Special Collections:
Design and Architecture
The film *End of Suburbia* examines how, since World War II, North Americans invested wealth in suburbia. It promised space, affordability, family life, and upward mobility, becoming synonymous with the American Dream.
Over the past 50 years, suburban sprawl exploded, embedding this lifestyle deeply in the national consciousness. Watch the entire movie on YouTube.
David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and Special Assistant to the President at Oberlin College. He also holds a James Marsh Professorship at the University of Vermont.
Orr is the author of *The Nature of Design* (Oxford, 2002) and *Design on the Edge* (MIT, 2006).
His recent work includes a two-year, $2 million project to define a 100-day climate action plan for the Obama administration. Learn more at www.climateactionproject.com.
Dr. Kevin Danaher, co-founder of Global Exchange and a founder of Green Festivals, outlines a concept for integrating social and economic sustainability into real estate development.
His model features green building principles, well-paid green jobs, and urban agriculture. This convergence aims to bring communities into better balance. The discussion is from his TEDx presentation in San Francisco.
The Oregon Sustainability Center (OSC) is a planned 200,000+ square foot urban, mixed-use high rise. It will feature Net Zero Energy and local material sourcing, among other sustainable elements.
This collaborative vision is the result of a unique public/private partnership. It brings together city and state government, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and the business community.
In this old bikeTV segment, Mark Lakeman from Portland, OR's City Repair Project discusses the organization's origins and mission.
He details how the community actively engages in both the creation and utilization of public spaces, fostering a collaborative approach to urban development.
An EcoDistrict is a neighborhood or district dedicated to significantly improving its environmental performance. This commitment is realized through an integrated strategy.
This strategy involves engagement, self-governance, and benchmarking to guide informed decisions. Key areas include demand management, green building, infrastructure, and community best practices.
Dennis Wilde, a Principal at Gerding Edlen Development, is a nationally respected green building expert. He helped establish the Sustainable Solutions division of GEDI, which he joined in 1997. With over 20 years in urban planning and design, Mr. Wilde oversees project management, from feasibility studies to construction and tenant improvements.
In an interview, Wilde discussed how The Natural Step influenced his sustainability journey, highlighting the importance of existing infrastructure and occupant behavior beyond new buildings. Gerding Edlen leads North America in LEED projects and, since 2008, has targeted net-zero energy, carbon, and waste for all future developments.
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How to Live on Earth | Feature Documentary | Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch
What if the solutions to building a better future already exist? How to Live on Earth is an ambitious documentary that explores how humanity can create a thriving future by collaborating with nature. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch, the film reveals the potential of teaming up with nature to address our greatest challenges.
Heartwarming and energizing, it offers a hopeful vision for a future where both nature and humanity can thrive. How to Live on Earth is produced by Open Planet Studios in association with Villars Institute Foundation and Silvania. Join the conversation by downloading film assets and sharing your reaction at howtoliveonearth.net/social-toolkit. Explore educational resources from the Villars Institute at YouTube.
