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In this age of climate change and economic distress, affecting work and home, there are high expectations for green city environments. Green cities are now and have been, in planning stages for a long time. The aim of these progressive cities is to promote and build a “green environment;” thus producing a better and healthier air quality, produce more energy efficient and available public transportation, develop better organized city and neighborhoods — combine them together — and overall make life easier, and healthier for all.
According to The Green Workplace, what makes a city green are some of the following: renewable energy supply, extensive wetlands program, green building program, solar power, wind power, excellent public transit, clean air and water, biomass power generation, smoking ban and commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.
Let’s look at San Francisco’s Treasure Island, California, where ground may be broken this year and become one of the most environmentally friendly developments in the United States. Some of the proposed green features will be LEED-certified buildings, the reduction and/or possible elimination of storm water runoff, artificial wetlands as forms of water treatment, and a transit system that favors clean air vehicles.
In addition a 20-acre city-operated organic farm is planned, and within walking distance from the proposed city center and will supply the residents with locally produced foods.
According to Metro Green, energy will be supplied from the solar and wind-farm power and by the year 2020, solar panels will “cover 70 percent of rooftop space and will provide about 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.”
Let’s take another look at Victoria, British Columbia. This area is working hard to be carbon-neutral by 2012. They plan on doing this through a combination of green ideas for buildings, transportation, energy and waste treatment. The buildings on Dockside Green are being constructed by reclaimed wood from forests that were submerged by reservoirs. Energy-efficient appliances will be outfitted inside homes.
Also, the residents will be taking part in a clean-fuel and hybrid car-sharing program. And, there will be bike and pedestrian paths, subsidized public transit and a harbor ferry.
Let’s take a look at Sherford, England. This is a bowling green, cricket playing field and an organic farm in the town’s park. Sherford is an Eco-project of Prince Charles. This area will be home for about 12,000 people and should be completed by 2020. Buildings will be constructed with sustainable materials gathered within a 50 mile range. It is planned that the water and sewer waste will be recycled.
Interestingly, the rooftops of the homes will be solar powered, vegetation will cover the roofs of commercial buildings, and wind turbines will be combined with solar power as renewable sources.
There will be limited need for cars, for the urban layout will be such that residences will be close to retail stores and industry. And, homeowners will receive a free bicycle. Not only will this be convenient but will most certainly help in bringing people together and perhaps bring return pride in being a citizen.
Dockside Green, 15 acres of former industrial land in Victoria, British Columbia, Dockside Green developers are busy combining "residential, commercial, light industrial and green space on 15 acres (roughly 0.06 square kilometers) of harbor-front land."
What makes this outstanding is that Dockside Green developers are planning to exceed almost all the current environmental performance standards for green buildings in Canada.
What’s even more unbelievable is that all of the buildings will use 50 percent less energy than the Canadian Model Building code suggests. This includes excellent roof insulation, installing Low E double-glazed windows, cool-heat recovery technology, installing energy efficient appliances, motion sensors and home energy dashboards.
In addition, the buildings will harvest rainwater and slow run-off by using cisterns, green roofs, swales and large central green space. Living spaces will be flexible and will utilize low-impact materials like bamboo flooring, wool carpets and cork paneling.
What about areas in the world where green practices are already in motion? Take Boulder Colorado for instance. Boulder has the country’s best organic food supply. The state’s largest farm market runs from April to November and is backed by Whole Foods.
According to Best Places.net, Ithaca, N.Y., has over 16 percent of its residents (5,000 people) who walk to work. In addition, there are also large numbers of bike riders and mass transit users.
And, there are other areas in the U.S. where green is becoming deeper and more meaningful, according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. In Madison, Wisc. the Badger Cab Company has a fleet of cars that run on clean propane. In San Francisco, Eco Limo has a fleet of hybrids and bio-diesels. And in Portland, Ore., Portland Oregon’s Center Stage offers shows in the LEED-certified Platinum Armory Building.
The only drawbacks to a “greener” world are: money, initiative, environment-friendly materials and the needed workforce. But, with leadership, funds and people like you and me promoting and working toward this dream, the dream and hope for a better and healthier world will become a reality.
So, not only are green cities in our future, but the future is already here! What will all of this “green” mean to all of us? Simply put, healthy, clean and great living!
