designing sustainable development in moscow, idaho

Jessica Shoemaker, Anne Zuercher

table of contents

missionwhat is “sustainable” or “regenerative” development?orientation and site contextstudies: existing conditions case studies proposed changeslandwaterwasteenergycirculationsocial

summarybibliography

The mission of this sustainable design in Moscow is to design a community continually adapting to meet the social and economic needs of its residents while preserving the environment’s ability to support it. The intention is to design and build economical, equitable and ecologically healthy communities that serve as a model for future design planning. With the incorporation of water conservation and local agriculture, as well as renewable energy, wildlife preservation and alternative transportation, this development will serve as a major educational resource center for all aspects of sustainability. Integrating mixed use, human scaled development creates diverse community involvement, as well as connection to the surrounding neighborhoods and a more pleasing atmosphere to spend time in. Sustainable design is not simply about “sustaining” the quality of our lives - it is about improving it by emphasizing on the long term, local and community benefits.

mission

North Moscow and PCEI

orientation

site

highway 95to Potlatch

highway 8to Troy

sustainability:

regenerative development:

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the future. For humans to live sustainably, the Earth’s resources must be used at a rate at which they can be replenished. The U.N. World Commission defines sustainability as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of “needs”, in particular the essential needs of the world, to which overriding priority should be given and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs. Sustainability developed from the unsustainable patterns of production and consumption which have produced our present dilemma. A shift is necessary toward lifestyles less geared to environmentally damaging consumption patterns.”

Development that improves the environment and continues to do so over time. This means creating more natural resources than you use and developing a system that can continously heal itself. Regnerative development can also be applied to the ideas of the cradle-to-cradle theory, a model of industrial systems in which material flows cyclically in appropriate, continuous biological or technical nutrient cycles. All waste materials are productively re-incorporated into new production and use - “waste equals food.”

zoning

motor businessmultifamily residentialsingle family (9600 sq. feet)agriculturesingle family (7000 sq. feet)suburban residentialduplexfarm/ranch/transitionalcity limitstreets

-wide variety of housing types-zoned for commercial along highway

-large amount of single family and duplex housing, creating low density development-limited amount of land for agriculture-separation between commercial, residential and agricultural-limited connectivity routes in many areas

pros

cons

multi-family

single family (9600 sq. feet)

single family (7000 sq. feet)

suburban residential

duplex

city limitstreets

residential

commercial

motor business

agriculture

farm/ranch/transitionalcity limitstreets

zoning

It is vital to establish compact towns and cities using urban growth boundaries and other planning and zoning measures. This type of land use creates coherent urban regions which are a fundamental social, economic, and ecological unit. Such regions are naturally bounded by topography, watersheds, greenbelts, and surrounding farmland and wildlands. Compact cities, towns and villages ease development pressures on forests and farms, helping to stabilize rural communities and maintain wildlands. Urban growth boundaries help prevent development patterns from sprawling beyond the edges of a town, city or metropolitan region. Mixed-use neighborhoods with a gradient of densities from park to commercial center form the basic building blocks of towns and cities.

land

-large trees mark property boundaries and create private space-PCEI has planted new vegetation on site

-lack of vegetation used as a buffer for streets and sidewalks-non-native vegetation-large green grass yards-no growth boundary to reduce sprawl

pros

cons

streets city limit

paved area

trees and greenery

buildings

existing

land use

case study

Tyron Farms, Northern Indianathe land save the farmland and the woods establish wetland habitats reestablish prairies clean sewer water for irrigation control storm water minimalize roads manage waste establish gardens protect open space

the homes cluster the houses protect privacy make simple designs use good materials built well design private courtyards place windows for sunlight keep night lighting low

features preservation of natural beauty and resources 120 acres of the 170 acre farm left open for hiking, views, and habitat several wetland ponds, prairies, meadows and woods to roam horses, pasture and stables next door goats and chickens living in the original farm buildings bonfire circle in the middle meadow. large area with shared garden plots for your use, picnic tables, mowed area for kite flying, baseball events such as movies, bike hikes, potluck suppers, bird walks, discussions and seminars at the old barn, restored prairie, farmed fields

neotraditional neighborhoodthe neighborhood is limited in size so that a majority of the population is within a 5-minute walking distance of its center. The needs of daily life are theoretically available within this area. The streets are laid out on a grid or network, so that there are alternate routes to every des-tination. This permits most streets to be smaller, with slower traffic. Streets are spatially defined by buildings which enfront the sidewalk in a disciplined manner uninterrupted by parking lots. The buildings are various in function, but compatible in size and in disposition on their lots. There is a mixture of houses, large and small, outbuildings, small apartment buildings, shops, restaurants, offices and warehouses. Open space is provided in the form of specialized squares, play-grounds and parks.

