today, a historically rich collection of architectural styles remaining from these periods are preserved in the building stock primarily located along port chester’s main street. in the next year, most of them are scheduled to be bulldozed and replaced by buildings two, three, and even four-times in height. 

i want to make clear that my intentions here aren’t meant to exert an opinion on the exact details of where development should and shouldn’t occur. any development projects are certain to be contentious, with winning and losing opinions. instead, i want to communicate the potential communities like mine have when undergoing these transformations. leveraging designs with people and place can not only improve the community but also do great things for its relationship with the environment. vice-versa, it also can prepare infrastructure to deal with the predicted extremes in climatic weather in the years to come. 

currently, my community’s redevelopment is proceeding with the failed planning standards of the last hundred years. jane jacobs, an activist turned urbanist, argued revitalization came at the expense of the community. in her book the death and life of great american cities, ms. jacobs emphasized the need to integrate new buildings into existing spaces as opposed to tearing down the community to create something new. for ms. jacobs, the danger of planning with a scorched earth mentality risked creating an environment which wasn’t in tune with its surroundings and risked causing more damage in the outcome then existed previously. 

in port chester, community members, with myself included, are pleading with the village to consider implementing mechanisms for environmentally- and community-conscious planning which have emerged in the last decades. for this story, i want to use port chester as my case study and show you the potential of what sustainable urban living can be. 

before i delve into what port chester could be, i need to catch you up on how port chester came to find itself at this crossroad. in short, the village is struggling to financially support municipal expenditures of a growing population while at the same time being unable to grow its assessable property tax base. as a result, the village began drafting a new zoning code titled plan the port in 2016 which ultimately passed in 2020. the new master plan’s core focus was the rezoning of the downtown area, which includes main street, to become a new commercial district. the new zoning code in the district would promote demolition of existing buildings by allowing heights of ten to twelve stories for developers.

at face, the solution was simple: more apartments equaled more taxable income. except, urban planning goes beyond just placing new buildings. it necessitates a clear understanding of how new spaces aimed at accommodating the increasing population, will impact existing infrastructure such as pedestrian facilities, roads, sewage, water, and the environment. 

even more concerning is the village’s rezoning of main street as a commercial district is next to a body of water, putting it directly in the path of sea level rise. in the surging seas risk finder main street lies in a red zoning, indicating areas most at risk for flooding. in 2021, the village experienced first-hand what the future will look like with hurricane ida devastating the community with unexpected flooding. 

in a decade where climate change is challenging the ecosystems our existence is dependent on, the increasing urgency to reconceive our relationship with nature calls for innovation in all sectors. this transition must extend beyond just focusing on carbon emissions. instead, a restructuring of how we think of infrastructure and city planning as a whole needs to be at the forefront of urban policy. 

cities, according to the united nations “consume 78 percent of the world’s energy and produce more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.” additionally, the un’s department of economic and social affairs expects 68% percent of the global population to live within urban areas.

with high consumptions levels and statistical indications of a continued increase in the amount of urban space globally, prioritizing sustainable development could have a massive impact on our carbon footprint. at the same time, it provides an opportunity to create spaces which focus on people and not just cars. as a community within the tri-state metropolitan region of greater new york city, port chester has the opportunity to use its development plans to become symbol of what urban sustainability looks like in a small-town community. 

so, here’s what i believe port chester could consider about new development projects which would improve the community while also preparing for climate change. 

first, the community should consider more options for micro-mobility. with a land area of just 2.36 square miles, the village is relatively small, interconnected and walkable. with the new addition of high-rise developments and no plans to increase the capacity of the existing roads, current traffic problems in the village are expected to get worse. using micro-mobility has the potential to reduce private vehicle use for short-distance travel, which is the primary cause of congestion in port chester. the village’s prioritization of car-centric development has led residents feeling the need to drive everywhere as opposed to walking the two or three blocks to their destination. this in part is due to the inadequate pedestrian facilities and non-existing bike lanes. a study released by portland state university even found how bike lanes can positively impact local economies. i know many people who would actively bike around town if they felt safe enough to. without doing so, the village is risking following in the steps of hartford, connecticut which by trying to accommodate as many automobiles as possible, left the city with a disconnected urban space where land for non-transportation use continues to shrink, as more land must be used each year for storing vehicles. implementing such a strategy would reduce the amount of cars on the road which directly correlates to less overall emission being produced.

