June 25, 2008
This post was written by Clara Fishel
Savannah resident Ardis Wood has an interesting letter to the editor in today’s SMN where she implores the Georgia Department of Transportation to actually work with (rather than around) the Sav/Chatham County MPO. I don’t know about all those politics (though I’m sure John could enlighten us), but I was struck by the conclusion of her letter. She writes,
Because roads don’t go through a vacuum. They define a community and create, for better or worse, the place where we experience our city and one another in the public realm.
I had to think about that one for a minute. Part of me automatically asssociates our parks and squares as THE place where we experience our city and one another in the public realm. But then I think of the (majority of) Savannah outside of the historic district/ardsley park/parkside and how I get there and experience the rest of the city. I think about the bike lanes I travel to and from work on, I think about the experience of traffic and looking for parking and about connectivity.
We know when and where there are potholes on our well-traveled routes and that we hate traffic and ill-timed traffic lights and looking for parking. We know that we should all look both ways and use turn signals and wear helmets and seat belts and look out for one another -but we don’t always do such a good job of that.
What does a system of roads that creates community look like? What needs to happen for the place where we experience our city and one another in the public realm become a healthy place? Do we really need to redesign the roads we travel or just travel better?
Posted in Planning, Politics, Transportation 
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June 23, 2008
This post was written by John Bennett
I was too lazy this morning to pack a lunch and I was too busy to leave the office. As a result, I ate out of a styrofoam takeout container. Sad. Then I remembered something I’d read recently in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Florida’s Eckerd College has started a voluntary program through which students can register for reusable takeout containers. How in the world does this work? I’ll let the Eckerd College Web site explain:
Eckerd students can sign up for an EcoClamshell in the cafeteria during any meal. The student’s account is charged five dollars, covering the student’s four years at Eckerd, unless the container is lost or destroyed. The student checks out an EcoClamshell, fills it with food and exits the cafeteria. Upon returning to the cafeteria, the student checks the container back in and places it on the dishwasher conveyor, where it is sanitized and put out for reuse. This creates a closed loop system where the container circulates for years before being retired to a recycling center.
Read more here.
Could the reusable clamshell survive outside of a college campus’ protective ecosystem? Obviously there are some obstacles. Would health department regulations even allow it? Would washing plastic instead of buying styrofoam increase costs for restaurants? Increase hassles?
Reusing containers is not a new idea. I’m not old enough to remember milkmen, but I’m almost certain the tales of leaving empty bottles out for return and refilling at the dairy are not urban legends. But, again, would it work in a restaurant? Maybe if a place is committed to sustainable practices and has enough regular customers, reusable containers could be viable. While not educational in nature, I’m reminded of another Florida institution which assigns serving vessels to individual customers, although these generally don’t leave the building:
A Ken’s mug is more than just a simple piece of plastic. For those lucky enough to have one, it is more like a rite of passage. Usually offered once a semester, anyone who is interested can obtain a Ken’s mug with a little work. After one (of at least 21 years of age) waits long enough, a $35 fee must be paid to receive the mug. Once a mug is purchased, it can last a lifetime as long as its owner makes a point to quench their thirst at Ken’s at least once each semester. Many FSU graduates return just to retain the life of their mug and the drink specials and notoriety that come with it.
What a great way to build customer loyalty. Read more here.
Posted in Food, Recycling 2 Comments »
June 19, 2008
This post was written by Betsey Brairton
From Effingham County one morning this week, Michael Maddox wrote in his blog, “After many long months, or more correctly years, I finally have approval from the Effingham County Commission to proceed with my project.”
The project, Green Bridge Farm, is one I have mentioned here before, and it’s been covered in local news.
Initial resistance from the county stemmed from Maddox’s request for a variance to have the community road paved with recycled concrete rather than asphalt. The variance was hard won and took many months to secure as an act of conservation. But it was worth, it, Maddox says: “This will pave the way for the future … for subdivisions [that are environmentally concerned].”
