Sustainable Settlement Design Principles

SUSTAINABILITY IN SETTLEMENT DESIGN
Assistant Professor V Niveditha
UNIT 2
AR3002
REGULATION 2021
TAMILNADU
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
niveditha.arch19@gmail.com
+919551416510

CONTENT
Principles of sustainable
settlements
Morphology of
historic/vernacular settlements
in different climatic zones
through case studies
Sustainable community - social,
cultural and economic factors
Urban ecology
urban heat island effects, smog
etc
Case studies of eco city or
communities
UNIT 2

PRINCIPLES OF
SUSTAINABLE SETTLEMENTS
ENHANCE LIVEABILITY
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
EMBRACE DESIGN
EXCELLENCE
DEMONSTRATE VISIONARY
LEADERSHIP AND STRONG
GOVERNANCE

PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE
SETTLEMENTS
Providing diverse and affordable dwellings,
buildings and facilities that reflect the broad
socio-economic needs of the community.
Enabling and promoting healthy and safe
communities through partnerships and
effective planning, urban design and landscape
architecture that support physical activity and
social engagement
Stakeholders should be engaged in the
evolution of their communities, from policy
through to adaptive management
Building capacity to adapt to changing
community and individual needs and
expectations
ENHANCE LIVEABILITY

SETTLEMENTS
Providing opportunities for the community to
access a variety of education and learning
systems
Creating diverse employment opportunities that
meet the needs of local and regional
communities, and encouraging production and
procurement of local goods and services
Enabling ongoing sustainable and ethical
investment into local business opportunities
and ensuring business and community
connectivity
Applying lifecycle impact management
approaches to encourage resource efficiency
and reduced lifecycle costs
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

SETTLEMENTS
Protecting, restoring and enhancing natural and
cultural heritage assets, while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, contaminants and
other pollutants to land, water and atmosphere
Promote environmentally efficient systems for
water and wastewater management and reuse;
sustainable energy generation and distribution,
and waste management and recycling
Encouraging greater resource efficiency within
a life cycle context
Reusing and retrofitting existing sites and
buildings
FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SETTLEMENTS
Creating opportunities to retrofit and revitalise
existing communities, precincts, places and
buildings
Providing for development and planning
flexibility and adaptability, while adapting
effectively to changing climatic and other
environmental and physical conditions
Providing quality built form and landscapes that
are responsive to climate and context, while
conserving and celebrating cultural heritage and
archaeological assets across landscapes,
places and sites
EMBRACE DESIGN EXCELLENCE

SETTLEMENTS
Facilitating coordinated approaches among
cross-sectoral stakeholder interests and
establishing a transparent and accountable
decision-making process
Developing practically enforceable standards of
ownership, accountability and delivery
Providing open access information sharing to
enable the enhancement of innovation
DEMONSTRATE VISIONARY
LEADERSHIP AND STRONG
GOVERNANCE

MEASURING
SUSTAINABILITY
WEAK SUSTAINABILITY
SENSIBLE SUSTAINABILITY
STRONG SUSTAINABILITY

WEAK
SUSTAINABILITY
Weak Sustainability preserves total capital, but not necessarily each of the four kinds of capital. I.e.,
the different types of capital are viewed as substitutable for one another.
Weak sustainability is built on the neoclassical economic approach, which perceives the natural
resources as superabundant or substitutable by another kind of capital. Weak sustainability also
considers the economic system as a closed and isolated system that can grow infinitely.
The natural capital can be substitutable by other capital forms, and the environmental degradation
can be compensated with other economic activities. In this sense, the CO2 market, for example, the
degradation resulting from the gas emissions can be compensated by payments and that is sufficient
to mitigate the global warming, promote the green revolution and continue with the global economic
agenda.
The proponents of weak sustainability are called as well as the technical optimistics. They postulate
that future generations will have best technologies, more information and more capital available to
address their environmental problems, so, we do not have to invest too much effort today to avoid
such unknown problems.

SENSIBLE
SUSTAINABILITY
Sensible Sustainability preserves total capital, as well as some minimum level of each type of capital. I.e.,
the different types of capital are only partially substitutable -- a combination of different types of capital is
required to maintain a functioning system.

