Is it possible to fill a 5-day program on sustainability and urban design with speakers and examples from one city? In some places around the US, this might be a difficult. But here in Portland, it’s a challenge to fit all of the projects going on here into a mere work-week. Not to mention that simultaneously there is another program focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems.
These educational series took place just last week, and with students and professionals visiting from Chile, Latvia, and representing 11 different US states, it seems that people are flocking to Oregon to get an insight into where sustainability is headed next. Topics included:
- the Urban Growth Boundary
- community developments such as Orenco Station and New Columbia
- small-scale projects such as the new high-performance music building at Da Vinci Middle School
- large-scale projects such as the Port of Portland, PoSI's EcoDistricts and the Oregon Sustainability Center
It was fascinating to hear first-hand from the key players that have made this city what it is today: architects, regional planners and strategic leaders. There is no doubt that Portland is one of the most progressive cities when it comes to urban planning, which is why many new companies and organizations who want to be part of this movement choose to locate here.
Major themes arose during the course of the week. First and foremost: collaboration is a key ingredient, whether the project is a single building or an entire community. Integrated design method has proven to be effective in creating better performing buildings at lower costs; however, it was clear that the inhabitants and users of the building need to be an integral part of the process as well. Building occupants are the vital players in determining the ultimate performance of a “green building,” no matter what level of LEED certification it may receive.
Second, a building may be designed with the intention of “disrupting,” or changing the way we behave. This is one way to meet the challenge of creating a paradigm shift to a more sustainable world.
Therefore we need buildings (whether new, rehabilitated, restored, or renovated) to “behave well” just as we need the people inhabiting them to behave well. Is there a methodology for creating a true sustainable community? Do buildings that use 50% less energy, or even make more energy than they use (such as the Oregon Sustainability Center and its ambitious Living Building Challenge standards) meet the needs of the people who use them? Affordability of these new buildings or communities is one thing, but does it make them happier? These are some of the questions that came up in our conversations after seeing many of these impressive productions.
Along the same lines, on our last day both the built and agricultural tracks came together to hear presentations on Biophilia and The Natural Step. These two methodologies both emphasize the importance of living in tune with natural systems. While sustainability explores how human behavior influences the welfare of the environment, biophilia explores how the environment influences the welfare of human behavior. By keeping these ideologies in mind while looking at the way we live, we have the ability to ask ourselves the right questions that influence our decision-making. Not only might we then be able to lead healthier lives, but also improve the health of the environment around us.
For more information on this event, visit the website: Oregon Sustainability Experience
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:02AM