unique featuressmaller lots result in closer configurations and counter the sense of land waste and isolation that typify modern development. Generous greenspace and open areas are incorportaed into the design. Grouping of housing units on smaller lots permits forty acres of undeveloped greenspace. Narrow streets that follow the topography of the land discourage speeding, and are therefore safer for pedestrians -- particu-larly children and the elderly -- to cross. They also encourageneighbor interaction. The criss-crossing of streets in a grid system provides more optional routes and less congestion than typical suburban thoroughfares.

Middleton Hills,Wisconsin

open space -save the optimal land for all to enjoy -preserve the conservation landagriculture -implement zones in prime growing area -increase vegetation in and around site -community gardensintegration of community -mixed use development -dense, clustered housing -community gathering space -separate private and public sectors planned development -implement growth boundary -follow planned layout for future -water and waste features to mitigate unnecessary consumption

streets city limit

paved area

trees and greenery

buildings

existing

proposed implementationbioswales

irrigation channels

retention pond

bioswales

recycling center

composting stations

wind turbines

proposal

The most critical part of the Ecological Infrastructure is the movement of water, stormwater, and wastewater throughout the city. When residential and commercial developments employ permeable paving, rooftop rainwater catchment systems or water-retaining eco-roofs, they allow water to infiltrate on-site, often after one or more uses. Neighborhood-scale gathering and infiltration of stormwater can be accomplished with bioswales and retention ponds.

water

storm system streets city limit

retension pond/constructed wetlands

water drainage

existing-water on site can be harvested-permeable paving on PCEI land absorbing runoff-existing water retention pond on PCEI land

-flooding due to lack of storm water management-lack of water capture and filtration on site-erosion of fertile soil-non-porous streets and sidewalks limiting water absorbtion-no limit on water consumption-no restrictions on water use

pros

cons

storm and waste waterSidwell Friends Middle School

runoff reduction design a green roof system

water conservation education educate building management and employees about water conservation

landscape plantings landscape with indigenous vegetation

managing storm water design a constructed wetland for pollutant removal from storm water

rainwater collection collect and store rainwater for uses in building collect and filter rainwater for use in cooling towers

wastewater and gray water recycling design buildings to use treated wastewater for non-potable uses

storm and waste water

case study

constructed wetlands -rice paddies -sand filter -greywater storage tank

additional retention pond -managing flooding -wildlife habitat

green house and living machine -blackwater treatment -agricultural use -education

repurposing waste -composting toilets -reuse and use of recycled materials -recyling facility irrigation channels for agriculture -manage flooding -swales

existing

proposed implementation

water drainage

retention pondcity limitstreets

irrigation channelsgreenhouse/living machine

retention pond

bioswales

constructed wetlands

proposal

One of the underlying reasons waste generation is increasing is that neither industry, retail firms, governments, nor individual consumers have an incentive to use natural resources frugally. The resources are artificially cheap, and the gross national product and other measurements of economic health do not capture the environmental and social consequences of the initial and subsequent waste production and disposal costs. Therefore, we must extract and use materials in such a way that they do not systematically accumulate in the biosphere, any bioregion, or any ecosystem. Sustainable Materials Cycles emphasize materials which are highly abundant, non-toxic, and which can be digested by ecosystems and eventually sequestered back in the crust. Resource Efficiency decreases both the overall flow of materials in the industrial economy and their inevitable leakage into the biosphere. Use materials which are highly abundant, non-toxic, and easily broken down by ecosystems helps promote resource efficiency to minimize the need for raw materials.

waste

existing-savagable materials on site-adaptive reuse of existing structures-available land for composting and recycling-strawbale constructed bike shelter