STRONG
SUSTAINABILITY
Strong Sustainability requires that each type of capital be preserved independently. I.e., the different
types of capital can complement, but not substitute one another.
The other perspective is about strong sustainability. The proponents of this approach are not against
about weak sustainability. They recognise weak sustainability as an essential first step in the right
direction, but only one step is insufficient. It is about intergenerational equity and justice.
Why can the future generations not solve their problems? Because as we all already know, future
conditions depend on the present generation actions. Today, the global economic activities have
reached a scale that is big enough to undermine the welfare of the future generations. Some scientific
studies point the long-term and the irreversible effects of environmental pollution. Some of them say
that we are living in the age of the sixth mass extinction caused by human activities: the Anthropocene.
Strong sustainability postulates that there are some critical natural capital resources and services, that
are non-substitutable through other forms of capital and such resources and services must be
preserved, for example, the ozone layer and the biological diversity

DRY CLIMATIC ZONE - IRAN VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
MORPHOLOGY
UNIT 2

IRAN
WHAT IS MORPHOLOGY OF SETTLEMETS?
MASION WITH A CLOSED
HAYAT IN KASTORIA
The morphology of rural settlements is the study of the ground plan and shape of
villages. These emerge from the arrangement of houses and fields are the result of
the perception of the environment by a community. It is necessary at this stage to
clarify the terms that will be used in referring to village shape. In general, morphology
of settlement considered the forms of settlement, patterns of settlement, internal
structure and functions etc.

VERNACULAR
MORPHOLOGY
1
PHYSICAL FORM
2
SPATIAL
CONFIGURATION
3
SPATIAL ELEMENTS
www.reallygreatsite.com
C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E P R E S E N T A T I O N

CASE STUDY IRAN
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE - DRY
CLIMATIC ZONE

One of the main distinguishable spatial characteristics of the
explored settlements is the combination of three spatial
elements of open space (courtyards), semi-open space
(Ivan), and close space (rooms).
Each of these three types of spatial types used to be vitally
experienced through practices of everyday life and the ways of
living among different inhabitants. While the open and semi-
open spaces are the inseparable spatial combination in the
studied vernacular houses, the fluidity of different living
activities as agriculture, cooking, and breeding used to take
place in-between this combinational spatial structure.
Thus, spatial attributes of built environment give rise to the
dynamic and adaptable capacity of accommodating the
practices of everyday life in these settlements.
Moreover, based on the pattern, courtyard and Ivan are the
spatial setting of social interactions between family members
and other neighborhoods in proximity.

In this way, the flows of life take place in a continuum
movement between open, semi-open, and close spaces.
Close spaces as rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are
generally multi-functional in terms of being highly adaptable
for accommodating family and individual activities and
behaviors.
The vernacular dwellers have called these rooms as “home” in
relation to the size, location, and function. Meanwhile, since
most of the vernacular inhabitants have been originally
affiliated with agriculture and breeding, allocation of individual
private rooms for the whole family was practically impossible
due to the large number of family members.
Thus, the problem has been addressed through interior design
considerations in order to improve the capacity of close space
for accommodating more activities and behavioral patterns.
Locating a considerable number of closets and cabinets for
putting stuff, clothes, and accessories is one of the solutions.
It is noteworthy to mention that the general cooking process in
these houses used to take place in open spaces in the original
types that are closely related to the semi-open space of Ivan.

IVAN
Ivan is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted,
walled on three sides, with one end entirely open.
The formal gateway to the ivan is called pishtaq, a
Persian term for a portal projecting from the facade of a
building, usually decorated with calligraphy bands,
glazed tilework, and geometric designs.
Since the definition allows for some interpretation, the
overall forms and characteristics can vary greatly in terms
of scale, material, or decoration.
Ivans are most commonly associated with Islamic
architecture; however, the form is Iranian in origin and
was invented much earlier and fully developed in
Mesopotamia around the third century CE, during the
Parthian period of Persia.

Spatial configuration of the studies houses is relatively readable from the architectural
layout, functional relations, and spatial planning.
The common formal patterns can be classified into three main categories as the “L” shape,
“I” shape, and “U” shape configurations Based on the studies, one of the main
considerations for different architectural types is the issue of privacy provision and public-
private territories.
Thus, the separation of the public realm, which generally used for accommodating guests,
social visits, and family ceremonies, should be immediately separated from the other private
and semi-private parts of the house at the main entrance in order to prevent any unintended
overlapping of public and private territories.
Moreover the activity of cooking has been gradually transferred to the deepest parts of the
close space in the evolution process of spatial configuration in order to increase the privacy
and control for the one who is often working in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, bathrooms are usually located with a distance from the other close spaces due to
sanitation issues, climatic considerations, and humidity prevention.

