Great Green Idea: Green Living: Learn About Green Communities

Learn About Green Communities

Today as never before, the state of the environment is on the minds of everyone. The consequences of damage to the planet has become a plague in all types of communities; urban, suburban and rural. As such, community planners must address both economic and some serious environmental issues when creating residential areas. Fortunately, more opportunities to develop sustainable, green communities are now possible due to the recent attention that has been placed on the environment. Legislation and policy is also being rewritten so sustainability is easier to achieve.

Community developers have united with institutions, individuals and researchers to devise ways to design and construct new communities that are greener and healthier. Communities are being constructed in ways that conserves land and resources. Green communities offer its citizens several eco friendly transportation options. The area makes good use of the natural resources already available. These communities offer amenities, products and services to assist residents in living green lifestyles. But there are also many green communities that are created from older, well established residential and commercial areas.

For example, an organized green community project in Ireland supports community groups who are interested in greening their neighborhoods. The groups are awarded grants in order to get tools, equipment and training needed. The training provided increases the chances of their success. Training topics include conservation, planting and other environmentally friendly areas. Once the groups are organized they begin to make changes to their areas by initiating community gardens, cleaning and landscaping and building animal shelters such as birdhouses and owl boxes. The groups follow up with regular cleaning and even participate in the development of wildlife areas. These efforts have resulted in over a dozen green communities in Ireland and Wales that network together to share ideas and spread the word.

Another effective way that an established area can become a green community is by cleaning up its brownfields. A brownfield is a site that has been formerly utilized for industrial use which has the potential of being used for housing. Most brownfields are contaminated with chemicals or other materials and extremely filthy. There are around 450,000 brownfield areas in the United States that can be revitalized but are left vacant. Due to the contamination in most of these fields, the cleanup must be regulated by several laws and policies related to safety. Thousands of community development associations and non profit organizations have committed to educate and support the residents who live in the surrounding areas to get the information and funding needed to get these areas cleaned. This collaboration has lead to new jobs, increased property values and clean, green livable neighborhoods.

Whether building a new residential area, or breathing life into an old one, green communities are definitely a step in the right direction. Every region has organizations that will gladly provide the information that is needed to navigate through the process. Since each area can be different, issues like policy, funding, resources, and training must be researched to ensure a successful conclusion to the quest for a green community.