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Principles
We have developed a set
of principles to guide our
practice: Diversity, Environmental Responsibility, Livelihood,
Interdependence, and Impermanence.
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Diversity
The
first principle is to increase the diversity of
the places in which we work. We know that biological systems thrive
when they are diverse, and fail if they become monocultures. This
principle also applies to cities, cultures, and bioregions. We thus try
to design communities that accommodate the elderly, young people
getting started with their careers, single parents, parents with kids,
extended families, and the many other types of family structures.
Healthy communities also mix public places—residences, places
of work, marketplaces, centers for education, culture and spiritual
search. We have found that mixed uses support one other. Mixed uses
also act as a defense during economic swings that may affect a portion
of the economy. (For more about diversity, see our colleagues at www.cnu.org
and www.enterprisefoundation.org.)
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Environmental Responsibility
Environmental
responsibility includes both where
and how we develop. We carefully choose both the right places to build
and the right places to leave unbuilt. Once we have selected the right
place to build, we try to establish an environmentally and socially
appropriate program. In the design and construction process, we call
for separation demolition and construction waste and use energy
efficient systems and appliances. In the final product, we aim for good
insulation, south facing courtyards, and recycled or recyclable
construction materials. (For more about environmental responsibility,
see our colleagues at www.tpl.org and www.buildinggreen.com.)
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Livelihood
In
the new economy, the boundaries between work
life and personal life are disappearing. The quality of integration of
one's work with the rest of one's personal goals is expressed by our
next principle, livelihood. Economic development often is measured
solely by job creation, home ownership rates, and the flow of dollars.
We believe that an economic development paradigm should focus on
livelihoods rather than jobs. A livelihood is an enriched, balanced
life. This includes meaningful work that supports one's needs, but that
also supports a sustainable culture by including family and communal
life. Community design plays a significant role in enhancing
livelihood. We also note that the more the economic products of a
community recycle within the community, the better it is able to
sustain itself. The less time one spends commuting to work, the easier
it is to integrate work, family, and community. The shape of our
communities shape our lives. (For example, see the National Trust for
Historic Preservation's "Mainstreet program." at www.mainst.org)
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Interdependence
Interdependence
is the relationship between
projects, their users, and their surroundings. This final principle
unifies the first three. The better we understand the subtle effects of
the places we build, the less we disrupt the web of life, and the more
we strengthen the health of the communities we create. (See www.firstnations.org)
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Impermanence
Along
with interdependence, we recognize
impermanence: things change. This provides us with hope and a sense of
responsibility. Since things change, we can improve current conditions.
However, we also have a responsibility to plan for the future, to
design in a way that is adaptable. We try to design and build so that
human and natural environments can change for the better.
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