C A T H I ECentral America Tourism + Hotel Investment Exchange March 26, 2009

Sustainability: What is it?

• What is sustainability, what does it mean?

• Why do we need it, why do we need to consider it?

• How do we achieve it, how do we incorporate it?

• What are the advantages, will there be a return on my investment?

Sustainability: What is it?

•Merriam Webster Dictionary – of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanantlydamaged.

• Brundtland definition - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.(most quoted definition and from the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development)

PEOPLE

PLACEPROFIT

SUSTAINABILITYPRINCIPLES

SUSTAINABILITY

environmental social

economic

E N V I R O N M E N T

a i r

water

land

energy

Bundoran FarmNorth Garden, Virginia

CASE STUDYRural Conservation Development

sustainable numbers:

over 2300 acres

+95 homesites (2 acres each)

+8.2 miles of road

=less than 20% total land area disturbed!

Reduction in road width created a significant reduction in earthwork (8.2 miles = over $88,000 per mile!)

$724,702Savings

30904830552169800139248Public Roads

8960415594558144023Private Roads

(CY)Balance(CY)(CY)

Total EarthworkCut/Fill Total FillTotal CutDate

Earthwork Cost Comparison

sustainable infrastructure measures:

reduction in road width

+vegetated swales in lieu of traditional curb and gutter

+conversion of erosion control measures to permenant water treatment facilities

+thoughtful design and placement of infrastructure

=reduced construction costs($725,000 in earthwork alone)

sustainable “place” measures:

utilization of GPS for homesite location and existing stream crossing identification

+use of native vegetation which does not require fertilization and minimizes maintenance

+use of existing roadway alignments and avoidance of significant stands of trees and watercourses

=reduced disturbance, environmental mitigation and maintenance costs

+conservation of natural features, systems and vistas

+preservation of agrarian character and operation

+enhancement of wildlife habitat

=increased market value and profitability

lots sold range from $300,000 (2 acres) to over $1 million (50 + acres)

CASE STUDYUrban Infill Development

Oakhurst InnCity of Charlottesville, Virginia

3-d model by Wolf-Ackerman Architects

Re-development is included and encouraged in sustainable design principles

sustainable programmatic measures:

$100 / month rent reduction for apartment dwellers who do not park their own cars on the premise

+2 Smart cars and several bicylces provided for free to residents

+Connectivity of pedestrian and bicycle circulation in proximity to the University

=reduction in parking footprint (place);

walking and biking encouraged (people);

increased density (profit)

sustainable site design measures:

use of porous pavers and/or light-colored concrete instead of asphalt

+underground parking facility

+enhanced proposed tree canopy; preservation of existing tree canopy

=reduced impervious area;

reduced heat island effect

rainwater harvesting:

reuse for potable water source (laundry, toilets, etc.)

+reuse for non-potable uses such as irrigation

=payback from water usage savings

CASE STUDYUrban Infill Development

Union Bank & TrustCity of Charlottesville, Virginia

2005 City of Charlottesville Outstanding Development of the Year

2007 Garden Club of Virginia – Dougdale Award for Meritorious Achievement in Conservation

Original site plan – box culvert stream for easily accessible parking lot

Revised LID site plan proposal – keeping stream open and treating stormwater from parking areas with biofilters

sustainable objectives:

preservation of existing stream and other natural systems on site

+treatment of stormwater runoff in biofilters

+native plants garden palette

=enhanced environmental quality on site;

increase in bank business from customers sharing similar environmental beliefs;

awards and positive press from the local community