From our friends at the Federal Highway Administration comes this condensed summary on the Benefits of Livability. Seriously, the FHA is part of a federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities that includes the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing. All trying to do good work by sharing their expertise and coordinating their efforts.
Aside from a bit of jargon, there are great points here. They begin by listing some of the Economic Benefits (including energy savings and lower maintenance costs) followed by Public Health Benefits (which gets personal pretty quickly), and finally they address Environmental Benefits, pointing notably to air and water quality and global warming.
Sustainability covers a lot of ground, and Pringle Creek Community has a long list of features that include concrete initiatives like:
- Renewable Energy (geothermal and solar energy);
- Green Building (LEED Platinum or LEED Gold Homes, restored Community Center building certified Net-Zero Energy by the International Living Building Challenge);
- 100% Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) lumber protects watersheds, forest diversity and habitat;
- Green Streets dramatically (90%) reduce run-off and pollution of local streams;
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Electric Vehicle in front of Solar Powered Painters Hall Cafe
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Livability covers even more ground, and Pringle Creek Community has a list to match:
- Community Gardens, Orchards and restored Greenhouses
- Neighborhood Café and Village Green
- Community Center for public events and private parties
- Walking Trails connect a variety of Parks and Open Space
- Housing Diversity means neighbors of all ages and family make-up
- Healthy Homes (fresh air) and Healthy Lifestyles (walking and biking)
- Porches, Parks, Benches and Chairs offer places to meet and visit with friends or make new ones
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Community Stream Restoration Effort
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For a look at the longer list of Livability and Sustainability Benefits and Features from the U.S. Department of Transportation check out the long version of their summary: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/livability/state_of_the_practice_summary/research2011.pdf
For a look at a remarkable sustainable community in Salem, Oregon, check out our website at www.pringlecreek.com, our blog at or better yet call ahead for tour and come out and explore for yourself . . .