However, based on the common beliefs and values of inhabitants, most of the
houses in this region are generally oriented towards the qiblah and east
wherever there is not any limitation in terms of geometry and grain size.
According to the conducted studies, most of the dwellers referred to the
orientation of the main entrance towards qiblah for the beginning or finishing of
a day in a symbolic sacred direction.
Moreover, the other common orientation (towards east) is commonly related to a
tendency to face the direction of sunrise for the commencement of a
productive day.

THE CONCLUSION
However, the study suggest for the further investigation of the adopted model in which the various layers
of culture are linked together in a hierarchy. Thus, the results of the study advocate for the housing
morphology as a representational form of culture in the built environment that is in consistency with the
studies in urban housing and vernacular settlements.
Meanwhile, it has been suggested that the internal layers of culture are transferable to the external layers
through the intermediary layers in two ways that are the theory of housing architecture and ways of living.
While the theory of housing design process adopts the conceptions of redundancy prevention, functional
considerations, symbolism, and order, the ways of living address the articulations of human needs, desires,
and behavioral patterns within the society and among the individuals.

Meanwhile, it should be denoted that although some of these articulations might be highly
context based, but not all of these concepts and principles exclusively belong to a
particular region, such as the Persian vernacular housing because the vernacular
architecture and housing have its own global and local language and articulation
worldwide.
Furthermore, the conceptual model needs to be examined through more case studies in
vernacular settlements and urban housing in order to provide more empirical evidences for
theoretical conception of the relations between cultural factors and housing process in
general and sociocultural attributes and vernacular housing morphology in particular.

CASE STUDY NORTHERN
GREECE VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE - HOT
CLIMATIC ZONE

NORTHERN GREECE
the private room (oda), the open space (hayat) and the closed, common space (sofa).
The private room (oda) is a closed living space with a square plan, which houses all the basic
functions of the family life, such as eating, sleeping, and hosting guests.
The hayat is a semi-open, transitional space, with a rectangular or square shape, which, sometimes
extends between the rooms of the house in the form of an eyvan taking a T-shape. Its bioclimatic
function concerns insolation during the cold, winter period, shading during the summer and natural
ventilation. In this way, the hayat is used throughout the year for circulation, for every-day activities,
such as cooking and drying of agricultural products, and for resting during the hot, summer period.
Finally, the sofa is a closed, common space with rectangular shape used for circulation and/or
social gatherings and events. The three, afore-mentioned elements are combined in the plan and
form three basic building types: the type with a hayat (outer sofa), the one with an inner sofa and the
one with the central or cross-shaped sofa.
The typology of traditional houses in northern Greece is based on three basic elements:
1.
2.
3.
4.

HAYAT
The hayat is the most common and important element in rural
buildings in a wide geographical area which includes Turkey,
Northern Greece and the southern parts of the Balkan countries.
In northern Greece, the type with the hayat is mainly found in rural
settlements, which are situated in the plains, and, sometimes, in
mountainous, cattlebreeding settlements.
These houses have two or three rooms with a linear hayat in front
of them.
This type is also found in some urban centres, where, during the
18th century, large mansions with open rectangular or T-shaped
hayats, were constructed.
Later, these hayats were constructed closed with windows and
upper-course openings and were used as solar spaces.

HAYAT
Florina, Veroia andThessaloniki the prevailing building type was the
one with the inner sofa. These houses are symmetrical with one or two
rooms on both sides of the hall. This is also the most common building
type in mountainous areas.
The third building type, with the central, crossshaped sofa is not as
common as the other two and can be found only in some large
mansions of the most important urban centres.

MORPHOLOGICAL
ELEMENTS
The basic morphological elements of traditional buildings are
the projections (sahnisi) of the summer closed living spaces (odas) and
the projections (divanhane) of the circulation space (sofa).
These elements are found in both rural and urban buildings.

