U r b a n T r e k k e r

Pictures from 2009 Solar Decathlon

I went to see about 6 solar homes at the competition on Friday, when the weather was really really nice. The use of reclaimed something like reclaimed wood, barn, benches - anything that you can think of the second life of a material - is big. We come to an era where you'd see more and more the re-use of material for home constructions. Smart, sustainable kitchen countertops can be made of reuse, recycle materials like concrete, glass, newspaper, etc. 

Here are some pictures from the competition.

 

2009 Solar Decathlon village

 

Team U of Missouri, kitchen cabinets made of Kirei board (reclaimed sorghum straws)

 

BIPV panels (building integrated photo voltaics) at Team Ontario North House

 

Interesting ceilings (not sure what to make of this.. imagine if you have to vacuum it one by one..)

 

Floating bed

 

Team Boston exterior

 

kitchen made of reclaimed wood at U of Puerto Rico

 

Cross-ventilation
 

Utility monitor at Team California Refract House

 

Use of reclaimed barn at Team Ohio

 

Team Ohio utility room

 

utility room

 

Stone mosaic made of botany bay pebble

 

Liquid stone countertops (combination of Portland cement, crushed glass aggregate, silica, steel mesli, and etc.)

 

Universal design bathroom

 

Natural fusion (with plants) kitchen at Team Penn State

 

Natural Fusion bathroom

More pictures to come, so check back later..

Zoning Key to Creating Sustainable Communities

World Changing had this 3-min video, Built to Last, posted on their site. Built to Last is the winner of Congress New Urbanism video contest. Think citizens involvement is very important to zoning. With proper zoning (hmm..) we can have walkable, sustainable communities.

The outstanding 3-minute video asks the question “What’s the greatest threat to our planet?” and shows how reimagining our cities and suburbs to be sustainable and walkable will cut carbon emissions, commutes and calories. "When it comes to saving the planet, what we build is the greatest threat…or the greatest hope," say the filmmakers in Built to Last.

Our communities are not built to last according to this clip, because of urban sprawling, and cul-de-sacs make it worse! And I am so glad that Virginia DOT  finally comes to terms with "banning cul-de-sacs" (though not banned outright, at least discourage the development of new ones). Around my hood alone, there's more than 3 cul-de-sacs - in the tiny hood. Add that to the whole county collection of dead-end. Sheesh...

Arlington's Smart Growth Journey, the Movie

Arlington's Smart Growth Journey is a documentary movie chronicling the transformation of Arlington to become a liveable, walkable communities. Arlington didn't get to transform itself into smart growth communities just like that. There's lot of politics, citizen involmentment, etc. to make it happen. If you look at the timeline that shows the county's smart growth throughout the decades, you'll see that it took more than 30 years in the making. (So, don't feel bad with Dulles Metrorail project - phase 1 - that won't get done until 2013).

image: 1950s Arlington County

Timelines of few key events, via Arlington County.

1950s
July 1952 - Congress passes National Capital Planning Act
March 1954 - MD and VA general assemblies approve joint commission

1960s
April 1960 - Board endorses proposal to plan for mass transit transportation system
July 1960 - President Einsenhower signs rapid transit bill

1970s
December 1970 - Groundbreaking day for the 98 mile, $2.5 billion Regional metro Rapid Rail Transit System
November 1972 - Rosslyn- Ballston '72 plan adopted

1980s
May 1980 - Ballston sector plan adopted
August 1982 - I-66 opened through Arlington

There's more here.

By the way, the movie got rave reviews from Smart Growth.

It's worth watching the movie. Very fascinating story. Arlington's Smart Growth Journey premiere was on the 11th of May, however, you can watch it here online or buy a copy for $5 here.

(Post first appear on Talking Green)

Bike Sharing Arlington

The area gas prices just hit above $4. Could it be that this is the year for bike sharing or bike commuting? It is cheaper than the $4 gas and healthier (not counting the air + pollution we inhale).

Okay, first DC's bike sharing, which by the way (tentatively) wheels out sometime in June  instead of last month.

Next stop: Arlington gets to roll out its own bike sharing. Maybe it's also appropriate that they named the program, 'NextBike.'

