Ecodistricts scintillate a wide range of conversation in architectural communities across the globe; however, there are few examples demonstrating what that actually means. Portland is a great place to investigate when observing sustainable building strategies, as it headquarters many successful architectural firms. More importantly, there are currently five pilot ecodistricts in the Portland area, where initiatives are being made to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and urban sprawl. Personally, I think that the world has already realized the outcome of current building/development standards. Among the most notable are the loss of native habitat and species, pollution/smog, climate change, and dwindling natural resources. Architects are called to duty to design higher standards of living for the betterment of the environment and mankind.
I have studied EcoDistricts through the Portland Sustainability Institute and know that they an be implemented. The only evidence I need is the growing success of the existing pilot districts in Portland. I believe that momentum has caught on and the proverbial ball is rolling, the public has created the demand for sustainable living. Sustainable developments do not force people to sacrifice the personal aspects of owning a home or having a garden/outdoor retreat, it simply means that energy bills at the end of the month will be less and daily trips to the market will require walking down stairs instead of filling the car up with gas and driving 5-10 miles. With current economic conditions, the EcoDistrict provides answers. Answers to the limited availability of natural resources, land, and lower budgets.
Other than designing more efficient buildings/living systems and reducing the use of non-renewable resources, I am interested in restoring the native environment. There must be a way to develop wisely in collaboration with the re-introduction of native endangered species. Can you imagine a city where the regional habitat is intertwined with the infrastructure of the city? My vision is of a city whose character is defined by not only the architecture and culture within it, but the regional aesthetic of the landscape that surrounds and penetrates it. Our generation has already been described as dedicated to remediation of the damages done by the industrial revolution and baby boomer generations. So how can an urban context sustain its endangered and diminishing natural environment, while continuing advancements in architectural tectonics, building systems, and aesthetics? This is an area that I plan to investigate further during my thesis work.
I believe that current techniques of rainwater filtration such as bioswales can be easily adapted to use native species. To research this idea further, I explored some of the endangered plant species of the Multnomah county. The Golden Paintbrush, castilleja levisecta, is an endangered perennial herb of the Multnomah County, long since seen in local grasslands and upland prairie habitats. It flourishes in habitats normally including tall grasses, shrubs, and trees; making it a great accent for native bioswales. It is equally important to not only create functional garden spaces that minimize pollution of our waterways, but to design beautiful spaces that attract human interaction. The benefits of restoring the golden paintbrush and other plant species allows for filtration as well as unknown possibilities of returning insects, birds, etc. Overall, natural systems have existed for billions of years and are more successful than man-made systems, so it is only logical to replace as much of our artificial systems in favor of a healthier ecosystem.
References:
Portland Sustainability Institute
http://www.pdxinstitute.org/
Image of EcoDistrict found at:
http://www.ecodistrictssummit.com/ ( image produced by ZGF architects in collaboration with PDX Institute)
Image of Hammarby Model and more information at:
http://www.nordicenergysolutions.org/inspirational/eco-cycle-in-hammarby
Data concerning Golden Paintbrush habitat and characteristics
http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/GoldenPaintbrush/
Image of Golden Paintbrush
http://appliedeco.org/conservation-research/paintbrush
Filed under: Current Works in Progress, Thesis Preparatory Research 
