Introduction. 

The goal is to create a self-sustained, affordable and environmentally community that provides a practical prototype for eight other locations. The community will include Church/school, charter school, businesses, municipal buildings, farming, and stores..

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City layout

The project consists of low income housing dwellings which include:

• Four linked three-story townhouses with full solar orientation.

• A three story block of six apartments with east-west orientation

• Four individual cottages

• A 5 story apartment block facing onto Sturt Street, with a community room/ kitchen/dining/meeting room/ library, and toilets on the ground floor.

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There will be a charter school, medical. government facility including fire, shopping, and grocery stores, credit union, and entertainment buildings.

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This big picture of global thinking is realized in many details ranging from the capture of stormwater to the use of solar electricity and recycled and non-toxic building materials.

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The community aspect is important in a couple of ways. On the one hand, in the finished development the architecture and urban design fosters social interaction and a sense of community by providing a layout that is both free from traffic and provides a number of outdoor places to gather informally or to sit quietly alone.​

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Environmental Performance Criteria

We will build the community based on five key environmental performance criteria.

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Criterion 1.  Energy.

Both in construction and in its on-going life, to be a low energy demand environment and, within that, to maximize the use of renewable/solar-based energy sources and minimize the use of non-renewable energy sources.

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Criterion 2.   Water.

Both in construction and in its on-going life, to maximize on-site both the retention and usage of storm water, and the retention and recycling of waste water.

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Criterion 3.  Land.

To service the bringing of land, both in the location of the development and in associated rural location/s, into a state of ecological health, by adopting programs of ecological restoration and land management practices which may include appropriate organic agricultural production and which maximize achievement of biodiversity of indigenous flora and fauna.

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Criterion 4.  Health.

Both in construction and in its on-going life, to avoid the use of products or processes which incorporate materials or produce substances or by-products which are known to be damaging to human health.

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Criterion 5.  Pollution.

Both in construction and in its on-going life, to minimize or prevent the dispersion into the environment, either within or beyond the location of the development, of non-recyclable materials or materials which otherwise have detrimental environmental effects.