DWELL-Being, Vancouver – Building Community Resilience

An online discussion.

ADUs (Auxiliary Dwelling Units) – a climate-friendly solution to the need for housing.

TOPICS:

  • Supporting Homeowners Building ADUs
  • Finances, Taxes and ROI
  • Design, permits
  • Contractors, Cohorts and Economy of Scale
  • Neighborhoods and Villages
  • Garden of Eating – Edible Landscapes
  • Energy Use- Weatherize, Solarize
  • Kingdom for A Car – Adopting fossil-free transportation
  • Families and Aging-in-Place
  • Rental management

Coming Soon! A Panel Discussion at the Fort Vancouver Library!

Both Sides of the Street – April 5, 2003

Both Sides of the Street – April 5, 2003

We had a peace march in Fort Bragg, California when George W. Bush invaded Iraq. It drew hundreds of coastal citizens who gathered near the Exxon station. We marched down Main Street with banners, flags, drums and a police escort past a contingent of citizens in front...

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“climbing up the mast for a last glimpse of home…”

“climbing up the mast for a last glimpse of home…”

Like Angels Wings (Carry Me) Climbing up the mast Standing in the crows nest Peering through the glass For a last glimpse of home Sail across the sea Abandon the known world Go and be free In a land far away The sail spreads like angel wings Fly over the...

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January 3, 2018 – Letter to the Editor of the Columbian was inspired by an article on self-driving cars.

Build Community Resilience

With electric vehicles, soon-to-be self-driving, able to take us from our door to our destination, we’ll need fewer garages. Instead of housing cars, garages can be converted into housing for people. This energy-efficient, affordable approach to creating new housing uses existing infrastructure and avoids the carbon cost of heavy equipment and new roads. It moderately increases density while retaining the essential charm of our neighborhoods. Density can support more local economic activity and transportation efficiencies.

Imagine trading in the expense of car ownership for rental income and reduced housing costs. While remodeling the garage, other improvements can be made including weatherization, solar installation, replacing lawns with edible landscaping, planting or pruning trees to improve solar gain during winter and summer shade.

This will create community resilience with more housing, locally produced food, meaningful work, and healthier, more connected lives – all while reducing our reliance on fossil fuel. Climate activists, homeowners, housing groups, neighborhood organizations, city planners, building contractors, lenders, transportation experts, taxi drivers, solar installers, gardeners, arborists and other volunteers will all be needed to make this happen.

Climate change and new transportation options are upon us. Let’s work together creating the future we want for our community and planet.