-use of virgin materials-degenerative material use -cradle-to-grave approach -no composting -no restictions on materiality use-active systems

pros

cons

buildings

streets city limit

material reuse earth-smart design at IslandWood, they are active participants in energy conservation, composting, recycling, and harnessing alternative energy sources. all of the facilities on our campus feature numerous sustainable elements that help restore and maintain the site and remind visitors that even our simple, day-to-day tasks have an impact on the environment.general overview all concrete contains 50% flyash, a recycled utility waste product of coal walk-off mats at entry doors are made from recycled tires Wood harvested from solar meadows used for exterior siding and interior trim main center the small sections of carpet are made from 95%-recycled carpet a 92-foot, 120-year-old salvaged wood beam serves as a major design element flooring is assembled from salvaged wooddining hall bathrooms feature recycled glass tiles in floor and wainscotingeducational studios each classroom features a different sustainable flooring: cork, bamboo, recycled rubber, and concrete bathroom stall partitions are made from recycled plastic each classroom countertop features a different sustainable surface: recycled-content concrete, recycled yogurt container compositecreative arts studio walls are constructed from straw balessleeping lodges throw rugs are woven from upholstery remnants and discarded clothing flooring in great room and loft made from recycled wood wood use sustainably harvested wood was purchased and used in 75% of the entire project site-harvested trees, cleared for siting the buildings on campus, were dried and milled, and used in exterior and interior trim

IslandWood

IslandWood

case study

proposal

use of savagable materials -reuse of existing structural materials -adaptive reuse of concrete foundations -use of recycled products

treatment of materials -untreated materials to reduce off-gasing -sustainable manufacturing

earth-smart planning -restictions upon material use (true cost) -cradle-to-cradle approach -land use regulations

implementation of composting -composting for housing units -recycling center for community proposed trees and greenery

recycling center

city limits

composting stationsphotovoltaicssustainable development

trees and greenery

Generating energy using renewable sources, including wind, solar, small-scale hydro, biomass, and geothermal can extravagantly reduce the amount of energy used. Advances in wind turbine technology, falling costs, and unstable fossil fuel prices have combined to make wind-generated electricity an increasingly viable alternative to conventional energy resources. The efficiencies of photovoltaic cells and solar thermal systems continue to increase slowly, with rapid cost decreases. Small-scale hydropower, cleanly and efficiently converts the power of flowing water into electricity without blocking a river. Biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes, can be burned to produce both heat and electricity. Geothermal power plants capture steam from hot underground brine fields to spin turbines that in turn generate electricity. Hydrogen provides a viable transportation fuel alternative to fossil fuels, and a viable energy storage device complementing the electrical grid. All of which can help limit the amount of energy that is drawn from that grid.

energy

-potential for passive systems

-use of the city grid-no natural ventilation-lack of passive solar penetration-lack of orientation planning-no incorporation with existing environment

proscons

existing trees

city limit

west prevailing winds

sun path

existing structures

streets

existing water

existing

renewable energySidwell Friends Middle School

The renovation and addition to the middle school transforms a 55-year old facility into a school that teaches environmental responsibility by example. The 39,000 sq. foot addition provides modern spaces for music and art, science and computer labs, coun-seling, and a library while retaining and enhancing the value of the existing structure.

The existing landscape was a biological and aesthetic scar in need of restoration. The design team carefully analyzed the regional context and ecology of the site with the goal of reestablishing connections to local geology, watersheds, and habitat. The campus sits on a ridge near the highest point in the District of Columbia, between two watersheds that flow to the Potomac River. As a result, water management and landscape development became central to establishing meaningful connections between the campus and the community.

case study

energy strategies

solar cooling loads shade south windows with overhangs daylighting for energy efficiency south-facing windows for daylighting large interior windows to increase daylighting penetration non-solar cooling loads operable windows ceiling fans to improve comfort at higher temperatures cooling systems commission the HVAC systemventilation systems heat-recovery ventilation

energy implementation passive solar design high-efficiency electric solar ventilation chimneys photovoltaic array

the building uses 60% less energy than comparable buildingsdesigned to code

proposal

photovoltaics -implement on extisting structures as well as potential additionwind turbines -possible placement on north side of site (highest topographical point)thermal mass -design earth bermed structures for additional development -explore alternative insulation strategies such as straw bale contruction daylighting and solar gain -practice passive options to improve natural lighting -propose shading devices based upon sun angles and seasonal climatic characteristics passive solar heating -windows to allow for direct sunlight during winter months -water heating through photovoltaicsnatural ventilation -implement cross ventilation strategies -design spaces with operable windows

existing trees

city limit

proposed wind turbines

proposed trees for shading

houses with photovoltaics

existing streets

irrigation channels

Improved transit access will occur through the creation of effective competition between many different travel modes. The hierarchy of least cost transportation mode alternatives runs from: walking, biking, bus, to personal car. With the creation of a more efficient, effective, and accessible public transit system, a strong alternative will be provided to the single-occupant vehicle. Infrastructure should be constructed without severing the neighborhood fabric. It will preserve connectivity, providing safe and pleasant passage for both people and wildlife.

