Space Heating.
Electrical Generation.
Water Heating. Rooftop solar panels could provide a supplement for heating domestic hot water. Data from another installation in Moscow indicates it might be economical to provide 85% of the heating needs (a supplemental heater tops things off as needed).
Alternative Transportation. SODO is well situated for walking, and Moscow's Intermodal Transit facility is likely to be located within walking distance. What other alternative transportation might be supported?
- Car sharing
- Plug-ins for electric vehicles
- Covered secure bike parking (including trikes and/or trailers)
Water Retention. When it rains, or the snow melts, the water on a site needs to go somewhere. If it comes off roofs or other impermeable surfaces and goes straight into the storm system it can contribute to flooding downstream. Moscow is moving toward requiring development projects to provide a means of retaining storm water on site and letting it go slowly. That is most commonly done with a storm water retention area (its not really a pond because it goes away pretty quickly when the water stops coming.) The challenge in SODO is the development is likely to cover most of the site and open space is needed for paths, patios, and landscaping. Where can the water go?
Jesica & Elisabeth each suggested permeable pavers in the parking areas. This is certainly worth exploring, because it could reduce the amount of storm water that needs to be managed. (I wonder how well they can be snow plowed, perhaps PCEI has some experience.)Green Roofs and Rooftop Living. A green roof can reduce or slow storm water runoff by retaining some moisture in the soil. Flat roofs also support rooftop living space, which could include container gardening as another form of green roofing.
Food Growing & Gardening. Some food production might be accomplished with permaculture in the public spaces, for example grape arbor or espaliered fruit trees. What kinds of gardening can be supported? And how? This blog post begins to explore the issue
Ensuring management of these landscape features requires planning. Might the condo association employ consumer-supported agriculture as a strategy to both implement the landscape management, direct its goals and bring some value back to the members? Perhaps residential waste composting would be part of this management. Perhaps a greenhouse would provide shared open space to be enjoyed on grey rainy days.
Alternative Cooking. Different approaches to cooking might save energy (for example this built-in solar oven) or might be a social element in an intentional community (shared kitchen and eating area).
