Principles of co-housing
More About Environmental Sustainability
*Social interaction encourages pro-environmental behaviour. Research has indicated that influence, exchange, cooperation and support all contribute to increased levels of pro-environmental behaviour in co-housing communities.
*Efficient use of land. Cohousing provides the opportunity for higher-density, yet family oriented socially and sustainable development. Typically sites are chosen within easy access of public transportation and walking distance from many services.
*Transportation alternatives. Substantial bicycle storage and easy opportunities for car sharing because of the socially connected community have created a documented reduction in automobile ownership and usage.
*Organic gardening. Wherever possible organic gardening is incorporated, providing the opportunity for a locally generated food source.
*Native species in the landscaping. This enhances the local ecosystem and requires less maintenance, fewer pesticides and reduced water use.
*Preserving natural habitat. Where communities have located in areas with more land, care has been taken to preserve as much natural habitat as possible and cluster the housing in order to have a lower impact on the environment.
*Effective waste and water management. Construction site recycling is typical for new development. In completed communities composting and recycling are taken to another level by including community collection systems for waste that is not typically picked up in the "blue box" program. At Quayside Village gray water recycling has also been incorporated. Rain barrels at Cranberry Commons further reduce demands on potable water supplies.
*Energy efficiency and use of alternative energy sources. Cost benefit analysis has caused Cranberry Commons members to pay a higher capital cost for an in-floor radiant heating system using an energy efficient boiler augmented with solar hot water panels.
*Material choice based on analysis of embodied energy and environmental impact. High volume flyash concrete was used at Cranberry Commons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of cement by 50% while providing a constructive use for a waste product from burning coal. About 10% of the wood used for construction at Cranberry Commons was reclaimed timbers, which reduces our impact on the forests and effectively answers concerns about how the wood was harvested.
*Sharing resources and bulk purchasing. Extensive common facilities shared by the community supports the social fabric, which makes the sharing of resources a daily reality.