Tags: ecodistricts

Beyond the Surface: Advancing Material Transparency

by Thoughts?

Material transparency is key for architects and designers to improve health, reduce environmental impact, and promote equity. We use transparency frameworks like LEED, Living Building Challenge and the AIA Materials Pledge to inform our practice.

Transportation Planning: Adaptation Through Connection

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As we help communities design their streets, transportation systems, and public spaces, we recognize the uncertainty that big changes can bring. By focusing on the fundamentals of walkable communities and safe, accessible networks, we will be resilient.

Sharpsburg Community Vision Plan

evolveEA led stakeholders in crafting the Sharpsburg Community Vision Plan for the town's urban systems, people, and places, rooted in ecodistrict principles. The Plan is the community’s roadmap to shape their future and guide development in the borough for the next 5 to 10 years. It showcases Sharpsburg’s identity, people, culture, and ambitions, and envisions a community of opportunity where all people are connected, thriving, resilient, and empowered to be the best they can be.

Breathe Easy: Millvale Air Quality Planning

The Millvale Air Quality Plan was initiated because the Pittsburgh region ranks in the worst 4% of US cities for air quality, emphasizing a major health risk. As part of their Ecodistrict Pivot 2.0 Plan, Millvale Borough set the goal to become a “clean air community where people can breathe easy indoors and out”. The Breathe Easy Plan and implementation projects demonstrate how a citizen science research project can utilize expertise in the region to empower residents and produce impactful placemaking strategies.

Ecodistricts 101

While traditional development focuses on developing the built environment, ecodistrict planning focuses on developing both the hardware AND software of a community.

Millvale Food Hub

The Millvale Food Hub is a mixed-use building located on the main street of Millvale’s Town Center. The project called for the renovation of an historic building that had been left vacant for over a decade. Our community visioning process helped establish the goal of attracting a food-based business as a primary tenant, since Millvale had previously been dubbed a food desert.