by Steve Moddemeyer
Here’s where we need to go:
- Pathway 1. All rain in the city should evaporate, soak into the ground, or be collected for use.
- Pathway 2. The majority of the energy needed for heating and cooling buildings should come from active solar, passive solar and geothermal systems. Additional energy needs should be met with tidal, solar and wind systems.
- Pathway 3. The skins of buildings should act as permeable membranes letting in fresh air, releasing moisture, moderating temperature not only within the buildings but the neighborhood surrounding them.
- Pathway 4. Mobility choices should prioritize walking first, biking second, mass transit systems third and automobiles last. If we follow this approach, transportation can be safe and abundant while decreasing air pollution, increasing human health, and increasing convenience.
- Pathway 5. Great urban design is a powerful sustainability tool. If places people want to go are in walking and biking distance, then they will walk and bike. If people live where the amenities and jobs are provided, then they will be able to walk and bike to their preferred destinations. This makes cities more livable and protects acres of rural areas from sprawl.
- Pathway 6. Natural habitat is human habitat. Native species are welcomed into public open spaces and natural systems.
- Pathway 7. As much as possible, human waste should be collected and treated on site - or if conveyed, conveyed in pressurized pipes for high level treatment and reuse.
Why?
Rainwater in the city drives costs in sewers, drainage systems, and negatively impacts urban creeks and waterways. If we have a superior alternative that is cost effective, why not do it? The tools include the use of green roofs, rain gardens, permeable paving, rainwater collection, and constructed wetlands. These are proven technologies in wide use throughout the world.
We have a sewer system that works well at base flow conditions. However, many times a year this system is overwhelmed by storm water that is piped in or leaks into it. If we adopt Principle 1, then we have a citywide network of pipes that could be used to retrofit a geothermal heating/cooling system
