“There is growing concern for the issue of sustainability — whether the Earth’s resources will be able to meet the demands of a growing human population that has rising aspirations for consumption and quality of life, while maintaining the rich diversity of the natural environment or biosphere.” – American Planning Association (APA) Communities across the [...]
Michael Sorkin is opinionated to the point, and passionate about protecting architecture from the politics that too often smother innovation. A well-known architectural critic, author of several hundred articles, professor, and principal of the Michael Sorkin Studio, Sorkin lives, eats — “architectural flesh has always proved tasty to me”, and breathes architecture and urban [...]
Water trails are defined by the North American Water Trails, as “a stretch of river, a shoreline, or an ocean that has been mapped out with the intent to create an educational, scenic, and challenging experience for recreational canoers and kayakers.” Here in Lake Tahoe, we have seventy-two miles of scenic shoreline that provides an [...]
“No matter where you are, what your constraints are, you can make it happen.” – Susie Sutphin, Farm Manager at the Truckee Community Farm The Tahoe Food Hub has a vision: to create a “hub for all sustainable food initiatives that promote social, economic and environmental responsibility in our food system.” With help from its community [...]
How can we encourage businesses to make the commitment towards sustainable building practices? Well, to start, at the very least, by showing them the savings that they could make if they invested in green design and technology for their business. Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe has this right idea in mind. The second largest [...]
Since 2005, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has been actively working to develop a Regional Plan Update that supports the continued restoration of Lake Tahoe’s clarity and fosters land-use policies that promote sustainable growth. Facing pressure from the passage of Nevada Senate Bill 271, TRPA passed an update to it’s 1987 Regional Plan by [...]
If you have ever been to Lake Tahoe, California, I’m sure you can agree with me that it is one of the most breathtaking spots in the U.S. Situated between Nevada and California, with seventy-two miles of shoreline and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range as its backdrop, this alpine lake is known for both its [...]
The Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail is a twenty-two mile trail that travels through the heart of Hershey, PA, providing access to parks, neighborhoods, and commercial establishments. The trail was named after a local resident who lost his life in a bicycling accident in 1997. Along the pathway residents of Hershey memorialize their loved ones through [...]
Across the country hospitals are going green with the goal of creating healthier environments for patients and communities. The Penn State Hershey Medical Center is joining in on these green endeavors by committing to working towards LEED certification on all new building projects. The recent construction on the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital exemplifies this [...]
The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program began in 1984 as part of a campaign to eradicate graffiti citywide. Since then, over 3,000 murals have been created; each has become a distinctive part of the city’s landscape. In Philadelphia, mural making provides a unique opportunity for community engagement. It fosters relationships among community members, schools, grassroots organizations, [...]
In 2012 Pennsylvania passed Act 13, an act which mandated that local governments must allow drilling in all zoning districts and cannot ban or restrict gas development. Act 13 limits local government control and allows only individuals who own land and mineral rights in counties to participate in drilling decisions that will affect their communities. [...]
The BLDGBLOG Book offers readers an exciting and unpredictable exploration of architecture in the broadest of contexts. Uninhibited by constraints, author Geoff Manaugh follows his line of interests wherever they may lead him, unlocking the possibilities of the future of architecture through his collection of narratives, interviews, images, and more. Ultimately, he challenges readers to join him in [...]
In October 2011 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania petitioned for bankruptcy after reaching debts of over $300 million, quadruple its annual budget. The petition was denied by a federal judge, and claimed illegal, as the state or mayor did not sign off on the filing. Today, the city’s debt stands at over $340 million. A state ban that prevented Harrisburg [...]
In June 2010 The Hershey Company announced project “Next Century,” a modernization program that would result in an investment of $200-225 million plant expansion of the existing West Hershey facility and approximately $50-75 million in upgrades to distribution and administrative facilities located in Hershey, PA. Part of the project involved ceasing production at the original [...]
A recent census reports that a new Amish community is founded every 3 1/2 weeks in the United States. Known for their idyllic and sustainable lifestyle that rejects modern technology, the Amish are found in 30 states across the United States, and in the province of Ontario, Canada. Researchers at Ohio State University predict that [...]
A big Global Site Plans welcome to our newest blogger, Alex Riemondy from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alex Riemondy is a recent graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Environmental Studies, and a Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning. Her interests in urban planning first stemmed from a cross-country bicycle trip in [...]
