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Key Elements of Sustainable Development
The term "sustainability" was first offered in 1987 by the United Nation's World Commission on Environment and Development in its report "Our Common Future," which defined it thus: "sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The critical concept of sustainability is the recognition that there are important relationships between the competing environmental, economic, and social goals of every community, and a truly "sustainable community" results from the effective enhancement of a community's livability, while respecting and preserving the resources in which the community is located. It is in the context of striving to achieve this balance that T&B Planning has long understood, embraced, and implemented the concept of "sustainable community".
For more than 35 years, our uniquely practical vision of sustainable development has allowed us to assist our clients in achieving their project vision and business goals while establishing highly livable, "sustainable communities" throughout Southern California and Pennsylvania.
T&B Planning-designed communities are enduring and full of life because they are based on land plans that preserve and respect the natural environment; respect and reflect the cultural and historic context of the community; include land uses which support one another and the community as a whole; and provide housing opportunities for residents in a wide range of economic and social circumstances.
T&B Planning's innovative, multi-disciplinary, and practical vision of the design and entitlement of "sustainable communities" requires clear understanding and effective implementation of the following "Key Elements of Sustainable Development" in each design:
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Land Use Design: An appropriate combination of land uses within a community promotes sustainability by allowing people to conduct many aspects of their daily lives (live, work, play, and shop) within a single location, thereby shortening commute times, reducing vehicular trips, encouraging pedestrian activities and improving the overall quality of life. Paloma Del Sol features a mixed-use village center and is one of the best-selling projects in Temecula, California.
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Transportation and Circulation: Sustainable development includes efficient vehicular circulation that minimizes impacts on surrounding development, minimizes the number of vehicle trips and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging alternative transportation options, such as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, and maximizes opportunities for safe and enjoyable bicycle and pedestrian movement.
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Preservation and Stewardship: While other firms may view natural and cultural resources as an obstacle to development, we believe sustainable development integrates and celebrates the elements that are unique to each community. When designing Audie Murphy Ranch, T&B Planning worked closely with the Native American community to set aside land containing important archaeological sites, which was conveyed to the Pechanga Band of Luiseņo Indians for permanent conservation.
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Recreation and Leisure: T&B Planning seamlessly integrates parks, trail and sidewalk systems, and other recreational amenities into residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use projects as appropriate. Lilac Ranch includes miles of trails and more than 500 acres of open space for the preservation of sensitive vegetative habitat and wetlands.
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Community Character and Aesthetics: T&B Planning believes that sustainable development strikes a balance between the need and desire of communities to grow, and a community's goal of protecting and preserving its intrinsic qualities. The award-winning Pennsylvania Wilds Design Guide for Community Character Stewardship protects scenic resources, preserves farmland, limits obtrusive development, and encourages a region-wide identity.
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Energy Efficiency and Energy Alternatives: T&B Planning identifies strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the site planning, construction, and operation phases. The Serrano Commerce Center, T&B Planning's largest industrial project, includes extensive Energy Efficiency Guidelines to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and conserve water.
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Social and Civic Interaction: Sustainability is greatly influenced by the degree to which residents are invested in the social and civic fabric of their community. Our designs purposefully address the location and orientation of all kinds of public spaces, including formal and informal meeting places, to maximize opportunities for social and civic interaction.
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Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling: Our projects integrate creative and cost-effective ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. Among other techniques, we encourage the recycling of natural materials into the project design, such as utilizing native site stone for walls and monuments. Where available, our project utilize recycled water for public landscaping, encourage curb-side and project-wide landscape material recycling, and other waste reduction measures.
Sustainable Development in Practice
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