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS
In rural settlements, the choice of building materials depends solely on the geomorphologic characteristics of
the ground. In the mountainous settlements, the main construction material is local stone.
There are two-storied buildings constructed with granite or lime stone depending on local availability. On the
contrary, the main construction material in the plains is adobe (sun dried brick).
In both cases, construction is simple and includes horizontal wooden framework in normal increments.In
urban settlements, the construction of the houses includes all the above building materials.
The structural elements of the ground floor are usually walls made of local stone or adobe bricks.These walls
are 60 to 65 cm thick, and have an average height of 240 to 300 cm. The construction includes horizontal
structural wooden elements.
On the other hand, the structural elements of the upper floor are usually lightweight walls, which are called
tsatmas. These walls are 20 cm thick, and are formed by a wooden frame structure, which is filled up with
adobe bricks, or, in some cases, small stones and mud. The wooden frame structure comprises of horizontal,
vertical and diagonal beams, with dimensions 8 x 8 cm or 10 x 10 cm.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF
TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS
ORIENTATION
The orientation of the buildings mainly depends on the place. In rural,
mountainous settlements, it depends on the slope of the mountain.
In most cases, villages are built in south-facing slopes, unless security issues
prevail. In rural settlements in the plains, the houses are usually situated towards
the south.
In this way, the orientation of the hayats is mainly southern, even though there are
also cases of north-facing hayats.

NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural ventilation in the traditional buildings of northern Greece is achieved by windows, and small openings, which are
placed high, in the main living spaces and in the common spaces. In this way, natural ventilation can be accomplished in
two different ways.
The first includes the simultaneous opening of windows placed on two vertical walls of a living space.
The second one is actually cross ventilation in the living spaces, as well as in the common spaces, and is created by the
simultaneous opening of a window and a ventilation aperture placed on parallel walls.

During the summer, the shading of the upper floor walls is mainly provided by the roof eaves,which extend
from 30 to 60 cm outside the building outline.
The ground floor walls are also shaded by the projections of the upper floor. In these cases, the main
living spaces (odas)of the upper floor project 60 to 65 cm from the ground floor.
During the winter, the roof eaves, and the projection of the upper storey, allow the complete insolation of
the southern windows, thus maximising direct solar gains.
SHADING

AFFECTING FACTORS
SOCIO
ECONOMIC
CULTURAL
SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY
UNIT 2

 Embrace diversity and build community
 Cultivate inclusive, responsive and transparent community
 Empower participatory leadership and governance
 Ensure equal access to holistic education and healthcare
Practice conflict facilitation, communication and peacebuilding skills
Develop fair, effective and accountable institutions
Ecovillagers tend to actively work between people, and to Ecovillages often
provide a sense of belonging through community relationships, common projects,
shared goals, and social processes, but do not demand that everyone is the same
– unity and strength through diversity is important to the ecovillage movement.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Connect to a higher purpose in life 
Nurture mindfulness and personal growth 
Respect cultural traditions that support human dignity 
Engage actively to protect communities and nature 
Celebrate life and diversity through art 
Reconnect to nature and embrace low-impact lifestyles
Ecovillages aim to build or regenerate diverse cultures that support people to empower and
care for each other, their communities and the planet. Many actively engage with practices that
encourage people to feel deeply connected to each other, to the planet, and to themselves.
Celebration, art, dance and other forms of creative expression are often embraced as central to
thriving human life and communities. Most ecovillages find their own ways to talk about,
connect with, respect and support life and the beings and systems that sustain it.
CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY

Reconstruct the concepts of wealth, work and progress 
Work for equitable ownership of land and resources 
Cultivate social entrepreneurship to create sustainable solutions
Empower and strengthen local economies 
Invest in fair trade and ethical systems of exchange 
Generate wellbeing for all through economic justice
Ecovillages aim to build economic practices and systems that contribute to sharing of
resources, mutual support, and strong local economies and networks that serve the needs of
local people and ecosystems. Most ecovillages actively work to provide sustainable
alternatives to the mainstream economy and monetary system, and reclaim ways of thinking
about wealth and progress that include all aspects of life. Local currencies, sharing, social
entrepreneurship, circular economy and collaborative forms of ownership are central to many
ecovillages.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

