Imagining a Sustainable Urban Village by Stephanie Hiller

Our world is changing radically, yet we struggle to stay the same. We face multiple threats to our continuance: dwindling supplies of oil, gas, and various metals; diminishing access to pure drinking water; strange weather and rising temperatures; spreading pollution and the ever present threat of nuclear war. How can we respond to these overwhelming challenges, and survive? Avoidance will …

Commons Vignettes, or 144 Reasons to Live in Community compiled by Ken Hughes

The Commons on the Alameda is a 28 home clustered, co-housing compound in Santa Fe. With parking on the perimeter,  a delightful pedestrian path connects a series of placitas. (editor note * with more space online, the GFT article 101 Reasons to live in Community has expanded..Enjoy!  28 unit Co-Housing, with shared grounds, laundry, common house The Commons on the …

Milla Real “The Royal Mile” by Richard Macpherson

Santa Fe City Planner,  Richard Macpherson’s water color inspired by Barcelona’s La Rambla,  features a tree lined promenade… Designed for cars and pedestrians-a place for all ages to enjoy, stroll along, have a conversation, shop, have lunch or dinner… My future vision of St. Michael’s Drive is a roadway which is not only designed for cars, but is equally designed …

Higher Education Learning Center Launches by Brian Skeele

“The Santa Fe Higher Learning Center will be a boost to our community and our local economy. By increasing access to higher education we improve the quality of our workforce,” said Chris Abeyta, chair of the Learning Center District Board and of SFCC’s Governing Board. Students can earn a four-year degree without leaving Santa Fe, and at a price that …

Envisioning a Sustainable Urban Village: A Puzzle of 1000 Pieces by Brian Skeele

Sustainability is a Puzzle of 1000 Pieces.  As we rearrange the pieces to design a Sustainable Urban Village (SUV),  Green Fire Times quest associate editor Brian Skeele (yours truly) got to ask the paradigm shifting questions…What would make a SUV such a great place, you’d move in?!   What are the best practices emerging in your field, and how can we rearrange these puzzle pieces for maximum affordability and beauty?… Some …

A Social Catalyst for St. Michael's Drive by Roy Wroth

Roy Wroth calls for a “development from within”, building local capacity in surrounding neighborhoods. His vision calls for neighborhood “gateways” to St. Mikes to function as community centers/small business incubators… Existing neighborhoods (yellow) build new civic and economic districts (blue) as “gateways” to St Michael’s Drive. Just few years ago, a conventional approach to redeveloping St. Michael’s Drive was still feasible. …