As a resident of a Wilmington Island neighborhood that was, 10 years ago, a big beautiful chunk of woods, I appreciate Maddox’s commitment to respect his property by limiting tree clearance and creating other eco-friendly covenants for home builders. The other new homes are nice, but they are haunted by the trees.
Another highlight of the project is that Maddox’s own organic garden and orchard will anchor the community of nine residential lots. Residents will be encouraged to participate in a community garden maintained by the association, offering a unique opportunity for people to grow their own food.
This is a little green gem worth checking out. Located not far from the rapidly developing areas of Pooler, Bloomingdale and Guyton, it seems a safe haven. Hopefully, it will get noticed and become a good example for communities to come.
Photo courtesy Conlawprof via flickr.com
Posted in Community Gardens, Green Building, Planning, Preservation 4 Comments »
June 16, 2008
This post was written by Clara Fishel
It’s summer and I’ve had air conditioning on the brain -price to run it, high; emissions from it, high; temp in the grocery stores these days, way too low; etc. I was working on minimizing my home usage without melting away when I came across this announcement from my alma mater.
The University of California, Davis’ Western Cooling Efficiency Center and its partners (including Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sempra Energy, Southern California Edison, Target Corporation, Wal-Mart, the California Energy Commission, and the U.S. Department of Energy, among others) announced the Western Cooling Challenge for the design, production, and marketing of high-efficiency rooftop cooling units for dry climates. The Challenge will help Western States to meet their green-house gas reduction targets, and supports a policy directive from the California Public Utilities Commission. It offers a major opportunity for the HVAC industry to begin to transition to a climate-sensitive future.
The partnership between academia, business, utilities & govt. is inspired regional problem solving that will create creative, green jobs in the process of lowering GHG emissions and operating costs in buildings that utilize the new tech.
How about the same sort of solution for our humid climates . . . GA Tech, SCAD, UGA, Home Depot, Southern Company. . . It doesn’t always have to be the west.
Connect Savannah recently featured THIS article by Jim Motavalli, editor of E: The Environmental Magazine. The article pointed out that while the southeast continues to be a huge GHG emitter and is still lagging on per capita investment in green technology (it’s the nation’s lowest), sales of Energy Star products and policies to address climate change, we seem to finally be waking up.
What’s goin’ on around here: Do any of you readers know of cool regional partnerships addressing sustainability issues?
Posted in Business, Energy, Global Warming, Green Building 1 Comment »
June 10, 2008
This post was written by John Bennett
This Sunday’s New York Times Magazine featured a short interview with Enrique Peñalosa, a former mayor of Bogata, Columbia and current urban planning consultant. Peñalosa is associated with Bogata’s Ciclovia, described by Streets Films’ Clarence Eckerson, Jr. as “a weekly event in which over 70 miles of city streets are closed to traffic where residents come out to walk, bike, run, skate, recreate, picnic, and talk with family, neighbors and strangers…”
Eckerson’s street film about Ciclovia is viewable here.
Now Ciclovia is migrating north. Could Savannah support a Ciclovia? Judging from the more than 250 people who turned out for the Savannah Bicycle Campaign’s April Savannah Wheelie ride, during which the streets were only temporarily closed, it’s likely longer street closings would tempt even more cyclists explore our streets. It’s nice to imagine my fellow citizens being able to use public spaces, which most of the time are designed and managed for the benefit of only one type of vehicle. Or as Peñalosa told the times:
“We are designing cities for cars, cars, cars, cars, cars. Not for people. Cars are a very recent invention. The 20th century was a horrible detour in the evolution of the human habitat. We were building much more for cars’ mobility than children’s happiness.”
UPDATE: There’s a poll up now on the Savannah Bicycle Campaign Web site asking visitors to vote on which streets they would like to see closed to motorized traffic, so that they could be used by pedestrians, cyclists and skaters. Vote and even suggest alternate locations here.
Posted in Government, Recreation, Transportation No Comments »
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