Urban Ecology is the scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each Other
and their surroundings in context of the proposed urban environment. The urban
environment refers to environments dominated by high density residential And
commercial buildings, paved surfaces, and other intense human influences, which create
a unique landscape dissimilar to many previously studied environments in the field of
ecology.
Humans are the driving force behind the urban ecology and influence the environment in
a variety of ways, such as modifying land surface and waterways .
URBAN ECOLOGY

1. Increased energy consumption
2. Elevated greenhouse gas emissions and
air pollution
3. Poses danger to aquatic systems
4. Discomfort and danger to human health
5. Secondary impacts on weather and
climate
6. Impacts on animals
URBAN HEAT
ISLAND
EFFECT
UNIT 2

Increased temperatures during summer in cities amplify energy demand
for air conditioning.
Implying that the community requires about 5 to 10 percent more
electricity demand to cater for the urban heat effect from the current
supply.
This means the increased demands for cooling or air condition during
summer contributes to higher energy bills.
Also, during exacerbated periods of urban heat islands, the resulting
demand for air conditioning can overload systems which can lead to
power outages and blackouts.
INCREASED ENERGY CONSUMPTION

As explained earlier, urban heat island (UHI) raises electricity demand during
summer. As a result, power plants have to supply the needed extra energy and
since they rely on fossil fuel for energy production, there is an increase in
greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.
The main greenhouse gases and pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon
dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter and
Mercury (Hg).
Increased green house gases cause global warming and climate change while the
pollutants negatively impact human health as well as the decline of air quality.
Sometimes the UHI can also lead to the formation of ground-level ozone and acid
rain.
ELEVATED GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION

High temperatures within the urban areas mean elevated temperatures for
pavements and rooftops. Accordingly, these surface temperatures can heat
stormwater runoff. Trials have demonstrated that pavements with temperatures OF
100 deg F can increase initial rainwater temperately from about 70 deg F to over 90
deg F.
This heated stormwater is the runoff that flows into storm drainage systems and
raises water temperatures as it is discharged into ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and
oceans resulting in thermal pollution.
As a result, the increased water temperature affects the aquatic system, especially
the reproduction and metabolism of aquatic species and can be even fatal to
aquatic life.
POSES DANGER TO AQUATIC SYSTEMS

Higher air pollution, reduced nighttime cooling, and increased temperatures as
Human health is negatively impacted because of increased general discomfort,
exhaustion, heat related mortality, respiratory problems, headaches, heat stroke
and heat cramps.
Because urban heat islands can also worsen the impacts of heat waves, abnormal
weather periods can arise which can seriously affect the health of sensitive and
vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, and those with weather
responsive health conditions.
outcomes of urban heat island can adversely affect human health.
DISCOMFORT AND DANGER TO HUMAN HEALTH

Besides the high temperature increases, urban heat island (UHIs) can bring forth
secondary effects on the local weather and climate. This includes changes of
The unusual heat caused by UHI contributes to a more intense upward wind
Furthermore, urban heat island (UHI) creates a local low pressure area where cool
air from its adjacent areas converges that induces the formation of clouds and
rain. This increases total rainfall rates within cities.
These changes may impact growing seasons within cities, especially by prolonging
the growth of plants and crops.
local wind patterns, formation of fog and clouds, precipitation rates and humidity.
movement that can stimulate thunderstorm and precipitation activity.
SECONDARY IMPACTS ON WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Most species need optimum temperatures to colonize, utilize and thrive in their
Adverse heat can also significantly reduce the availability of food, shelter, and
water. The temperature changes may also make the cities more suitable for
survival compared to the wilderness, which may attract wild animals into the cities.
ecosystems. When there is the existence of high temperatures due to urban heat
island (UHI), harsh and cruel ecological surrounding is created which limits the
essential activities of the organisms such as metabolism, breading and
reproduction.
IMPACTS ON ANIMALS

Use of light-colored concrete and white roofs
Green roofs and vegetation cover
Planting trees in cities
Green parking lots
Implementation and sensitization of heat reduction policies and rules
SOLUTIONS TO URBAN HEAT ISLAND