next is the importance of integrating climate change into its master plan. for some trustees, ida’s flooding was a one time event which shouldn’t impact village planning. the science though tell us these weather events will get worse in the coming decades because of climate change. to prevent catastrophic flooding in our downtown main street, which is all but certain to get worse, the village could implement the use of natural stormwater management systems such as bioswales. the organization naturally resilient communities promotes the use of bioswales as an aesthetically pleasing alternative to concrete gutters and sewers. additionally, it should be required to use porous concrete and asphalt in areas prone to flooding. incorporating both these strategies would greatly reduce the impact of flooding and reduce runoff pollutants from entering the long island sound. 

third, the village could leverage the financial incentives new york state provides to municipalities through its clean energy communities program. locally known as the cec initiative, this completely free program to participate in from the new york state energy research and development agency has a guideline of successive goals municipalities can adopt. when groups of related projects are accomplished, the state awards grants which can be used for other community-based improvement projects. some amazing projects within this program include allowing municipalities to convert their net metering to renewably sourced energy, establishing property assessed clean energy financing, and clean fleet electric vehicles. 

fourth, the village could add electric vehicle charging station in strategic economic areas to encourage individuals passing through to stop to charge up. while vehicles are charging, the owners would be encouraged to pass the time by visiting our locally owned shops and contributing to the economy. 

lastly, port chester could promote green corridors through increased tree plantings. the european organization climate adapt found creating green corridors improves ecological biodiversity and provide shading to reduce the heat island effect. these green corridors can be placed on local streets connecting to the central downtown which would promote walking and biking. the japanese even found exposure of our senses to elements of the natural environment, even in small amounts of time can have a positive impact on our mental health. a study conducted by the environmental health and preventative medicine in 2019 even found a 100% decrease in depressive tendencies of all its participants through exposure to nature in a practice known as “forest bathing”.

i see so much potential for port chester to take advantage of its development to improve how residents interact with the place we know as home. within our zoning code, there is wording giving municipal leaders the authority to require developers implement certain community functions. an example would be requiring developments to meet improved pedestrian facilities around their property. 

i’m telling you the story of port chester because of its similarity to communities across the country. as our society builds for the future, incorporating mechanisms for communities to deal with climate change should be the imperative. adaptation is the opportunity to redesign our spaces with the environment and people in mind. 

with each passing month, a new development project in my community seems to be breaking ground for construction. it’s heart breaking seeing the small village i grew up in morphing into a concrete jungle devoid of any identity its once held. 

as i write this, there is good news. the communities unwavering commitment to being apart of the developments conversation has led our municipal leaders to reconsider. a new task force made up of engineers, architects, and planners is being created to consider how new developments will affect the village. my hope is for port chester’s elected officials to visualize how the intersectionality of climate change and development can ultimately improve the community. 

ultimately what the future has in store for port chester is still unknown, but from the current state of affairs, the communities united voice becomes stronger by the day. personally, i’m eager to continue advocating for a sustainable, urban port chester. who knows, maybe one day i’ll be able to bike to our downtown’s waterfront along a green corridor, instead of sitting in traffic. 

once you’re done with your banana, what happens to the peel if it sits in a plastic trash bag? the natural breakdown of food slows immensely when leftovers end up in a landfill or on the sidewalk. if you want to make a change that will help the planet, look no further than your own food scraps. 

“composting is essentially a renewal process. it is a verb and it’s a noun,” said najwa womack, a d.c. native who has been composting for the past seven years. “the action of composting is actually monitoring the decomposition process of organic materials, and what you come out with is a very nutrient-dense soil amendment.” 

womack runs sistained 8, an action step movement that increases awareness around environmental sustainability and teaches the community about composting. she admits that at first people may be wary of the smell, but they are almost always impressed with the end result. 

composting is an aerobic process, meaning it requires oxygen. in this process, organic material is heated and breaks down into nutrients which enrich soil and results in much lower carbon dioxide production, compared to the lengthier breakdown process in a trash bag. 

“you probably heard about methane when it comes to animal waste and pig manure, and too much of it can cause an issue. so that’s also the case with food waste going inside of plastic bags. it has been very harmful over time to the planet. it’s literally trapped methane gas that could be decomposing naturally,” womack said. 

in the u.s., the third-largest source of methane comes from landfills. this means every time food goes into the trash can, the release of methane increases, heating up the earth and furthering the climate crisis. 

