The green movement shouldn't be elitist. At present, green building and renovating tends to be an exercise solely for those with the means to afford it. But in order for the green movement to be truly effective, it is imperative that it reach all sectors of the population. That being said, New York City's Mayor Bloomberg recently announced a proposal for a working-class initiative to build a low- and moderate-income housing in the Bronx.
The project, aptly named "Via Verde," which translates to "the Green Way," calls for the creation of 202 apartments on city-owned tracts. Sixty of the units will be for sale, and the rest of the units will be rentals. What's exciting about this proposal is that the buildings must be designed as eco-friendly and sustainable, including green roofs and the possible utilization of geothermal loops for HVAC, as well as other technological advances.
Ground is to be broken sometime in mid-2008. The units to be sold will be available only to households with earnings totalling no more than 130 percent of the city's median income---currently $70,000 per year for a family of four---and the rental units will house families earning 40-to-80 percent of the city's median income.
A project like Via Verde not only demonstrates the affordability of going green, but also illustrates just how deeply the green movement is influencing all aspects of the private and public sectors. Healthier and smarter building practices are beginning to touch all walks of life along the economic spectrum. Things couldn't get much more exciting than that!
Via Verde Project Links
- The NHNY Legacy Project
- Dattner Architects
- Jonathan Rose Cos.
- Department of Housing Preservation & Development
This topic was published as part of the House Media Network newsletter. Read this newsletter in its entirety at www.housemedianetwork.com/newsletter/19
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