The EcoDistrict

Image by @advmacosta from Unsplash

Scaling down further from my last post on the ecocity, this article dives into the ecodistrict. The ecodistrict, a concept that started in Europe, is based on the idea of achieving greater sustainability impacts through a district scale approach. These districts focus on the relation of energy, transportation, water, and land use and the most efficient use within the district. Communities in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, and Sweden have created these small scale sustainable communities. One project in Fredensgade in Kolding included 140 flats within 4-5 story buildings that had a centralized greenhouse, building envelope upgrades, rainwater harvesting, and solar arrays.

The EcoDistrict

The Ecodistrict Initiative, a project began by the Portland Sustainability Institute (POSI), works to achieve neighborhood level sustainability and remove barriers such as lack of assessment tools, scalable project capital, and public support. Each district focuses on energy and water management systems, green infrastructure, and resource conservation.

This type of community reminds me of an episode on The Walking Dead (before it went south in my opinion and I stopped watching) where the cast stumbles upon a walled community that was designed as one such ecodistrict. The neighborhood thrived despite the doomsday scenario the show took place in because it was designed to use alternative energy systems such as solar, rainwater harvesting, and other systems that did not rely on a larger energy grid. If you are wondering if this type of neighborhood exists, there are many examples of from Austin, TX to Rochester, NY.

EcoDistrict Examples

In Austin, the Seaholm Ecodistrict is a 22 block brownfield redevelopment. The district has 3.57 MW building-generated solar power, 35.1 million kWh solar thermal potential, 8.98 million gallons per year of potential rainwater capture, and 36.6 million gallons annual stormwater capture and reuse. In addition to these green infrastructure improvements, the district will provide housing for over 2,500 residents and 44 acres of open space. The new library is seeking LEED Platinum certification.

Area within the Seaholm EcoDistrict (source: ecodistricts.org)

On the other end of the spectrum is an ecodistrict integrated into an existing neighborhood. In Rochester, NY the High Falls Ecodistrict grounded their goals in equity, resilience, and climate protection. The 322 acre neighborhood has just over 1,600 residents. The initial spark for the district was a grant through Greentopia which conducted a two-year study to identify projects to advance the Ecodistrict framework. The fact that this area is an existing neighborhood makes public engagement so important. Education on reaching the goals of the project and how residents can contribute was a priority.

Certification

As with pretty much all sustainable programs, it is possible to certify your neighborhood or project as an ecodistrict through the ecodistrict certified program. According to the nonprofit’s website, EcoDistrict Certified “is the standard for community development that makes equity and sustainability fundamental to neighborhoods for all.” The designation took seven years to research and provides a step by step framework for achieving public policy, sustainability, and investment goals.

The first step is to make sure everyone is on board and set the course for the district by establishing the “imperatives commitment” to follow the program priorities of equity, resilience, and climate protection. Step 2 sets up the leadership, partnerships, and decision making models for the district. Step 3 lays out exactly how the projects within the district will get done and establishes performance measures. Finally, Step 4 is to measure the impact and gauge the district’s progress towards hitting the metrics laid out in the roadmap. According to their website, this process is not cheap. The bundled certification pricing is $9,500. Paying for each individual step increases the costs significantly. The tradeoff is the resources and support provided by the organization.

Graphic from ecodistricts.org on the certification process for an EcoDistrict

When taken together, multiple neighborhood level ecodistricts can have a large impact on a community as a whole. Each district can focus on the most efficient way to use resources, moving beyond a building by building approach. Energy can be shared, transportation options expanded, and issues like flooding addressed. At a smaller scale than an entire city or even country, it may be easier to get support for changes that will make the neighborhood more sustainable. All it takes is multiple building and business owners, city leaders, and citizens working together to make it happen. An ecodistrict does not need to go through a lengthy certification process to achieve the same goals. Establishing the vision and committing to that vision is the most important part. As ecodistricts continue to pop up across the world we will likely start to see some meaningful change to our environment globally.