“composting is an easy, fascinating, and natural way to recycle,” writes rhonda sherman, an extension solid waste specialist at north carolina state university, in a backyard composting publication. 

for those who don’t have outdoor access or prefer to be more hands-off, one method involves leftovers and a freezer. after cooking, throw any food scraps in a compostable bag (paper works too) or reusable container. organic materials like grass or house plant clippings, paper products, coffee grounds, tea bags, and more can be added. 

with this “freezer method,” there are no requirements for what or how many scraps get frozen. it all depends on what you have available. and that’s it, you’ve started composting! once the bag is full you will need to do a little research about your town. drop off your compost at a municipal facility or pay a small fee to have it picked up by a service. some farmers markets and universities also offer free composting programs to the public and handle the decomposition process at a dedicated facility. 

the other option is to be involved in the composting process from start to finish. start your pile on the ground or place your bin in a shaded area, so it stays moist. here you must have two main components — your browns and your greens. browns are dried leaves, newspapers, cardboard, twigs, etc. they absorb moisture, help keep your compost pile structured, and are sugar-rich carbon sources. greens are your leftover food discards like fruits, veggies, and even your coffee grounds. greens help provide moisture for microorganisms and are protein-rich nitrogen sources. you should aim for a browns to green ratio of about 70 to 30. note that it is best to avoid adding meat and or dairy products as they don’t decompose well in a traditional compost pile, and can attract bugs.

is it possible to compost meat and dairy? yes! “they can be placed in an in-ground digester, such as the green cone,” according to sherman from nc state. some municipal composting programs also may allow them. if you use the freezer method and have meat and dairy leftovers, check with your drop-off program for their specific guidelines.

as for the size of your compost pile, it should reach three to five feet in height and at least three feet in diameter. this is key to having the pile retain heat and be self-insulating, which decomposes the materials. alternate between layers of browns and greens or mix them very well and the breakdown process will happen naturally. to speed up the composting process, add water to keep it moist and turn the pile frequently. chopping your leftovers into smaller pieces doesn’t hurt either. 

to avoid having excess food overall, womack says the first step is awareness, and to study your own eating patterns. from there, one can shop smarter and label your food with dates to monitor your food consumption. even with a perfect harvest or shopping list, there inevitably will be leftover inedible parts — and that’s where the sustainable practice of composting comes in. the resulting nutrient-rich amendment regenerates soil, optimizes the taste of the crops, and can decrease pathogens. 

womack finds composting “very solution-based … you are a single ambassador and if we have enough people — more than enough — ambassadors doing that activity, we’ll start to see a lot more change.” 

composting is a quick change one can make at home that truly benefits the earth and improves soil health, with options to dedicate as much or as little time as you have. 

as i grew older, i continued to visit beaches on the jersey shore with my school friends, including seaside heights, also known for its family boardwalk. when hurricane sandy struck the jersey shore in the fall of my sophomore year of college, i was shocked that a storm of that magnitude could strike so close to home.  it was a huge reality check, turning on the television and seeing the aftermath aerial images of seaside height’s jet star roller coaster sucked into the ocean waters. for me, hurricane sandy changed the meaning of the beach from a relaxing vacation setting to an area of vulnerability, similar to what the movie, jaws, did for swimmers on the beach.

when all of the rebuilding efforts were finally completed, sandy had left a deadly record and emotional hardships on all those living in or near the area.  one-hundred-and-fifty people lost their lives. about 650,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and it was the most expensive storm since hurricane katrina. it also was the first time i became seriously worried about the impacts of global climate change.

although single hurricanes are not directly caused by climate change, global warming can enhance the intensity of hurricanes through sea level rise and warmer temperatures. over the past century, sea levels have risen over a foot on the jersey shore, largely due to human induced climate change. additionally, the intensity, frequency, and duration of hurricanes have all increased since the early 1980s. these factors placed 40,000 more people in new jersey in sandy’s destructive path.

this is frightening not just for people living near the jersey shore but also for the sustainability of the shore itself. as much as i would like to chalk this up to a tragic anomaly, i am too concerned about the vitality of a place that holds some of my most cherished childhood memories to not be affected. sandy is a hard smack to our american consciousness, signaling to us that more must be done to protect these vulnerable beach areas.