The use of light-colored concrete and white roofs has been found to be effective in
reflecting up to 50% more light and in cutting down the ambient temperature.
These strategies have been shown to offer great solutions in reducing the urban
health island effect.
Black and dull colors absorb copious amounts of solar heat resulting in warmer
surfaces.
The use of light-colored concrete and white roofs can as well reduce the overall air
conditioning demands.
USE OF LIGHT COLOURED CONCRETE
WHITE ROOF (solar reflective coating)

Green roofs present a great method of lessening the impacts of urban heat island.
Green roofing is the practice of planting vegetations on a roof, just like they are planted
on a garden.
Plants on the roof are excellent insulators during summer and decrease the overall
urban heat island effect. Plants also cool the surrounding environments thereby
reducing air conditioning demands.
Furthermore, air quality is improved as the plants absorb carbon dioxide and
produce fresh air. Other practices that can be used include open space planting,
street trees and curbside planting. All these practices produce cooling effect within the
urban areas and lower the costs of temperature reduction.
GREEN ROOF AND VEGETATION COVER

The practice of tree planting within and around cities is an incredible way
of reflecting solar radiation while at the same time decreasing the urban
heat island effect.
Trees provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen and fresh air,
and provide a cooling effect.
Deciduous trees are the best for urban areas because they provide cooling
effect in summer and they don't block warming during winter.
PLANTING TREES IN CITIES

Green parking spaces utilize green infrastructure strategies to limit the impacts of
urban heat island effect.
In precise, it cushions against the elevation of pavement temperatures which can
considerably prevent thermal pollution resulting from stormwater runoff.
With this in place, the danger posed to aquatic systems is reduced.
Implementation and sensitization of heat reduction policies and rules
The state implementation of environmental policies such as Clean Air Act, Low carbon
fuel standards, uses of renewable energy, and clean car rule standards can
impressively regulated the anthropogenic inducers of urban heat island effect. With
fewer emissions, level of green house gases in the atmosphere can be reduced thus
decreasing the effects of climate change and global warming.
Education and outreach can also be done to ensure communities are aware of the
economic and social benefits of planting trees and eco-roofing.
GREEN PARKING LOTS

ISSUES ARISING FROM URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

The health effects from smog and its components can be severe, and depend
on many variables.
Smog is harmful when inhaled, with the severity of it depending on the amount
inhaled, the types of pollutants contained in it, as well as the individual's age,
weight, activity level, and well-being.
Types of effects smog has include
Eye, nose and throat irritation
Decreased lung function
Aggravation of respiratory or heart disease
In some cases, death
HEALTH EFFECTS OF SMOG

The health effects from smog and its components can be severe, and depend
on many variables.
Smog is harmful when inhaled, with the severity of it depending on the amount
inhaled, the types of pollutants contained in it, as well as the individual's age,
weight, activity level, and well-being.
HEALTH EFFECTS OF SMOG

An Ecocity also konwn as eco community is a human settlement modeled
on the self sustaining resilient structure and function of natural
ecosystems.
The ecocity provides healthy abundance to its inhabitants without
consuming more (renewable) resources than it produces, without
producing more waste than it can assimilate, and without being toxic to
itself or neighboring ecosystems.
Its inhabitants ecological impact reflect planetary supportive lifestyles its
social order reflects fundamental principles of fairness, justice and
reasonable equity
ECO CITY

ECO CITY OR ECO COMMUNITY CASESTUDY 1

When village homes was built in 1970s, the local realtors refused to show
anyone round the 70 acre, 240 homes developments as they didnt think anyone would
want to live there. There were no front roads, no strom drains and the houses all faced the
same way for solar gain. Today, its one of the most sought after subdivisions in Davis and
Coldwell Banker Residential identified Village Homes as Davis's most desirable
subdivison. The crime rate is 10th that of Davis as whole and in 1995 the homes sold for
13% more than the equivalent-sizes homes in a traditional post WWII subdivison located
accross road.
Project name: VILLAGE HOMES, DAVIS, CALIFORNIA

1972, Davis, California. Developed by Michael and Judy Corbett, Garden village concept.
60 Acres, 242 units (apts houses), 650 people. 16% low income, labor can be down
payment.
Community base.
Agricultural land throughout with organic orchards, vineyards and gardens.
Greenbelts connect all. Can go to center without crossing streets.
Green buildings, south orientation.
Passive and active solar.
Natural drainage system.
Cul-de-sacs with narrow streets.
Common spaces for neighbor interaction.
Parks and swimming pool
Project name: VILLAGE HOMES

ECOLOGICAL PROTECTION: 12 acres of greenbelt open space; 12 acres of
common agricultural land.
DENSITY URBAN DESIGN: A whole-systems approach to design. The houses are
clustered into groups of 8 and are surrounded by common space. The early
residents were responsible for the landscaping and design of the green space in
front of their housing clusters. 25% of the acreage is open space (agricultural and
recreational).

