Reversing suburban flight

Americans have begun to feel the effects of rising energy prices. Once upon a time, many considered it more enjoyable and affordable to live in the suburbs and commute into the urban core for work. Now it’s a different story – rising energy prices have forced many people to sell their white picket-fenced suburban homes for condos in the city that provide them with a shorter commute and easier access to public transportation. Quarry Falls is a model for this type of sustainable design. By utilizing an urban, infill site, Quarry Falls will provide a variety of affordable home types while promoting walkability and transit ridership. Interestingly, Quarry Falls offers many of the attractive amenities that people in the past have moved to suburbia to find – parks, open space, walking trails, and a socially-connected community. As energy prices drive transportation costs up, we must begin to think green in our planning and building principles. Read more in this New York Times article.