circulation

-two valley transit lines-sidewalks through developed area

-lack of sidewalks or alternative paths-bus route does not pass through site-no pedestrian connection to downtown Moscow-bicyclists must use streets intended for vehiclular transportation-streets are cul-de-sacs and dead ends, rather than connectors-high car use creates significant emissions

pros

cons

streets

city limit

alternative transportation route (bicycle/pedestrian)

automobile transportation

bus route

existing

circulationBinbrook Ontario, Canada

The Village of Binbrook is located in the southwest portion of the newly amalgamated City of Hamilton in southwestern Ontario. It is a standalone community of under 1,000 people separated from the Hamilton urban area by 6 km of rural countryside.

Design alternatives were developed to maximize space for landscaped boulevards and medians, sidewalks, and parking. In order to encourage consolidation of accesses, alternatives for roadway cross-sections were developed that included strategically placed left-turn lanes and medians.

Alternatives for cross-sections that incorporated continuous centre left-turn lanes were also developed, but it was recognized that such alternatives would not encourage land consolidation and use of consolidated access points.

Urban design alternatives were developed that built on the opportunities presented by the former, including such features as massing the buildings along the front property lines, and providing parking in the rear.

case study

Design Objective:Traffic and Parking: -minimize potential pedestrain and vehicular conflcits through well defined streets and paking lot access for vehicles and pedestrains -incorportate planted medians as traffic calming strategy -provide on-street parking -consolodate parking lot entrances to reduce potential vehicle and pedestrain conflicts -provide traffic calming opportunities through the use of planted medians -parking lots to be located to the rear of exsisting and proposed development -incorporate bicycle lanes thorughout the core area to provide a connection to adjacent neighborhoods

alternative transportionDuring the last fifty years Brazil has, as many countries in the South, witnessed a rapid urbanization. People leave the country side and the shrinking agrarian sector for the educing city lights in hope for a better life, but unlike the urbanization process of Europe at the turn of the last century there are no longer any factory floors to accommodate the growing labor force. The influx of people from the country side combined with a growing population created city growth numbers around five per cent annually.

City planners decided to address the increasing growth by developing a master plan for the city which focused on five key principles:

-changing the radial urban growth trend to a linear one by integrated land use, road network and transport strategy

-decongest the city center and preserve its historical buildings and neighborhoods with legislation and economic incentives

-demographic control and management

-economic support to urban development

-infrastructure improvement

Curitiba, Brazil

alternative transportion These structural corridors are composed of a triple road system with the central road having two restricted lanes dedicated to ex-press buses. Parallel to the express bus lanes are two local roads running in opposite directions which allow local traffic to pass through the city.

Large buildings holding a high density of people were permitted to be built along these corridors, but as you moved away from these central corridors the admissible densities declined from urban apartment buildings to residential neighborhoods.

The tube stations were constructed to speed up the system. Passengers now enter from the tube station at an even level to the bus floor and the passengers pay their fares by tokens or in cash to an attendant at a turnstile when entering the tube station. Boarding times are thus reduced, approaching those of subway passengers, and the short waiting times are in a relatively sheltered and safe environment.

The policy of encouraging high density development along the five structural arteries has helped to divert transport movement from the city center. The low congestion consequently made it easier to promote other means of travel in the city center. Hence, the city created a pedestrian network, covering an area equivalent to nearly fifty blocks, in the downtown area.

case study

vinyl valley and rodeo drive -eliminate cul-de-sacs and make roads connect to polk -widen sidewalks to include a natural buffer from traffic -implement car pool system -create connection between commercial and residential

palouse clearwater environmental institute -implement perviously paved road into sustainable community -connect rodeo to upper neighborhood -create walking paths around development

bus route and connection to moscow -add another bus route to include vinyl valley, pcei and polk street

highway 95 -reduce lanes, increase sidewalks and include a natural buffer from traffic -implement more and better defined bus stops

city limit

grid layout for infrastructure development

proposed bus routeexisting bus routepotential bus stops

proposed bike and pedestrian pathstreets

proposal

Communities are the incubators for cultural diversity and cultural preservation. They allow people of many different races, faiths, and worldviews to enrich each other, providing an enduring sense of security. Communities enhance Social Equity by providing a variety of social options, including religious organizations, neighborhood associations, and non-profit entities, helping people meet their needs.