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:
The local Homeowners Association owns and manages the household commons,
greenbelt commons, agricultural lands and the community center, and handles
the revenues from office space and some rental units. There are frequent
community events, and 80% of the residents participate in community activities.
Community barbecue pits encourage spontaneous evening gatherings. The
turnover rate is very low, with most residents preferring to remodel and add on,
rather than move to a larger home.

TRANSPORTATION:
Vehicle access is by the back lanes only, with pedestrian lanes for walking and cycling.
The front streets are designed by the residents as grassy areas, gardens with shrubs,
etc.Pedestrian paths and traffic calming designs with narrow streets encourage a strong
sense of community and high property values.The compact design encourages residents
to walk rather than drive for their daily needs. The grocery store is 10' walk away, and the
largest employer - the university is nearby.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
'A Sweat Equity' programme allowed several low-income construction workers to buy
homes, and some apartment units are part of the development project as well.

SEWAGE STORMWATER: The narrower streets produce less storm water run-off, which
is handled by simple infiltration swales and on-site detention basins instead of storm
drains, saving nearly$200,000 (1980 dollars). These savings were invested into public
parks, walkways, gardens and other amenities.
ENERGY:
All the houses are passive solar designed, with natural cooling and solar hot water. The
overall design, with reduced pavement and more space for trees, lowers ambient air
temperature and reduces the need for air-conditioning. Annual household bills are 1/2 to
1/3rd less than those of surrounding neighborhoods, because of the locally grown food
and the energy savings.

When Village Homes went through the planning process in the 1970s, the
plans were opposed by the planning staff, the public works department and
the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). The police had concerns about patrolling
the narrower streets, and the fire officials worried about maneuvering their fire
trucks. The FHA questioned the inclusion of agricultural uses, fearing that it
would reduce property values.
In normal circumstances, the opposition from multiple organizations would
have killed the project, and Village Homes would never have been built.

ECO CITY OR ECO COMMUNITY CASESTUDY 2

Project name: Southeast False Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia
In the mid 1990s, in response to regional concerns of air quality and goals of
densification and family housing in the downtown, Vancouver City Council
gave instructions to its Planning Department and Real Estate Services to
begin planning a model sustainable urban neighborhood with a focus on
housing for families for an 80 acre site in the downtown, along False Creek.
The City owns over 45 acres of the site.
Project History
SOUTHEAST FALSE CREEK, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Project name: Southeast False Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia
In the mid 1990s, in response to regional concerns of air quality and goals of
densification and family housing in the downtown, Vancouver City Council gave
instructions to its Planning Department and Real Estate Services to begin planning a
model sustainable urban neighborhood with a focus on housing for families for an
80 acre site in the downtown, along False Creek. The City owns over 45 acres of the
site.
The planning began with economic feasibility studies in 1996. Development planning
began in 1997, using a three step process: Developing a Policy Statement, creating
an Official Development Plan, and rezoning the development parcels.
Project History

The SEFC Policy Statement was adopted by City Council in October 1999, following
over two years of planning work, including the widest public involvement process
ever undertaken for the Policy Statement stage of any single development in the
city.The zoning and associated guidelines will ensure it is built as planned. Following
consultant studies and much public consultation, the city settled on an approach to
sustainability which noted that to be classified as sustainable, at the neighborhood
scale, SEFC needed to make a significant contribution to the larger goals of global
sustainability, as summarized.

