The Rowen Foundation sees a path to sustainable development

As the Earth Day Week ends at the end, I remind me that proper management of our planet will require an approach “all hands on the deck”. Business and development sectors are not exempt. THE Rowen Foundation It proceeds with a 2,000 -acre living lab, promoting a hub for innovation, research and community. Announced as “Issuing of the Geangle Park of North Carolina” Rowen He believes that the human -based knowledge community will be a role model for sustainable development, politics and economic well -being.

Rowen’s Climate conscious approach

In a conversation with Rowen Foundation The President/CEO of Mason Ailstock and my colleagues said to me: “As a next -generation community, Rowen is preventively facing climate durability through innovative land use and infrastructure strategies, creating a platform for vertical development with the ability to monitor the Innovation, from my lens, is sustainability and environmental management are baked from day 1 and not by a second thought or secondary process through modernization.

Data and cooperation

As part of its basic design and command, Rowen sees the 2,000 -acre development as a living lab and has worked with the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory University and Georgia Gwinnett. The area has a rich tank of smart talent and ideal. RowenIn collaboration with the researchers, environmental, cultural and historical sensitive areas are monitored. Rowen Leaders said: “The researchers have also identified ideal developing areas that historically have a monoculture where we can incorporate a larger variety of landscaping and habitat through the development process … This preventive approach not only protects biodiversity but also protects biodiversity but also helps.

Innovation is a basic value

Rowen It has recently completed a $ 32 million infrastructure investment for climate change resistance and has implemented several innovative features to move the past design by car that is characteristic for many developments. These include:

1. Biocapulation & Permeability: Traditional slope and farmers systems were replaced by biodegradation methods, allowing natural absorption and water storage. This change itself reduced the impenetrable surfaces by over 125,000 square feet, significantly reducing the runoff and improvement of rainwater management.
2. Smarter Street Design: Using narrower strips and reduce excessive concrete use, Rowen minimizes the effects of urban heat, while reducing built -in carbon into building materials.
3. Flexible Land Architecture and Land Use: The Website is designed to evolve over time, hosting new building materials and technologies that enhance energy efficiency and destruction resistance.

The previous owners of the site had already mitigated the invasive species that produced a potential fuel load and controlled burns have been used to further reduce the high risks of fire, while maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Impact and policy

Rowen It is in the early stages of development, which creates the ideal opportunity for researchers from universities and partners to determine the basic conditions in air and water quality, climate conditions, carbon engagement and land use. This timeless approach will help Rowen Understand his environmental footprint over time and update other developers looking for optimum climate durability practices.

There is no planet B, so viability and durability are increasingly necessary. Yes, the climate and other systems are naturally changing, but the human “footprint” and the relevant stress factors are important. Dinosaurs did not have paved roads, fuel engines, well -groomed lawn or HVAC systems. Rowen have recognized the business case for sustainable development. Ailstock said to me: “Sustainable infrastructure investments often lead to long -term cost savings, reducing the need for costly flood mitigation, fire suppression and emergency efforts … most importantly, providing some levels of protection for their protection, Georgia ”.

They make a point. Regardless of what you believe, southeast are increasingly facing or frequent threats from extreme events such as Hurricane Helene, floods, burning and fires. I have long argued that “if, hopefully or let’s wait and see” they are no longer sustainable planning strategies today. We have enough scientific understanding, data and common sense to make preventive, durable decisions. Rowen seeks to be a pacesetter to shift the way communities are designed, manufactured and managed in the face of the changing climate, extreme weather conditions and the global mitigation of risks to the key sectors.