Low Impact and Sustainable Development
Low Impact and Sustainable Development
This site-planning approach is a responsible way for developers to build in the Texas Hill Country. The concept is simple: consider the environmental qualities of the land first, set aside a large portion of acreage for conservation and cluster housing in a given area. The reserved open space provides an amenity for homeowners, lowers the developer’s infrastructure costs and preserves the land’s regional character, natural beauty and wildlife habitats for future generations. Often conservation subdivision developments also utilize building designs that promote the efficient use of water and energy.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin serves as an excellent resource on conservation development, and there are land planners in the Hill Country who specialize in this more sustainable approach to development design. Please contact HCA if you are interested in a referral.
One Water – Holistic Water Management
While One Water is a relatively new term, it refers to an efficient and conservative approach to water management older than Texas. It’s about making every drop count, being smart about how we design and build in a water-limited region, and ensuring that water is here for people and the environment—today and for generations to come.
This guidebook, a joint project of Hill Country Alliance and National Wildlife Federation, is intended to connect Hill Country communities facing growth and increased demands for water with water professionals experienced with One Water strategies, planning, implementation, design and construction. We interviewed engineers, architects, planners and landscape designers to gain insight into the realities of One Water projects, and within these pages feature the 14 selected professionals along with an example project each completed in Texas.
Conservation Subdivisions with Randall Arendt – Sponsored by Hays County
LID and Sustainable Development Featured Projects
Austin’s New Stormwater Paradigm: Low Impact Development – Background on green infrastructure and interview with Sustainable Stormwater Solutions Manager for the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department. Read more from Water Cache.
Stormwater Case Study, New Topfer Theater at Zach Scott, Austin – Describes the effectiveness of rain garden and native landscaping installation at Zach Theatre in Austin. Details from American Society of Landscape Architects.
Home Energy Research Trial, Greater Texas – “Launching in Fall 2012, Pecan Street is seeking homeowners throughout Texas – among the Smart Meter Texas and Green Mountain Energy service territories – to take part in a research trial supported by the Smart Meter Texas home energy access initiative”. Read more from Pecan Street.
Starbucks at Circle C Ranch – “The Circle C Ranch, in southwest Austin, TX, is a planned community of approximately 12,000 people-and one of the most environmentally sensitive communities in the United States,” according to Laurie Swan, Vice President of Stratus Properties, developers of the community. Read more from GreenRoofs.
Recent Low Impact & Sustainable Development News
Texas Hill Country property to be pristine sanctuary with limited access
Conservation has won after a pristine 32-acre parcel in the Texas Hill Country was donated to the Cibolo Center for Conservation. Instead of turning into a possible housing development, the property will become a sanctuary that will have limited access to the public...
“Cultivating a Community of Stewardship” theme of recent HCA Leadership Summit
Written by Michael Hawkins, The Comfort News - republished with permission. The Summit has become a must-attend event for Deborah and I because of its unwavering focus on what people and organizations are getting right in the work they’re doing to preserve the Texas...
What’s the value of planting trees? Conservation groups say a new formula can tell them.
“We're gonna pull the heartstrings, because it does make you feel good, we're doing good things,” Carswell said. “But we also want to show the true value of the work that we're doing and show that we'll be smart about investing in our future.” The report found that...
Saved from sprawl: Deal on ranch in Comal County part of efforts to protect water for S.A.
Under a new conservation easement, held by the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy, Moore and Dischinger have guaranteed that the land will remain as it is in perpetuity, preventing it from being turned into more suburban sprawl. The agreement also protects vital acres on the...