Sustainability: Building a Better World
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15 Connected roads and mixed-use zoning allow daily needs to be met by walking or driving short distances. A truly “green” house is one that people love and, therefore, want to maintain over time. When all of our daily activities are separated and spread out we are required to spend more time in the car, and therefore negatively impact the environment. B u i l d i n g a B e t t e r W o r l d As a society we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact human beings have on the natural environment. We are reminded almost daily in the media about issues relating to global warming, and limited levels of resources such as oil. Most of the solutions presented force us to sacrifice to make a difference—we’re told to drive less, give up conveniences or spend more to be “green.” Solutions for saving the environment often seem to mean trading down in lifestyle. We may all care deeply about these global issues, but when it comes down to a choice between paying the mortgage, taking the kids to their activities or shopping for groceries, and “saving the world,” the answer is usually a simple one: We will continue to drive. We blame the automobile industry for oil consumption, but the issue isn’t the number of cars on the road—it is the planning of the roads, which require the people in the cars to drive several hours a day to meet their daily needs. In many places, tasks as simple as buying a cup of coffee require a car ride on the freeway. 14 Avoid Use S u s t a i n a b i l i t y Planning for the Planet Andres Duany, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company Despite its shock value, Al Gore’s message of the crisis facing our planet will not be enough to wholly effect change. The tipping point he speaks of is elusive. After all, this political enthusiasm is not the first concerted attempt at environmental reform; nor is global warming the first mediasupercharged environmental crisis. Dedicated environmentalists have been working hard for a very long time—organizing, educating and agitating since the first energy crisis. Yet, forty years later, we find ourselves deep in trouble nonetheless. We need to conceive better ways to persuade people to be environmentally conscious and not just to compel them. Smart urban planning and design of our cities can mitigate damage to nature. The environmental lifestyle can be framed as precautionary: the option to walk when fuel becomes scarce; the access to a secured food supply nearby; the practical use of rain, breeze, shade and sunshine; the possibility of living off-grid in the event of drought or power failure. These techniques have long been a part of survivalism. They connect. But if these options are not compelling enough, there is the selfish argument that living environmentally is more economical, freeing funds to purchase other “cool stuff.” Green technology and support services can also be the basis of new business initiatives. Building environmentally smart cities may involve a simplification. That could lead to a more pleasant, elegant and meaningful life, and one relieved of the spiritual pall that comes from harming the planet that nurtures us. ANDRES DUANY is the principal of Duany Plater- Zyberk & Company. Since its founding in 1980, DPZ has completed designs for over 300 new towns, regional plans and community revitalizations projects. For more information, visit dpz.com.

17 Building for the future requires materials that stand up to the elements and can easily be maintained over time. This house is timeless in design and fits This building, though innovative and unique, will quickly become dated. into a community. We recommend finding a better photo for here. This seems more about the window and less about the siding But what if saving the planet could both put more money in your pocket (by adding value to your house and saving gas) and enhance your quality of life? This isn’t a rhetorical question: The most valuable houses tend to be by default the...