human

existing-no sense of place-lack of “eyes on the street”-no human diversity in and around the site-lack of economic diversity-no mixed use land development-lack of community transportation, path systems

-great potential for rural sustainable communityproscons

sense of placeFairview Village Portland, ORfairview village is about making connections

mixing houses and apartments of assorted sizes and prices to bridge the divide of age and economic status. designing “third places” for informal socializing, where individuals can connect with the larger community. creating physical connections; mixing houses with shops, churches, and government buildings to which residents can easily walk; and, constructing a network of continuous walkways and streets so residents can easily reach other parts of the Village. transportation

to get people out of their cars and back on the streets. streets are designed for walkers and bicycle riders as well as motorists. 30 acres of conservation lands provide attractive forested areas through which the SalishTrail System meanders.

neighborhoodseach neighborhood has a pocket park within a two-minute walk of every home. each pocket park is distinguished by a special landmark feature - a brick plaza, a fountain, or a special tree variety - to give each neighborhood a separate character. streets end with a visual reference point - a significant feature like a park, a bridge, or a building. every street terminates with a vista, not a garage door!

commercialretail and residential is connected by a continuous system of sidewalks and footpaths so that residents are no more than a five-minute walk from work, shopping, and recreation.

Fairview Village Portland, OR

case study

offers a broad variety of housing choices -- single family homes, row houses, townhomes, flats above garages, apartments over shops, garden apartments, and senior living opportunities. every generation of a family can live in the same neighborhood. in addition to the home and the work place, people need public places where they can meet to relax and catch up on “the latest”. urban living is about sustaining human contact. It’s about running into old and new friends.

mixed use

in much of suburbia, we have all but lost what has been called the “ quintessential urban pleasure” -- to walk along the streets of our neighborhoods and meet other people.public spaces at Fairview Village -- including the streets, parks, and squares -- are designed to be the focus for the conduct of daily living. throughout the Village, the street and sidewalk design is intended to foster “low-tech interactions,” where residents stroll after dinner and stop to chat with neighbors. the ritual of watching other people, being watched, and chatting is the core of the social promenade

eyes on the street

emphasizing a diverse mix of land uses within walking range of each other, smaller lot sizes, along with public gathering spots, strong civic buildings, and all interconnected by a comprehensive street and walkway system.

overall design

proposalmixed use development -offers a broad variety of housing choices -availability for live/work environment -mix of residential, commercial, civic and public spacecommunity transportation -increase connectivity of existing streets -walking paths -additional bike route -carpooling -implementing bike lanesocial interaction -pocket parks, gathering spaces -scheduled community events and functions -comprehensive street and walkway system for communication -housing development based upon social interactiondispersion of economic differences -diverse categories of housing -implementation of low income and subsidized housing

retention ponds trees and greenery

protection, healing

prospertity

energy, happiness

peace

nature, restful

earth, order

formality

safety, purity

city limits

housing

commercial development

conservation lands

park

streets

PCEI

summary

Overall, the building design process is never ‘conventional.’ The integration of sustainable technologies should be viewed as an ongoing design opportunity that should be taken advantage of from design development to post-occupancy. The designer must look at the site up close and from afar, in order to read the site and learn from what is apparent, invisible and ephemeral. The best way to use the proposed strategies of land, water, waste, energy, circulation and human, is to understand their basis in order to be able to match the technology with their need in the design. Working with environmental strategies is more than assembling parts, or the choosing of systems, it is important for the parts to blend with an infinite variation of execution. Great projects are sometimes a case of understanding and applying innovative modes of design.

bibliographyRoseland, Mark. Toward Sustainable Communities. Canada: New Society Publishers, 2007.

Grondzik, Walter and Aison G. Kwok. The Green Studio Handbook. New York: Architectural Press, 2007.

McDonough, William. Cradle to Cradle. New York: North Point Press, 2002

Cowan, Stuart. “Concervation Economy.” 2008. 22 April 2008. <http://www.conservationeconomy.net/>.