedicated staff to environmental issues way back in 1990, their actions … [Read more...]
We Can Do It, They Can Help
The "greening of America" is on, and some major mainstream corporations continue to lead. While The Home Depot declared a full-time dedicated staff to environmental issues way back in 1990, their actions … [Read more...]
Dirty, Dirty, Coal
Ed Mazria spoke at the Trustee's Theater in Savannah last night. The message was full of interesting global warming stats, and concluded with this: Stop using coal. If we agree that peak production of oil is happening now, give or take a decade, then we can conclude that the consumption of oil will taper off gradually, just as any commodity does as it runs out. So, instead of having used up all of the oil on a Tuesday and having Wednesday be like The Day After, we will begin the slow arch … [Read more...]
Systemic Change
sys·tem·ic (sĭ-stěm'ĭk, -stē'mĭk). adj. 1. Of or relating to systems or a system. 2. a) Relating to or affecting the entire body or an entire organism: systemic symptoms; a systemic poison. b) Relating to or affecting a particular body system, especially the nervous system: a systemic lesion. c) Physiology Of or relating to systemic circulation. I intitally attempted a full understanding of the concept of the word systemic (mostly seen in the world of dis-ease) while in a Physiology … [Read more...]
Consumption = UnGreen
Depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes The amazing photographer, Chris Jordan, has a new exhibit entitled Running the Numbers - An American Self-Portrait, at the Von Lintel Gallery in New York from June 14th to the end of July. This series deals with American consumption at its worst. As we all consume and add to the heaps of waste piling up, it is no wonder that we, too, can begin to waste less. Simple acts, like using a Nalgene bottle for … [Read more...]
Sustainable Development with Ed McMahon
"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail" - Abraham Maslow Ed McMahon provides an oracle pleasure fest, riddled with personal anecdotes, philosophical quotes and rhetorical questions. This Ed McMahon is not your late-night sidekick version, but rather, the Charles Fraser Senior Resident Fellow of the Urban Land Institute, having written 25 books and over 150 articles on sustainable planning and development, preservation and conservation. Mr. McMahon's … [Read more...]
Beaufort County Finally Getting Onboard
Thanks to Beaufort County planning director Tony Criscitiello, who wants to incorporate green development requirements into the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan, the topic of the future of sustainable building practices in Beaufort County is on the table. I suspect that the pro-developer contingent, a stable fixture in our beautiful county, has something to say about the introduction of such forward-thinking initiatives. To be applauded is Mr. Criscitiello's ability to begin this needed … [Read more...]