1. Promote healthy social community;
2. Promote a stable, diverse site context economy, which assists all in
meeting their needs
3. Reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy and resources
4. Reduce the production of waste and pollution
5. Enhance the health of the environment, both locally and globally
6.The Policy Statement outlines a vision and detailed policies to achieve one of the first
complete, high-density, sustainable
7.Urban neighborhoods ever planned

ECOLOGICAL PROTECTION:
High density will help preserve farmland and natural areas in the region. Waterfront and
parks areas will have designed habitat areas. Surface water management will increase
biodiversity and livability. Contaminated soils will be entombed and/or treated over time to
help clean groundwater. Native plants and non-native plants used in landscape which
support native species of insects, birds and other wildlife.
DENSITY URBAN DESIGN:
High density design, celebrating magnificent views,
providing for extensive open space areas. Street wall podiums with a high degree of
pedestrian permeability will make it urban but livable. Some small development parcels
will allow smaller development groups to try innovative housing forms, such as cohousing.
Live/work promoted.Solar access preserved throughout.

URBAN INFILL:
Reuse and rehabilitation of derelict and contaminated industrial
land in the downtown, to provide a diversity of high density housing close to the
downtown job base. Existing clean industry will be encouraged to stay.
TOWN/VILLAGE CENTRE:
Commercial areas will be provided, allowing retail,
commercial, office and clean industry (high tech) throughout the neighborhood,
providing some centers as well as linear links to the surrounding neighborhoods. All such
uses will be linked closely with transit.

LOCAL ECONOMY:
A wide range of commercial and employment opportunities
will be offered, including low, medium and high income jobs, to reflect the housing mix.
Mixed use zoning will be employed throughout. Jobs/housing mix analysis includes
employment base offered in downtown as part of larger strategy.Environmentally and
socially responsible business practices promoted. Full cost accounting methodology to be
created to understand long term economic analysis of development.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Housing will be provided for between 4,500 - 7,500 people. 20% of total housing capacity
reserved for (publicly funded) social housing. Some small development parcels to allow
smaller developers / co-ops to build. 35% of the market housing to meet guidelines for
housing families at high -density.

TRANSPORTATION:
Fine-grained network of pedestrian and bicycle paths throughout, connecting to nearby
neighborhoods and shopping/employment areas, particularly the downtown. Public transit
includes bus, streetcar and elevated rapid transit all provided on or immediately adjacent
the site. All residences within a 400m distance of a transit stop, most much closer. Narrow
streets, with extensive traffic calming measures. A reduced parking requirement. Extensive
live/work development promoted.
WATER:
Low flow fixtures required throughout. Rainwater harvesting from building roofs used for
irrigation. No/low irrigation landscape design. Surface water management landscape plan.
Education for residents. Possibly water metering at the unit. Goal is up to 50% reduction in
per capita water use.

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:
Full community facilities planned, including community centre, public art, outdoor
recreation and performance areas, a neighborhood office, a demonstration garden,
waterfront boating facilities, and probably a school.Heritage conservation of many
buildings on site, and heritage qualities to be enhanced through public art and landscape
design throughout. A major park (over 26 acres) will be provided to offer a full range of
recreational opportunities. The park will also offer areas of urban forest, native species
habitat, surface water management systems, and a significant component of community
gardens.
SEWAGE STORMWATER:
Surface water management system to be employed, including cleaning road runoff.
Alternative sewage management systems promoted, including composting toilets.

ENERGY:
80% of energy to be from renewable sources (including hydroelectric).
Alternative, renewable and district energy systems promoted, including ground
source and solar. Green building strategy to be created and implemented. Lowenergy
maintenance landscape design. Goal of 40% per capita reduction in
green house gas emissions. Air quality strategy created and implemented for
neighborhood.
THE 3 'R'S: Full recycling systems in every residential and commercial unit. Industrial
ecology waste recycling system promoted. Goal of 80% of demolition waste diverted from
landfills to recycling depots. Landscape waste composted on or near site. Residential
composting systems and education. Green building strategy, including recycled materials.

CONCLUSION
Sustainable community development requires new ways of thinking about the
interrelationship between economy, environment and community and new ways
of examining the full costs and benefits of alternatives to conventional approaches to
development.
There are many barriers to the implementation of sustainable communities that
cut across the twelve major features described above.
The benefits of implementing sustainable communities can be significant in both the short
and long term - for developers, residents and society in general.This framework should
help those who are working to implement sustainable community development projects by
bringing a more holistic approach to these developments.

THANK YOU.
III YEARS V SEMESTER
Assistant Professor Ar V Niveditha
niveditha.arch19@gmail.com
+919551416510

Sustainable Settlement Design Principles

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