"..The program, called Nextbike, will feature between 100 and 200 bikes that will be tied up with cable locks at an estimated 40 orange Zipcar poles along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, as well as in front of Metro stations.." [Examiner]

Bike sharing is bike sharing. To use the service, you have to pay a membership (annual) fee - it's $40 in Arlington to use the bike and hourly fee added to it - to wheels around Arlington. The first half-hour is free. However, because of Virginia gets involved (read: gives $200k grant), the cost to roll out this kind of program is cheaper than in DC. Borrowing the internet strategy, this program is funded also through advertising, because Arlington can't participate in street advertising or bus shelter like DC.

For now you can't take your bike to cross the bridge to DC. It said that officials are talking about bike exchange, where you can exchange a bike from Arlington to DC and vice versa. (with nextbike, you can only wheels around in Arlington).

But Arlington bike commuters will not be able to ride across the bridge into the District because insurance provisions prevent companies from allowing their bicycles to be ridden in other jurisdictions.

Darn. I wonder how would they track these bikes to not crossing DC? It's only a bridge away..

>> Link: Arlington-DC Bike commuting resources

Bike Sharing DC

image: Flickr

Smartbike DC, a self-service bike sharing (membership-based) is coming to DC this May, brought to you by Clear Channel outdoor in collaboration with DC department of transportation. (h/t CoolTown Studio)

"Historians of bike sharing programs all credit Clear Channel Outdoor with a pioneering role. The very first self-service bike rental program was ours in the city of Rennes in France in 1998, and  subsequently, our programs rapidly spread to Scandinavia and Spain. SmartBike is the only bicycle rental program of its kind in the world: well tested, user and environmentally friendly and complementary to other modes of public transportation."

Initially there will be 10 rental locations scatter around DC from Foggy Bottom to Dupont Circle to Shaw to Convention Center.

Here is how it works (via their website). Signed up online (pay $40 and some change). Then receive a user card that needs to be activated online. Once activated, you can pick up a bike from any of the stations around town. When you're done, drop it off at any bike station. You can only use the bike for not more than 3 hours. Basically, allow you enough time to go from places to places but no more than that. Oh by the way, you have to be 18 years or older to ride their bikes.

If you lose the bike, you'd pay $200 fee. (Maybe they'll come up with some sort of bike insurance or something so users don't get ding with the fee.) Since all of the revenues and users' fees go back to DDOT, the use of bike is actually free.. at least for now.

What a great idea!

 

7 Metro DC Major Projects

The seven mega projects slated for the region (in the master planning) worth at least $15 billion with two projects (Nationals ballpark and National Harbor) scheduled to be completed early this year. According to Greater Washington Initiative, these projects will transform the region. Think housing.

1) Washington Dulles International expansion: Phase 1 in 2009
$4 billion capital investment project, including new runway to accommodate a 67% increase in aircraft operations by 2010.   

2) Rockville: Completion by 2012
More than 1,000 acres under development. 2500 residential units, 550 hotel rooms and 13 office buildings. Plus 775k s.f. of retails.

3) NOMA (North of Mass. Ave.): Phase 1 in 2009
7 million s.f of new development, 400 new hotel rooms, 2200 new residential units. NPR to relocate to NOMA.

4) Dulles Corridor Metrorail project: Phase 1 supposed to be completed in 2013, phase 2 in 2015 (this is questionable, since we're not sure if VA gets the funding or not). However, it would be a catalyst for Tysons Corner urbanization, new offices, retails and expansion of Tysons Corner center.

5) National Harbor: Phase 1 in 2008
300-acre waterfront and residential living on the banks of Potomac river over at Prince Georges county side. Development of 4,000 new hotel rooms, plus Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

6) Intercounty Connector: Late 2011 or early 2012
New, 18-mi highway connecting Montgomery county and Prince Georges county over at Maryland's site.

