One Planet Communities
A real-life guide to sustainable living

One Planet Communities
A real-life guide to sustainable living by Pooran Desai

How can we create sustainable zero carbon communities cost-effectively at the same time as increasing the probability of people leading happy and healthy lives? Written from the perspective of practical experience gained from world-leading projects such as Beddington Zero (Fossil) Energy Development (BedZED), One Brighton and Masdar City, this book provides a clear overview and simple insights for students, interested individuals and professionals in all areas of the property development and planning industries - including architecture, planning, engineering, surveying, development management, finance, legal, sales and marketing and estates management. It combines leading-edge thinking with simple practical advice in this fast-emerging field.

In the often confused realm of sustainable development, the book starts with the question of how to turn sustainability from an abstract concept into a clear framework on which to base practical design, development, long-term management and governance decisions. It describes One Planet Living, the approach which links the science of ecological footprinting to a simple framework of principles, and how the framework is being applied to create a coherent approach to projects in the UK, Europe, China, the US, South Africa, the Middle East and Australia. It also draws on other examples of best practice projects from around the world.

Chapter 1 Using ecological footprinting to define sustainability.

Chapter 2 Think Lifestyles - lessons from the BedZED eco-village.

Chapter 3 Understanding CO₂, greenhouse gases and ecological footprint.

Chapter 4 From green buildings to sustainable infrastructure.

Chapter 5 Zero carbon zero waste communities.

Chapter 6 A closer look at zero carbon and zero waste.

Chapter 7 Connect your community locally.

Chapter 8 Health, happiness and multiple benefits of green space.

Chapter 9 Compact and car-free - simply a better city.

Chapter 10 One Planet Living - Philosophy, story and set of principles.

Chapter 11 Design and construction of One Planet Communities.

Chapter 12 Start with the long term - governance and estates management.

Chapter 13 Sell the dream.

Chapter 14 Retrofit One Planet lifestyles.

Chapter 15 Keep one eye on the future.

Appendices.

Index.

Photo Credits.

Pooran Desai, OBE, is co-founder of award-winning environmental organisation BioRegional Development Group, where he originated the term ‘One Planet Living’ and leads the group’s One Planet Communities programme. He is also Sustainability Director of UK zero carbon property development company BioRegional Quintain Ltd. Living and working at the BedZED eco-village south London, he brings to bear on his work personal as well as professional experience.

‘Essential reading for the industry’ Khaled Awad, Director of Property Development, Masdar.

‘… gave us the framework to create a world-renowned sustainable community’. Brad Baker, President and CEO, Codding Enterprises, California.

‘… gives a clear analytical direction to follow … reads like a historical detective story’. David Nelson, Head of Design, Foster + Partners.