We have advanced so much in the last two decades incorporating sustainable energy sources into our daily lives. With a blank page in front of us, imagine the well designed energy infrastructure we can build.
As a developer, we incorporate utilities into our communities, accessing available infrastructure. Many times, we spend money re-designing existing sources and transmission lines. For example, we might need to decide to bury power lines at the boundary of our property. It certainly enhances the entry to a new community.
In a NewCity, we have the opportunity to establish design standards ahead of new development projects. We can introduce sustainable stormwater management solutions that leverage landscape design to filter and clean our storm water. We can construct a high-speed wireless system accessible to all.
Lake Park, Florida, originally named Kelsey City, was incorporated in 1923 and is considered Florida’s first zoned community. Almost a century later, Lake Park is pursuing a re-designed storm water management solution based on sustainability principles.
NewCity should also consider methods to generate renewable energy. Architects and engineers can be inspired to design new solutions integral to commercial and governmental building design, perhaps incorporating solar panels and urban wind turbines.
As explained in previous posts, I had the good fortune to be one of the first home builders in Disney’s Celebration community. The Disney property in Florida has its own power management company. Additionally, (at least when I was operating there in the late 1990s) Disney had an offsite (on property) recycling center. I was actually given a tour of the facility. It’s design and operation were ingenious in its simplicity. Garbage cans in the Magic Kingdom were emptied from the tunnel systems below. Compare that to Manhattan’s garbage problem.
Hindsight is 20/20. NewCity is the opportunity to learn from our past and inspire the best and brightest to raise bars.
