Architect James Polk is setting up to begin work on his plan for a walkable and sustainable community in the Gulf Coast region.
Polk's new development will cover 60 acres in the Southern Mississippi community of Hattiesburg and will include 222 single family homes and nearby commercial amenities. The housing is designed for the spectrum of buyers, with prices ranging from $60,000 to $220,000.
"Hattiesburg architect James Polk, said the project, known as the New American Village, incorporates a concept to build and develop a sustainable and walkable community that allows residents to walk to necessities such as grocery stores, medical care and recreational facilities."
"All the buildings are designed with nature and the environment in mind with 'green' roofs on large buildings - roofs covered with natural plants to control runoff during rains and insulate the buildings. Houses are designed with solar panels as an alternate source of power and to ventilate themselves, allowing residents to stay comfortable without using air conditioning or fans. They will be built using plastic foam forms filled with concrete. The exteriors will be covered with stucco and the interiors with plaster."
FULL STORY: Village project could be model for state

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Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

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Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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