Here’s how we’ve come a full green circle:

1950’s & 60’s: race to the ‘burbs decimated city taxes which meant cities couldn’t fight corruption and crime but cities still grew. The combination of a debt-economy, two-car homes and commuters created smog and noise pollution.

1980’s: rise of the bedroom communities led to mini-malls, gridlock and greenhouse gases.

1990’s: a quiet revolution began to transform urban development into something sustainable based on the notion that the denser a population the more efficient the use of materials. Makes sense!

This notion brings us to today and the popularity of multipurpose planning (aka new urbanism) in the cities. Architects and developers are building sustainable communities that include home, office and play just steps away.

We have an example of this in our very own metroplex – Victory Plaza - where innovations in technology will reduce energy consumption and improve air-quality
Daylight responsive lighting controls have been incorporated to reduce electrical consumption.

At the W Dallas, wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and natural gas energy are expected to power the building. Isn’t that amazing?! And when all the numbers are crunched, let it be known that people who live in cities use ½ as much energy as ‘burbites.

Talk about “greening” the city!