Giving Others the Spotlight

This week I scoured the web to find some topics that I think are not only interesting, but also have something fun incorporated in the planning and developing field. Rather than creating a blog, this week I looked at other’s blogs to see what was exciting and interesting to them in the blogosphere. In particular, I’ve been reading up on sustainability. Although profit is in the equation for my desire to be a developer, I also wish to maintain a sense of social responsibility. Sustainability and “green” incorporated planning are topics which seem like they are fun issues to tackle, but also gives back to our earth for the damages we cause to it. Another topic that is of interest to me is the walkability of cities. I want to give credit to anyone who wants to incorporate the idea of leaving our cars behind to get around town so I found a blog on walkability as well. Below are my comments that I left at other blogs.

Making A Utah Suburb Walkable

To see walkability of a city making a comeback as a planning priority is something that is definitely welcomed and should be applauded. It is unfortunate that walkability is a thing of the past. In a country such as the United States, where we are so spoiled with the vast amount of open land we have to build on, huge lots and huge houses become the norm for desirability. Much of the “evils” of present day (gas guzzling SUVs, horrid gas prices, traffic, etc.) can be attributed to the dire need for an automobile in the United States.

Walkability of a city is a positive development for the general population’s health and mental well being. By being less dependent on automobiles, we can greatly improve our lives. Kudos are definitely due for planners and developers who are taking steps toward attaining a more walkable America. Hopefully there will come a day when in all major cities, we can leave behind our automobiles to get the basic necessities of life done.

Urban Cohousing for the 21st Century

Cohousing could make a comeback as a chic or progressive idea, if it ever was in the first place. Although it is not particularly hard to find or build a condominium or townhouse complex, to find or build one with an emphasis on neighborhood interaction as well as the integration and preservation of green space, can be a little difficult. It would definitely be a nice way to give back to Mother Nature if developers would start incorporating more green space to their dwellings, especially in the noted urban environment. Green space can contribute directly to an improvement of life since it is always pleasant to find a nice patch of grass to sit down on and read or do something of the sort. A development like this which incorporates a good amount of green space can definitely have an indirect effect on the value of the properties on the premises since open areas of green can be an area for children to roam around and play in should potential buyers have children. Finding sizeable backyards in a town-home is difficult, if not impossible. To have a communal yard sounds like an excellent idea.