wku & habitat for humanity bg-wc durbin estate project a model mixed-income mixed-use green...
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WKU & Habitat for Humanity BG-WC
Durbin Estate Project
A Model Mixed-Income Mixed-Use Green Affordable
Housing Community
Nancy Givens, Principle InvestigatorWestern Kentucky University
Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator
Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session participants will be able to:1.Identify key features of Low Impact Development and Light Imprint techniques as applied to this project2.Describe the key role of partnerships, education, and community/media outreach - and strategies for implementation in each of these areas3.Discuss policy barriers and strategies to effectively impact policy advances4.Explain community-building aspects of the project and their importance to the model being developed
History of Project
2006 – HFH BG-WC purchases 14.6 acre site for future build
2007 – BGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable Community presents concept to Board
2008 – Initial site plan is developed by WKU Geog-Geol class
2009 – 1st grant proposal is submitted; not funded
2010 – Federal 319(h) funding from EPA is awarded by Kentucky Division of Water
2011 – 3-year project begins in January
Objectives
1. Create a statewide demonstration project for integrated green infrastructure and affordable green housing
2. Provide professional training and community education
3. Promote cooperation among agencies, citizens, and government
4. Involve residents and the community to create a shared stewardship of environment
5. seek building policy revisions for KyHFH
Site Plan Features
Up to 50 housing units, some townhouse
Mixed income–mixed use–all ages
Integrated green infrastructure (LID)
Walking trails & shared green space
Perimeter roads w/ on street parking
Native plantings; community gardens
Affordable high performance or passive homes
Community building w/ shared functions
Community-scale renewable energy
Strength of Project = Partners
WKU - Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEES); Planning, Design & Construction; LandscapingWKYU-PBSHabitat for Humanity – local and stateRoundstone Native SeedArnold Consulting and Engineering Services BG Dept. of Public Works & Warren Co. Stormwater Mgmt. Dept.BG Independent SchoolsBluegrass PRIDEBGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable CommunityRiver Basin Coordinator + Team
Ecosystem services have not typically been valued when making land-use decisions. However, efforts to determine the monetary value of ecosystem services have placed that figure at an estimated global average of $33 trillion annually - compared with $18 trillion in global GNP (Nature, 5/97).
As many communities have found, it is difficult, expensive, and sometimes impossible to duplicate these natural services once they are destroyed.
Why Low Impact Development (LID)?
Conventional land management/construction practices contribute to:Soil compaction + sedimentation + soil lossExcess runoff flooding and water pollutionPesticide use and yard chemicals contaminate groundwater and surface waterTraditional landscaping practices can cause nearly 90% of stormwater runoff to be lost so potable water is used for irrigationDisconnection of residents with natureBrings essential importance of ecosystem services to forefront
Improved air and water quality
Lowered urban heat island effects
Increased soil health
Increased evapotranspiration
Increased vegetative cover
Reduced runoff
Increased infiltration
Improved soilconditions
StewardshipReduced vegetative cover
Compaction of soil
Reduced infiltration
Increased runoff
Decreased soil activity
Decreased soil
organic matter
Impaired waterand air quality
Degradation
Effective land management practices can preserve and
restore ecosystems, promote water and
air quality, and contribute to
human and other species well-being
What is Low Impact Development ? Goal: To try to mimic pre-development site hydrology and vegetation using site design techniques that: Store, Infiltrate, Treat, and Evaporate stormwater runoff
Conservation design Sedimentation basin, retention and detention basins Permeable Pavers and Asphalt Underground cisterns, rain barrels, and piping Rain gardens, community gardens, and edible
plantings Native plants; increased vegetation and tree cover Evaporative elements – fountains, water cascades
What is Light Imprint Development (LI)?
Light Imprint (LI) is a planning and development strategy to create compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods that emphasizes: Sustainabilitypedestrian-oriented designincreased environmental and infrastructural efficiencyreduced construction costs
Low, Thomas E. (2010). Light Imprint Handbook: Integrating sustainability and community design, version 1.3, New Urban Press, http://www.lightimprint.org/ Offers a Tool box & Matrix
Economic Benefits of Sustainable Sites
Energy savings
Climate control
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Water treatment savings
Air cleansing
Habitat and species preservation
Health Rx
Psychological health and productivity
High Performance Homes“tunneling through the cost barrier”• Increased insulation minimize HVAC system(e.g. Rocky Mountain Institute Factor 10 Engineering)
Cash Flow for Passive House: comparing investments
• Energy Cost Savings of PH (HERS 100 baseline) $101.00/month
• Incremental Cost of Passive House, 25 yr, 0% mortgage, $9,075/(12 x 25 yrs) -$ 30.25/month
• Cash Flow for Habitat Homeowner $ 70.75/month
For Comparison• Annual Return on Investment for Passive House (first year)
$70.75 x(12)/$30.25 x(12) 234.0% APY• Average Interest Rate for savings account 0.4% APY• Value of Paying off credit cards 24.0% max. APY• Value of Paying off Pay Day Lender 780.0% max. APY
• Energy Prices WILL go up. The return only gets better!
Analysis by Ginger Watkins, Sustainable Building Specialist, KY Habitat for Humanity
Green Mountain Habitat, Charlotte, VT
Education & Outreach Habitat for Humanity trainings for affiliate chapters
• Annual Conference• On-site training
WKYU-PBS 30 min. broadcast about project and BMPs for karst enviroments; training DVD
Education and site tours for educators and school groups
Trail signage Professional development trainings w/ City
professionals and local HfH builders Broad dissemination through media and social
networking
Policy Barriers and strategies to impact policy
Close relationships with City planning and zoning officials
Representation on Advisory Council by City and County stormwater management professionals
Presentations to KY HFH annual conference
Presentations to state and local Builders Associations
Strong media focus
Community building aspects and importance
Neighborhood meetings
“Sweat equity” by homebuilders
HFH “it takes a team” ethic
On-street parking; sidewalks; front porches
Educational programming & shared functions
Walking trails, community gardens, green space
Homeowner’s association
6 Defining characteristics of co-housing
1. Participatory process
2. Neighborhood design – clustered homes, shared green space, parking at periphery, intentional design for community
3. Common facilities
4. Resident management
5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making
6. No shared community economy!!
From The CoHousing Association of the United States
Livable Communitiesterms
– Walkable/Bikeable Communities– Livable Communities– Cohousing– New Urbanism– Cottage Neighborhoods– Traditional Neighborhood
Design– Transit-oriented Development– Permaculture– EcoVillages
A Few Resources1. A Kentucky resource for Low Impact Development –
Bluegrass PRIDE “Gray to Green site (http://www.gray2greenky.com/).
2. Sustainable Sites Initiative http://www.sustainablesites.org/why/
3. University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, 2007 Annual Report http://ciceet.unh.edu/unh_stormwater_report_2007/ SC_Report_2007.pdf
4. North Carolina Low Impact Development Group http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/lid/certification.html
5. The Cohousing Association of the United States http://www.cohousing.org/
6. Cohousing Resource Center http://www.cohousing.org/resource_center