"Over 1.5 million single family homes went up in the United States in 2003 alone, and the vast majority of them, sadly, following not a single green design principle." Not only was green design, which is the search for better choices from an environmental perspective, not considered in these homes, neither were the millions of already existing homes within our cities. Modern construction and increasing sprawl are completely out of sync with the ecosystem of the planet and not only is the environment suffering, so is the condition of our cities. The location and inefficiency of these cookie cutter homes greatly contribute to the increasing dependency on automobiles, the clogging of landfills, the destruction of natural wilderness areas and the decrease in human social interaction. Creating a better alternative to the quickly multiplying new homes of suburban America is crucial to improving the future of the environment and the fabric of our cities. By revitalizing the dilapidated, often historic, neighborhoods of our inner cities with green design and building techniques we can improve the fabric of our cities and the daily life of their inhabitants.Located not far from downtown Richmond and littered with bus stops, public schools, parks and markets, the location of the Byrd Park neighborhood works to the advantage of its inhabitants as well as to the advantage of the environment. These convenient factors make Byrd Park appealing, but with further design and development of the existing residential structures the neighborhood will be more attractive and accommodating for a broader range of people. With the help of design, it can be a culturally rich, diverse, safe, comfortable and convenient neighborhood with accommodations for various lifestyles and income levels. Attracting a broader range of people will intern create an area rich in culture, social stimulation and diversity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd_retro-1144 |
| Date | 01 January 2007 |
| Creators | Harris, Laura E. |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Retrospective ETD Collection |
| Rights | © The Author |
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