Approved Audubon Lifestyles Design designation issued to Double Oaks Neighborhood Redevelopment in Charlotte, NC
The Approved Audubon Lifestyles Design designation indicates that the current land plan used to guide the construction and development of Double Oaks Neighborhood is consistent with the International Sustainability Council (ISC) Principles of Sustainability. This designation marks an important milestone for the development as it strives toward the ultimate goal of attaining the ISC Seal of Sustainability, and becoming recognized as an Audubon Lifestyles Sustainable Neighborhood.
Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) April 2, 2009
Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc. (The Housing Partnership) provides a comprehensive range of affordable housing services focused on revitalization, education, and development. The Housing Partnership has led the revitalization of several inner-city neighborhoods such as Greenville, where 105 new homes were constructed or rehabilitated and sold; Genesis Park, where more than 100 new homeowners purchased; and Seversville, where 57 homes were constructed and built or rehabilitated and 47 apartments are managed. Through its Homeownership Center of Charlotte, the organization has counseled more than 12,000 families and created 1,289 homeowners. The affordable multi-family and senior rental housing development efforts have created nearly 2,000 units of quality, well-managed units throughout Charlotte.
Building upon this ethic of creating affordable opportunities for individual households and entire neighborhoods, The Housing Partnership desired to expand and incorporate sustainability into the newly planned Double Oaks Neighborhood Development. In doing so, The Housing Partnership joined the Audubon Lifestyles Sustainable Development Program in the fall of 2008.
Learn more about the CMHP at: www. cmhp. org
"We have been searching for the right green trademark for the Double Oaks redevelopment for quite some time and I believe we have arrived at the right one," said Patricia G. Garrett, President of The Housing Partnership. "We spent a great deal of time researching different options for this community and think that Audubon Lifestyles makes the most sense."
Audubon Lifestyles, based in Palm Harbor, Florida, provides education, advisory services and certification assistance focused on promoting the International Sustainability Council's Principles of Sustainability. The organization facilitates sustainable living and lifestyles by assisting businesses and individuals in sustainable solutions that are reliable, practical and efficient. The Audubon Lifestyles Sustainable Development Program is geared toward assisting those seeking to become local, regional, national and international models of sustainability by using sustainable design principles and techniques.
Learn more at www. audubonlifestyles. com
The preparation of a Sustainability Study, and Analysis for the Double Oaks Neighborhood Development resulted in Audubon Lifestyles issuing the Double Oaks site a Sustainability Site Classification of 5F. A Site Classification of 5F means that the master plan should be designed in ways that attempt to preserve remnant natural elements found on the site, and restore patches of native community vegetation that still exist. In addition, emphasis should be placed on providing food and cover for species of wildlife found in urban environments, and provide educational opportunities for community residents.
The Approved Audubon Lifestyles Design designation indicates that the current land plan that will be used to guide the construction and development of Double Oaks Neighborhood meets these goals, and is consistent with the International Sustainability Council (ISC) Principles of Sustainability. This designation marks an important milestone for the development as it strives toward the ultimate goal of attaining the ISC Seal of Sustainability, and becoming recognized as an Audubon Lifestyles Sustainable Neighborhood. : Click here to see the current land plan (http://www. audubonlifestyles. com/doubleoaks. pdf)
"We are so pleased to be associated with this project, and are proud to issue the Approved Audubon Lifestyles Design to the Double Oaks Neighborhood Development.", stated Eric Dodson, Executive Director of Audubon Lifestyles. He added, "The Housing Partnership's dedication to building a truly sustainable neighborhood goes far beyond simply building with the environment in mind. The economic and social responsibility attributes of this project embody what it means to create a truly sustainable neighborhood."
Additional requirements in the Audubon Lifestyles Sustainable Development Program include developing a Sustainability Charter, a Natural Resource Management Plan, an Outreach and Education Plan, and ultimately attaining the ISC Seal of Sustainability. The ISC Seal of Sustainability is a designation granted to projects that have been planned, designed, constructed and managed in ways that have been verified to be environmentally healthy, economically successful and socially beneficial.
The International Sustainability Council is comprised of individuals representing universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses with a broad range of expertise and experience. The ISC's main purposes includes promoting the adoption of the Principles of Sustainability, serving as a think-tank on all topics pertaining to sustainability, acting as a virtual warehouse of information related to topics related to sustainability, and showcasing specific places, businesses, organizations and individuals who are leading the way toward creating a more sustainable Planet. To learn more visit: www. thesustainabilitycouncil. org.
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