most states have implemented adaptation measures, but this will not save us from the worst effects of global warming. by 2100, sandy-level flooding could occur once a year across the jersey shore. time is running out. we cannot just sit on the sidelines hoping for our team to win. we need to be actively engaged on curbing global co2 emissions. this will move us toward a virtuous goal of leaving the world in a healthier condition from where we left it, not one that threatens the people and places we most treasure. climate science has afforded us a great opportunity to preserve these areas and the meaning, such areas like the jersey shore, have had for many others and myself. let’s keep this possible for future generations.

eric osman is a senior at the george washington university majoring in journalism and mass communication with a minor in economics.

not ready to make the investment?  according to the american society of landscape architects, homeowners can take a smaller step in reducing energy consumption through smart tree placement.  when planted strategically, trees can reduce wintertime heating needs by two to eight percent. check out this animation that shows you how.

_{originally submitted july 7, 2011.}

watch an animation that explains how to use the landscape to reduce the energy consumed by a typical suburban home. see how smart tree placement and green roofs and walls dramatically improve energy efficiency. trees are being cut down to make way for new single-family homes, which then often sit on bare lots. these treeless lots not only have negative impacts on the climate, environment, and community health, but they also exacerbate the energy inefficient practices found within homes. this is a major problem given the average american home consumes 70 million btus annually. in fact, taken together, american homes account for 22 percent of total energy use as well as nearly 22 percent of carbon dioxide emissions (1.19 billion metric tons). (sources: the washington post and architecture 2030) mckinsey & co, a management consulting firm, found that energy use in the u.s. could be cut by 23 percent by 2020 by implementing simple energy efficiency measures. while homeowners can take low-cost steps to make the inside of their homes better insulated and therefore more energy efficient, the landscape isn’t often seen as a part of the problem–or the solution. basic green technologies like smart tree placement and green roofs and walls can be used to dramatically reduce energy usage inside homes. if placed strategically, trees can reduce summertime cooling energy needs by 7-47 percent and wintertime heating needs by 2-8 percent. (sources: the washington post and reducing urban heat islands: compendium of strategies. trees and vegetation, u.s. e.p.a.) in addition, well-designed residential green roofs, which are growing popular in some parts of the world, can reduce energy usage in both summer and winter. according to one canadian study, a 32,000- square foot green roof on a one-story commercial building in toronto reduced energy usage by 6 percent in the summer and 10 percent in the winter. similarly, the green roof of the american society of landscape architects (asla) at just 3,000 square feet reduces energy usage by 3 percent in summer and 10 percent in winter. weather, roof, and building size and location also have an impact on the amount of energy savings. lastly, fast-growing green walls can also reduce energy use by providing insulation in the winter and limiting direct sunlight on walls in the summer. in hotter months they also cool air temperatures by up to 10 degrees. (sources: reducing urban heat islands: compendium of strategies. green roofs, u.s. e.p.a. and american society of landscape architects (asla) green roof)

photo credit to dieseldemon.

osu’s encore strives for spatial efficiency in a 970 square foot, 3-person family home that features 2 bedrooms and an office. many active and passive systems were implemented in the design including an 8.5 kw pv array, solar thermal hot water collectors, solar thermal hot air collectors, shower drain waste heat recovery, desiccant dehumidification, energy recovery ventilation, air-to-water heat pump heating and cooling, r-40 walls, r70 ceilings, triple-pane windows, and airtight construction. this video introduces these systems and strategies that run this prototype for the new sustainable and affordable family home.

you can keep up with us and learn much more about the house, the team, and all of the student designed systems on our website at http://solardecathlon.osu.edu

looking to keep track of ohio state’s encore?

for access to the entire archive of ohio state’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

ohio state’s encore is the university’s second entry into the us department of energy solar decathlon. the team is designing and building a net-zero solar powered home that will travel to washington dc for the competition in september.

osu’s encore strives for spatial efficiency in a 970 square foot, 3-person family home that features 2 bedrooms and an office. the conceptual elements of the house originate at the central core, to which additional sustainable features are connected. living a sustainable lifestyle does not mean giving up the amenities that a family is used to, but it does require rethinking these elements with a focus on thoughtful design and its integration with passive and active systems to conserve and produce energy. this video introduces the architectural concepts behind this prototype for the new sustainable and affordable family home.

you can keep up with us and learn much more about the house, the team, and all of the student designed systems on our website at http://solardecathlon.osu.edu.

looking to keep track of team encore?

for access to the entire archive of ohio state university’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page