EcoVillage at Ithaca
Ithaca, New York, United States
Located on former greenfield/agricultural land, EcoVillage Ithaca is a pioneering eco-village two miles from the town of Ithaca, NY. The development contains three neighborhoods that exemplify energy efficient construction and innovation in community planning. Affordable net zero energy homes and apartments, minimize waste and consumption of resources, create a vibrant and diverse community, build educational relationships with broader community.
175 acres, 100 units, 225 people
1991 - 2013
Co-Founders: Liz Walker, Joan Bokaer Engineers: Taitem Engineering
Performance levels achieved:
Standard
Good
Better
Living
Regenerative
| Place | |
|---|---|
| Limits to Growth | |
| Food | |
| Habitat | |
| Transportation | |
| Water | |
| Energy | |
| Health + Happiness | |
| Civilized Environment | |
| Neighborhood Design | |
| Biophilia | |
| Resilient Connections | |
| Materials | |
| Material Plan | |
| Embodied Energy & Carbon | |
| Waste | |
| Equity | |
| Neighborhood & Access | |
| Access to Nature | |
| Access to Community Services | |
| Investment | |
| Beauty | |
| Inspiration |
Goals & Strategies:
Place
-
Food
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Community gardens, two organic farms producing food for community, educational opportunities for residents.
Habitat
Goals: Promote biodiversity, reduce ecological footprint by 70%
Strategies: 80% of the site is dedicated open space, 55 acres are placed in a conservation easement, prairie landscape, permaculture, reforestation by an arborist.
Transportation
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Cars restricted to the perimeter of the community, car sharing and carpooling promoted, walking paths within community, carpooling, must drive to services.
Water
-
Water
Goals: Use 1/3 of typical development consumption.
Strategies: Rainwater collection, composting toilets, greywater infrastructure has been installed in units and awaits funding for completion.
Energy
-
Energy
Goals: Densely clustered Net-Zero energy community, biomass technologies are being studied for application.
Strategies: Net-Zero energy ready, Passive solar design strategies, passive house envelope principles, solar light tubes, grid tied solar PV, community solar hot water, heat exchange ventilation, 1 high-efficiency condensing gas boiler per 6-8 homes, Energy Star appliances, the community monitors and reports energy consumption and continually seeks improvements.
Health + Happiness
-
Equity
Goals: A community for all ages, promote sharing of resources between residents.
Strategies: Co-housing, community house, community center, apartment building, lots for purchase, playgrounds, community members volunteer with running and maintaining the eco-village, walkable community that is pedestrian oriented, annual community report and newsletter updates on community.
Materials
-
Materials
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Recycled and recyclable materials used in construction and insulation, salvaged materials, selection for non-toxic materials.
Waste
Goals: Not defined.
Strategies: Greywater recycling, composting, recycling services.
Download Case Study (PDF)
Sources:
ecovillageithaca.org
|
inhabitat.com
|
ic.org
|
youtube.com
*Note: This case study was developed using found information.
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