December 19, 2013

Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents With Farms

When you picture a housing development in the suburbs, you might imagine golf courses, swimming pools, rows of identical houses. But now, there’s a new model springing up across the country that taps into the local food movement: Farms — complete with livestock, vegetables and fruit trees — are serving as the latest suburban amenity. Read more from NPR.

November 13, 2013

National Association of Realtors survey says smart growth communities are preferred

Americans favor walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, with 56 percent of respondents preferring smart growth neighborhoods over neighborhoods that require more driving between home, work and recreation. Read More

July 8, 2013

Viable LID project properties could change the face of SA development

After more than four months of competition, only eight teams remain in San Antonio’s first-ever Low Impact Development (LID) Design Competition organized by the San Antonio River Authority in partnership with the San Antonio Land/Water Sustainability Forum. The final round of judging will take place at the award ceremony on July 10, and the winning team in each category will be awarded $15,000. Individual seats and corporate tables are currently available for purchase, as are sponsorship opportunities. Learn More

June 19, 2013

AIA Presents 3rd Annual Sustainable Urban Development Luncheon, August 1st in San Antonio

Featuring Edward Mazria, Founder and CEO, Architecture 2030, a non-partisan, non-profit research organization developing planning, policy, and design solutions for low-carbon, resilient built environments worldwide. Details

February 25, 2013

A look at Green Infrastructure

Much of the focus about funding the State Water Plan is centered around significant public investments for traditional infrastructure such as treatment plants, pipes and damns; an expensive and sort-term strategy. Green Infrastructure provides much more cost-effective, long-term healthy natural systems for providing plentiful, clean water supply. Learn about Green Infrastructure from American Rivers here. Another great read about Green Infrastructure from the EPA here.

February 6, 2013

Design opportunity for Hill Country Towns

Design is an important tool for rural communities to build upon existing assets and improve the way a community looks, its quality of life, and its economic viability. A grant opportunity exists through the Citizen’s Institute on Rural Design to help your community to design for the future. The deadline to apply is March 5th. Learn More

February 1, 2013

Low Impact Design Competition

San Antonio is looking for the best Low Impact Development Design and we can’t wait to see some great examples! Competition kicks off next week.Details