CONSPECTUS: SOME CONCLUSIONS IN PERSPECTIVE

     The study concludes with a cost analysis of these sustainable design strategies, measuring the extent of the resource and monetary savings for each household, the community, state and nation. The strategies all have a relatively short 1-7 years payback period and can save the community millions of US dollars (the state and nation billions). These savings would be retained in the community instead of exported to pay for imported resources and energy. This fosters a sustainable local economy.

     The community program is based upon a holistic, ecological model—a critical first step in creating sustainable communities, locally and globally. Modeling human-environmental interchanges were found to be a powerful and useful concept, fundamental to sustainable design and planning processes. The implementation of this regenerative program requires an active collaboration between government, civic organizations and private individuals. Pullman is in the process of revising its comprehensive plan. This proposal has been presented numerous times to local community groups and PCEI (Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute) is taking a leadership role by holding a series of town meetings for "Visioning Sustainable Community Development." Also, the two land grant universities (The University of Idaho—8 miles to the east in Moscow, Idaho, and Washington State University in Pullman) are forming faculty and resource collaboratives based upon sustainability, conducting research and education programs. The University's Community Service learning programs are making a significant contribution to the community by planting thousands of trees and establishing greenway along the waterways. The future of that "paradise called the Palouse" looks promising. This process is being enhanced by grassroots efforts, demonstration projects and presentations, and lobbying of governmental and community leaders.

     Although this methodology is applied to a relatively small community in a rural setting, it is transferable to larger urban places which are generally composed of sub-units similar to this community. Specific policies and strategies will vary with local conditions, but the methods for modeling and demonstrating the qualitative benefits from human-environmental sustainability are universally effective. The proposed model is also inherently a powerful research, educational and marketing tool for sustainable community planning and development.

This web site was developed with the authors and Michael Mahaffy, Computer Systems Professional, School of Architecture, Washington State University