Comments for Turning Dreary High Rises Into Walkable Urbanism at http://ecogeek.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://ecogeek.org Sun, 19 May 2013 14:53:51 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-28020 This is helpful, almost like like living in a college dorm. Everything is right there. - Fred Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:23:42 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27767 Louis Mumford had any interesting observation(among many) that the university campuses really are a true reflection of what a new urbanism could entail. Ironically the land sold around the University at Berkeley for housing development to fund the building of the Berkeley campus didnot follow the model. - seamus Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:05:28 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27211 They will still be using their automobiles. Only carfree cities with excellent public transit will bring the sustainability we need. And a peaceful life. - mynalee johnstone Wed, 27 May 2009 10:58:57 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27210 How about turning them into vertical Gardens?or are they just too draby? cheers! - max Wed, 27 May 2009 10:33:25 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27136 This is fantastic: conservation, community concentration, opportunities for positive interaction with neighbors (gardens, farmer's markets, shops). Such a development enormously reduces individuals' "footprint" on the environment from heat, water, sewer, etc. It also reuses existing structures - always more efficient than tearing down and rebuilding - and provides a sufficient market to support local commerce. The original high-rises may have been uninviting and sterile, but this is inspired re-use (or rather continuing use). Many people prefer to live in high-rises. There are many advantages: utilities as noted above, vastly lower time need for maintenance such as lawn mowing, snow shoveling, exterior painting, etc. If you add in a transit stop at the complex, this could be fabulous. - Aimee Sat, 23 May 2009 08:21:04 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27076 A great example of where this already exists is out in Rohnert Park, CA at a place called Sonoma Mountain Village, or "SOMO" They took an ugly tech campus and are turning it into what they call a "5 minute lifestyle community" They use the building they have instead of tearing them down, and give them a facelift to blend with a more eclectic style that they are creating. They are building with local recycled materials in a plant on site that is 100% solar powered. True sustainability must be a huge part of everything we do now, and places like SOMO are making that possible for many people who may not think about it. On a human level, it is about community. Focusing on pedestrians will build stronger healthier communities. I'm glad to see other places doing this as well. - Chris Thu, 21 May 2009 11:42:38 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27063 I think it's very important to use what we already have to help communities. This doesn't mean I'm against building new buildings, to the contray, building is often vital to communities, and if the environment is kept in mind, can be a positive change. However, I don't like seeing communities eliminated by giant mega marts that use slave labor in other countries to make so-called "competing" with local companies easier. Local businesses selling local products benifits communities far more than mega marts importing goods from China. There are many buildings in my city that are being reused as campus offices, which I think is a brilliant idea. Many buildings can be restored or renovated to provide spaces for the community. Keeping the environment in mind is vital. - Francis Thu, 21 May 2009 09:20:42 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27060 Wait - they are replaces all that bare empty land with, among other things, "open spaces" ? What kind of space did they have on all that empty land? - John Martinez Thu, 21 May 2009 07:11:17 +0100 http://ecogeek.org/green-software/2756#comment-27048 Those high rise buildings ought to be torn down and relegated to history as an apparition and enormous mistake and failed dream. To paraphrase cat stevens, human beings will still be there tommorow, but their mistakes may not. - Joram Wilson Wed, 20 May 2009 23:26:51 +0100