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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 Investigator Western Kentucky University Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator Learning Outcomes At 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 project 2. Describe the key role of partnerships, education, and community/media outreach - and strategies for implementation in each of these areas 3. Discuss policy barriers and strategies to effectively impact policy advances 4. 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; Landscaping WKYU-PBS Habitat for Humanity – local and state Roundstone Native Seed Arnold Consulting and Engineering Services BG Dept. of Public Works & Warren Co. Stormwater Mgmt. Dept. BG Independent Schools Bluegrass PRIDE BGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable Community River 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 loss Excess runoff flooding and water pollution Pesticide use and yard chemicals contaminate groundwater and surface water Traditional landscaping practices can cause nearly 90% of stormwater runoff to be lost so potable water is used for irrigation Disconnection of residents with nature Brings essential importance of ecosystem services to forefront Reduced vegetative cover Stewardship Compaction of soil Reduced infiltration Improved air and water quality Increased runoff Lowered urban heat island effects Decreased soil activity Increased soil health Decreased soil organic matter Impaired water and air quality Degradation Increased evapotranspiration Effective land management practices can preserve and restore ecosystems, promote water and air quality, and contribute to human and other species well-being Increased vegetative cover Reduced runoff Increased infiltration Improved soil conditions 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: Sustainability pedestrian-oriented design increased environmental and infrastructural efficiency reduced 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) Incremental Cost of Passive House, 25 yr, 0% mortgage, $9,075/(12 x 25 yrs) Cash Flow for Habitat Homeowner $101.00/month -$ 30.25/month $ 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 Communities terms – Walkable/Bikeable Communities – Livable Communities – Cohousing – New Urbanism – Cottage Neighborhoods – Traditional Neighborhood Design – Transit-oriented Development – Permaculture – EcoVillages A Few Resources 1. 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