Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico were at the epicenter of solar design in the 70’s and 80’s. I believe we can be on the cutting edge once again and lead the emerging sustainable economy. By bringing together our pioneering genius and deep caring, along with emerging technologies, we can collaborative integrate systems and innovations and then build neighborhoods based in real-lasting values. …
Eco-Park Comes to Santa Fe feat. Alfonz Viszolay by Seth Roffman
It’s an algae oil farm, a dairy farm, vegetable truck farm, a power station, and a classroom! and it’s coming to Santa Fe! Integrated systems, jobs, and hands-on learning. As we seek security and resiliency in times of impending climate change crises, peak oil production, rising prices, dependency on foreign oil, and long distance supply chains, some innovative individuals think …
Developers and Landowners Should Take a Page From the Past by Estevan Arellano
Balancing the preservation of water rights, development of farm land, sustainable profits from homegrown agricultural operations, and enhancing the regional food “shed” requires wisdom and innovation… If Río Arriba County can have its agricultural lands and water rights remain intact before any new developments are approved, it will not only help prevent sprawl in rural areas; ultimately, it will positively …
Tales of a Time Traveler: How This Future CameTo Be by John Goekler
John Goekler hopped aboard the time machine and reported back from his future life in a Sustainable Urban Village… It all started several years ago when a few of us got together and decided we had to create a new way to live. It was tough at first, because most people couldn’t imagine it or thought it couldn’t be done. “You guys …
Ideas For St Mike’s by Beverly Spears
Spears Architects envisioned a pedestrian/bicycle friendly “frontage lane” with parallel parking separated from thru traffic by a tree filled median… Bicycle and Pedestrian friendly “side streets” separated from thru traffic with tree filled median Lanes Reasonably narrow lanes to naturally slow traffic to posted speed limit. Stoplights to be in median, pole mounted without arms. Curbs to have tight radius corners for slower …
Gussing of the Southwest: Rising to the Challenge and Reaping the Benefits by Brian Skeele
Santa Fe could be the Gussing of the Southwest. Renewable energy, local jobs, and ecotourism, oh my! Wood gasifing operation. Today there are 27 decentralized power plants within the Güssing county, all powered by sustainable forest management. Gussing Austria has become one of the world’s living examples of a renewable energy community. Here’s how a little agricultural town of 4,000 …
St Mike’s below, Train above by Lloyd & Associates Architects
Lloyd & Associates proposed a large, circular shaped park surrounding a train station, with the mainline of St Michael’s running underneath the train station. “Frontage side streets” would serve local traffic while thru traffic traveled the length of St. Mike’s… Lloyd & Associates Architects took a bold approach to a future St. Michael’s Boulevard Lloyd & Associates Architects (Santa Fe) …
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 …
St Michael Drive the New Creative and Cultural Corridor? by Kris Swedin
Could this new creative and cultural corridor become a vibrant neighborhood and not just a place to drive through after picking up groceries? Kris Swedin calls for participation in the discussions and the sharing of your ideas… “What? The center of the city is St. Mikes?” Imagine a vibrant and innovative community stretching along St. Michael’s Drive in the center of …
St Michael’s Boulevard: Visions of the Future
In May of 2009, the City of Santa Fe presented St Michael’s Drive “Visions of the Future”. Six urban design firms and a City of Santa Fe staff planner participated in the project by providing plans/designs showing their visions of a revamped St. Michael’s Drive, the “St Michael’s Boulevard”. St Michael’s Boulevard pedestrian-friendly side street illust by Lisa Flynn, courtesy Spears Archtects Could this …