Imports From Across the Pond

We talk a lot about import replacement-- substituting foreign-sourced goods for domestically-sourced ones. Import replacement is valuable! One could say it is IMPORTant. (Saw the chance for a pun, had to take it. My bad.) Import replacement contributes to local economies, offers a sense of place and identity for citizens, and demands a higher level of conscious consumption since the resources are coming from a local (and beloved) place. But one import that isn't negative? Ideas!

Within the latest reading are handfuls of creative planning solutions at play in Europe. I enjoyed underlining and annotating these ideas, considering the power the success they could have in America. Specifically, the ideas on greywater reuse, living roofs, and eco bridges resonated with me.

1. Greywater Reuse
In one of my Environmental Studies courses, we were challenged by our professor to come up with a SCIF project idea. My group's idea was to implement greywater reuse infrastructure on campus. The University of Utah uses a lot of water in their operations-- especially in landscaping. Approximately 47% of its water use is devoted to landscaping. This is absurdly higher than other universities. My group proposed replacing "virgin water" used for landscaping with secondhand "greywater,"-- water that comes from sinks, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, etc. Rather than using new water for watering lawns and plants, we could use secondhand water. In an arid ecosystem and a changing climate, we have little water to spare. I strongly believe this could help.

The very green lawn (which really shouldn't be grass and should be water-wise plants instead, but that's another post for another day....) on President's Circle that could be watered with secondhand water rather than virgin water!

2. Living Roofs
I loved Beatley's discussion on living roofs. His words on these roofs' moral-boosting effects in the workplace ring true to me, since my workplace has one! (Here I go again, talking about Red Butte Garden...) Red Butte features a green roof on the west face of its visitor's center. Not only does it have positive results in the department of reducing urban heat island and adding insulation, it adds more beauty to the building. Perhaps because Red Butte is a botanical garden and arboretum, we're dedicated to creating as much fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces as possible. This roof certainly helps bridge the gap, fusing the two realms together. I would love to see more living roofs in SLC, especially in the monotonous, dull downtown sector.

An early photo of the RBG green roof, before it grew in. (Sourced from redbuttegarden.org)

3. Eco Bridges
Maybe it's because I saw a dead deer on Foothill Boulevard today... or maybe it's because I'm still traumatized from the time I hit a raccoon on a busy highway... whatever the reason, I took a serious liking to the idea of eco bridges. I truly believe that we're the invasive species in ecosystems. We came in and took food, shelter, and migration routes away from creatures with our massive freeways and sprawling neighborhoods. I love the idea of making provisions for animals to cross busy streets. After all, I believe it's first and foremost their valley.

An ecobridge from The Netherlands. Aside from its functionality, look how pretty it is! (Sourced from twistedsifter.com)

In conclusion, my thoughts on Europe are as follows: great chocolate, cool accents, and excellent advancements in urban planning. (In no particular order.)