7) Washington Nationals Ballpark (almost completed). Only 17 days to grand opening.

source: Greater Washington Initiative

Technorati Tags: greater washington initiative,dulles rail,national harbor,intercounty connector,washington nationals,north of mass ave.,noma,tysons corner,washington dc,real estate,real estate trends,housing market,northern virginia,dulles airport,rockville,maryland,bethesda,urban living,waterfront living,alexandria real estate,prince georges

SymbioCity Sustainable Urban Development

One of the conferences I attended at WIREC 2008 was this one: SymbioCity, Sweden's approach to sustainable urban development. SymbioCity is Sweden's answer to get more for less by integrating different urban technology solutions to create synergy effects. Symbiosis in Swedish means '..the integration of two or more organism in a mutually beneficial union.."   

I was literally ga-ga when I heard them talking about the concept. SymbioCity is a 'big picture' concept looking inward at creating a better environment for the society. When you look at how municipality works, you find that each of the function operates separately. We get a combination of urban planning, sewage, trash companies that are working independently of one another.

Sweden started early with their sustainable approach. Took the leading role in organizing the first UN conference on the environment - held in, yes, Stockholm in 1972. During the oil crisis in the 70's and 80's, they realized that they needed find new sources of energy. What a concept! Unlike the US, Sweden stay true to their concept/ approach - to this day. The focus never been short-term, but rather long-term. Long-term approach is key.

The results, according to their data.

• Since the 70's, the dependence on oil for heating and electricity production in Sweden has gone down by 90%
• Over the period 1990-2006 Swedish carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 9% while at the same time GNP increased by 44%.

The thing is, Sweden also a big oil and gas producer in the world! So, what does this tell us? They take their 'environmental policies' very serious. And it pays off. Because for them sustainable growth is a shared responsibility, a cooperation between the stakeholders (public-private partnerships) and citizens.

The symbiosis in SymbioCity includes, combine waste management and heat production for a new power, waste water treatment and traffic systems for biofuel that can be used for public transport, and combine industrial waste heat with the municipal energy plant that help cut energy production costs in half.  The concept is scalable. It can be implemented in small (a building), medium (district) to large (city) scale.

Hammarby, a model district sits on a former brownfield area in Stockholm, is a true success in itself. 

• Automatic underground waste collection systems
• District heating and cooling system fueled partly by local waste collection and by heat exchanger in water treatment
• Solar-powered hot water and electricity
• Biogas from household sewage water and waste
• Collection and filtration of runoff water
• Super-efficient buildings, green roofs, et.

The concept has been duplicated all over the world: China, Canada and South Africa. The first construction phases completed in 2000. There will be 11,000 apartments and 35,000 workplaces and 25,000 residents.

One word for their environmental success: a-ma-zing. At the same time, property values also increased by 26%!

Heard for the first time at the conference, the term 'district heating'. This district heating thing needs another post.

District heating is far more efficient than traditional individual household heating and thus releases much less carbon dioxide. From 1990, Swedish carbon dioxide emissions from district heating have been reduced by 60% or three times the EU targets for 2020. The use of fossil oil in district heating has gone down from 80% to 3% and the total Swedish carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 25% since the 70’s thanks to district heating.

As a country, Sweden is number #3 in the world based on '2008 Environmental Performance Index,' a method of quantifying and numerically scaling the environmental performance of a set of companies or countries. For a comparison, the U.S. is nowhere near the top 30 countries in the world (#39).

You see, it takes them long-time (20+ years) to get where Sweden is today. Clean environment. Locally produced clean energy. Green living. Now that we're faced with rising oil prices, slow economy, etc., - only recently interests in energy-efficiency, energy independence - hit the high gear. It is something that we (all) can agree on that long-term vision in urban growth is desperately needed here.

The question here, how much time do we have to do all this?

Crossposted at Talking Green

image & data: SymbioCity

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Bob Peck Redevelopment Approves

Before and After: Bob Peck redevelopment

A new TOD [transit-oriented-development] gets approval from the County. Located a few blocks from Ballston Metro, at intersection of Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard, the 4.82 acre project will include two office buildings, incorporating more than 400,000 square feet of office space and 36,000 square feet of retail space; 90 units of affordable housing, and 28 townhouses. Via press release.

“This project has it all,” said County Board Chairman Walter Tejada. “It adds to our stock of affordable housing in the Metro corridor. It replaces a  car dealership with well-designed, environmentally sustainable buildings that will offer first-class office space, ground-floor retail space, and a mix of affordable and market-rate homes. It will benefit the Ballston area and the neighboring community.” 

