Popular Science just published an interesting roundup of green communities in an article now titled, “Nine of the World’s Most Promising Carbon-Neutral Communities.” You’ll recognize several of these communities as we’ve mentioned them previously. What’s important is the notion that reducing an environmental impact can be ultra effective when done on a large scale. Here’s the list: Best U.S. Project: Greensburg Holiest: Vatican City Fastest Transformation: Samsø Island Most Urgent: Maldives Most Expensive: Masdar Most Ambitious: Costa Rica Smallest: BedZED…

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Green One Construction Services just completed phase one in Sage Green, an ultra energy efficient community in Beaverton, Oregon. The entire project will have a total of 18 homes, and the first five are now on the market with pricing between $257,900 and $259,000. I guess you can say it’s a small price to pay for the desirable, but still rare, benefit of zero net energy living. Sage Green homes minimize demand for energy in part through the use of…

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Living Homes today announced the launch of its expansion into Canada with an eco-enclave of four modern homes in North Toronto. Steve Glenn, founder of Living Homes, was kind enough to share with us some detail of the upscale project, which will be fabricated by Conquest and developed by a new company called Nexterra Green Homes. As you might imagine, these homes will be contemporary and exclusive. Pricing will likely start somewhere near $1.6 million (Canadian) for these Energy Star…

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Recently, Newsweek asked three well-known architecture firms to explain what cities will look like in 2030. Using New York City as the location, these firms — HOK; Cooper, Robertson & Partners; and Richard Meier & Partners — responded to the hypothetical with The Future of Work and other musings as to how we will work, live, interact, and move around in 20 years. Richard Meier & Partners expects abundant green space, enhanced public transportation, and expanded waterfront parks. Cooper, Robertson…

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Late last week, you may have heard, the USGBC, NRDC, and CNU officially launched LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). The pilot program opened in July 2007 with about 240 participating projects. Now, with the launch, project teams around the world can register online and get going. There’s no real limit to the size of a LEED-ND project, but green developments need to have at least one certified green building. The USGBC advises that the rating system works best when a…

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Natural Home just published a top 10 list of its favorite eco-friendly, energy-efficient communities in the nation. If there’s anything to note, it may be that the Pacific Northwest is ahead of the game when it comes to green planning and thoughtful communities. Here’s a quick look at each of the 10 communities; make sure to check out the original article – America’s Top 10 Best Green-Built Neighborhoods – for more information. 1. Mueller (Austin, Texas): a 700-acre, LEED-NC Silver,…

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After nearly three years of planning, Taltree ecoVillage by YS Development is gaining a little steam. Located in Redmond, Washington — not more than a bike ride from the company Bill Gates co-founded — Taltree includes a collection of nine modern, green homes built to the highest green building and energy efficiency standards. Taltree is part of Redmond’s Innovative Housing Demonstration Program, which aims in part to increase high-quality housing supply in the community while still remaining consistent with existing…

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With the success of Dockside Green on the other side of the country, according to Canwest News Service, Quebec now plans to increase its investment in sustainable development with a…

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