Over at Worldchanging, Sarah Kuck has some great examples from Portland of how to make green building available to everyone:
Redeveloping and retooling our cities means investing upfront to insure quality materials and sustainable development plans. This includes thinking about how to improve a neighborhood for all residents. Although there are costs that come with these investments, a dedication to equality and durability ensures long-term sustainability for the entire community.
As a Portland-native, I’m thrilled to see world-class examples from my own backyard. So, give it a read, will you? Then, tell us: what are your favorites for best practices in green building and affordability?
Matt the Engineer
There are great ideas in each of those projects. I love the hotel room built into the third project – how many people own a home with an extra bedroom meant for out of town family? This room sits empty most of the time, yet you pay to heat it and it was a significant additional expense when you bought your home. Wouldn’t it be nice to have this room separate but very close to your residence, and only have to pay for it when needed?