The last parcel for redevelopment in Ballston metro area gets a nod from Arlington county board. The site sits on the former Bob Peck dealership located a few blocks away from the Metro station.

A couple of things going for the project.

• Project seeks for Gold and Silver LEED certification (there are two buildings)
• Additional 66 affordable units which will rent anywhere between $1,050 (1br) to $1,500 (3br) designed to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability measures through EarthCraft rating
• Contribution of $5.9 million for affordable housing, utility under-grounding, full streetscape and substantial open space
• 28 market rate townhouse

:: Previous posts on Bob Peck, here and here.

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FTA Says No to Dulles Metrorail?

A few days ago I wrote something about Dulles rail utility relocation work. Now this? Washington Post  is reporting that FTA [Federal Transit Administration] might not give the much needed $900 million of federal matching dollars for Dulles metrorail. Without the fed funding, there won’t be any metrorail! Via Washington Post.

The federal government will not fund the Metro extension to Dulles International Airport without drastic changes, officials said yesterday, effectively scuttling a $5 billion project planned for more than 40 years and widely considered crucial to the region’s economic future.

…….

Kaine said Virginia officials and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the project, would address the concerns of Simpson and Peters by Monday. But several project supporters, including state and congressional officials, said privately that it would not be possible to meet all of the federal government’s demands. The federal and state governments have spent more than $140 million in planning the rail line. [emphasis mine]

Simply stunning! The Feds has put us on the wrong track. A big ‘disappointment’ for Washington DC region, specifically for Virginia. Most importantly, is that we need to solve the transportation problems around here. It doesn’t really matter anymore whether elevated track or tunnel. Though, I strongly support the tunnel version. Just give us the funding, please.

Speaking about climate change. What about smart growth? Plus, the benefits of taking thousands of cars from the road that is not only reducing gas consumption but also reducing CO2 emission.

What are they thinking?

Crossposted with Urban Tysons

DC: Got Parking?

For some reason, there is something about parking in the City. Competition for space is fierce, space is scarce (higher demand vs. low supply) and it's pricey. If you park on the street, you run the risk of getting head-to-head with DC parking enforcement officers who can stick a parking ticket in your windshield in a blink. Boy, they're faster than superman! No wonder owner of parking space eagerly await for the time when opportunity to sell comes around.

And they were gone fast.

In 2007, there were 6 existing parking spaces sold in the District and one in Alexandria. These spaces are existing or resale, typically sold in a condo building for a current or future owner of a unit in the same building, which is part of the requirement for the sale. Many times, a parking space is bought and sold due to supply and demand.

Buying a new condo is a different story. Because when you buy new condo in the District -- 'a' parking space is sold separately than the unit -- most of the time. In other words, you would have to scoop extra money to park your baby. On average it would cost an additional $40k and up for a space.

Resale Parking Transactions for 2007

Address	Listing Price	Sold Price
5903 Mount Eagle Dr. #31, Alexandria	$30,000	$30,000 (Dec)
1545 18th St. NW #P41, DC	$35,000	$35,000 (Jul)
1926 New Hampshire Ave #00, DC	$45,000	$45,000 (Aug)
809 6th St. NW #P4, DC	$45,000	$45,000 (Sep)
154518th St NW #P16, DC	$50,000	$50,000 (Aug)
1545 18th St NW #P33, DC	$50,000	$50,000 (Oct)
1818 P St. NW #P41, DC	$60,000	$50,000 (Apr)

On average, the price per square footage in the District ranged from the low $300-ish to high $584. That's about the same as the per s.f. price for a condo.

Parking is a pricey proposition for a homeowner with a car, no matter how you flip it. Is it worth the investment? Even if you justify it by thinking that you can rent out your space for say, $200 a month. On a $50k spot, we're talking about some 20 years to get your money back. What about the money you spend monthly on your car related expenses, i.e. insurance, gas, etc.? That at least a couple of hundred dollars that you could have saved.

So- why spend extra money when you can wheels around inexpensively with car sharing? Like Zip-Flexcar (it's one co. now).

data: MRIS

 

Technorati Tags: zipcar,flexcar,car sharing,car free living,dc parking enforcement