Sustainable Land Development  

According to Jim Heid, Founder and President of UrbanGreen and our guest this month, 60% - 80% of all residential development is going to be on a greenfield (depending on where you are in the world). Thus, while infill development is the preferred option for sustainable real estate, the reality is the market will continue to dominate in the greenfields. So, if we need a better model for greenfield development to confront this conundrum, where are the opportunities? What role does CO2 play in guiding master planned developments? What can be done now that will make a real difference? Jim will address these questions while discussing how he helps his clients create "new communities that provide a positive contribution to their environment, region, and residents."

Jim has over twenty years experience in the design and development of new community, urban infill, and resort developments. He started UrbanGreen in 2000 to act as development partner and advisor to legacy landowners, institutions, and land development companies that embrace principles of sustainability. Prior to founding UrbanGreen, Jim worked as a land planner and advisor with two of the country's leading firms, Design Workshop (1987-1993) and EDAW (1994-2000). He is co-author of Sustainable Planned Communities, author of Greenfield Development Without Sprawl, and an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Congress for New Urbanism, American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Urban Land Institute where he sits on the Land Use, Energy and Climate Change Advisory Panel.

See you next Thursday! [Note that we are trying Thursday's in an attempt to allow more Haas students to attend.]

The Green Developer Speaker Series is a monthly lecture series where experienced professionals discuss the nitty-gritty of taking green building from concept to reality.