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The standard approach to designing new homes and communities isn’t working. But there’s a better way says Anthony Probert
Grow Community
A thriving, green alternative to traditional suburbia. This One Planet Community is a ferry ride away from Seattle and is offering its residents a healthier, happier and greener way to live
Sustainability in Seattle
Grow Community is on Bainbridge Island, a 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle – the biggest city in Northwest USA and home of Boeing and Microsoft. 131 homes have been built in line with a sustainability action plan based on the ten One Planet Living principles.
The emphasis is on creating a compact, neighbourly community with plenty of shared green space and essential services, and facilities all a short walk or cycle ride away. Grow Community is in stark contrast to the car-dependent suburbia and huge homes found across the American suburbs.
Grow Community has highly insulated, airtight, all-electric homes. Residents have the option of installing enough power-generating rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels to meet almost all of their homes’ energy demands – or even exceed it in some cases. In Grow Community’s first phase, 22 of the 23 households have opted for PV panels, supplying them with grid-connected, zero-carbon solar power. Electrically powered air source heat pumps with heat exchangers keep them warm and well ventilated in winter.
With car parking spaces separate from the homes and only one car parking space per property, residents are encouraged to cycle and walk instead of driving. Grow Community has shared gardens, its own orchard, woodland, a green and a community building. The development is designed to appeal to people of all ages and life stages – young adults, families with children and retirees.
We wanted to build a unique community at Grow - one that comes together to do its part for the planet. And it worked - the residents have taken the ball and run with it.
Greg Lotakis, Grow Community Project Manager at Asani
Culture and community
65% of residents participating in the communal gardens
Travel and transport
A survey showed an 85% increase in walking and 30% in cycling by residents since moving to Grow
Zero carbon energy
Tracking of eight homes shows the PV met more than 85% of electricity demand and electricity bills are as little as $8/month
One Planet Living is our vision of a world where we can live happily within the Earth’s resources, and a straightforward framework to achieve this
Find out more
Action plan
Annual review
Change one thing - change the future
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Nine surprising and inspiring places using One Planet Living
Globally, there are 18 pioneering One Planet Communities, Cities and Companies doing amazing things to demonstrate that we can live happy and healthy lives within the earth’s resources. But many, many more are using One Planet Living
Discover other Leaders
SOMO Village
SOMO Village is a mixed-used sustainable community, 40 miles north of San Francisco, California, where all residents can enjoy living within a five-minute walk of everything they need
Elmsbrook, NW Bicester
Bioregional supported the development of Elmsbrook, the exemplar phase of the UK’s first eco-town North West Bicester, from 2010 to 2017, through a long-term partnership with lead developer A2Dominion and the local authority Cherwell District Council
Bonham Quay
Combining office, retail, restaurant and cultural space, Bonham Quay is designed to create a healthy, greener work environment for 2,600 people where it’s easy to make sustainable choices