Why would a consortium of groups like these take the lead in carrying out a Design Competition whose goals seem to be more in tune with those of an environmental non-profit? Although there are undoubtedly many reasons, the one that resonates most universally, is that the competition provides an avenue for ‘learning while doing’ in a competitive environment. The participants will be required to design using sustainable development and stormwater management principals,
If history is repeated in North Texas as it has played out elsewhere around the country, the development community will discover that these practices can not only produce a multitude of environmental, quality of life, and marketing benefits for both designers and developers alike,
Why would a consortium of groups like these take the lead in carrying out a Design Competition whose goals seem to be more in tune with those of an environmental non-profit? Although there are undoubtedly many reasons, the one that resonates most universally, is that the competition provides an avenue for ‘learning while doing’ in a competitive environment. The participants will be required to design using sustainable development and stormwater management principals
By the way, other LID Design Competitions in planning have been reported in San Antonio TX, Lancaster PA, Philadelphia PA and Johnson County KS, among others. These LID Design Competitions are not only educating design professionals but are also helping spread awareness about Low Impact Development practices and cost effective solutions around the country.
Did you catch the announcement by the North Texas Land/Water Sustainability Forum launching their Low Impact Development (LID) Design Competition a few weeks ago? The North Texas LWS Forum, like the original in Houston, is an all-volunteer organization whose steering committee is made up of leadership from most of the primary local professional organizations (for engineers, architects, developers, etc.) and government agencies whose members’/staffs’ livelihoods depend on development.
A tip of the hat to retired legendary Dallas Time Herald sports reporter Blackie Sherrod who introduced the idea of scattershooting, i.e., bouncing through a variety of topics in a single column, often producing interesting tidbits and food for thought.