Maybe a pipe dream? A 'green city' as kc suburb

[Gina]

I'd like to see Kansas City and the surrounding suburbs become completely sustainable (green), but I know that (if it happens at all) it's a long way off.

I'd kind of like to see a completely sustainable metro area city - or community within a city/suburb - develop during my lifetime. I know it sounds utopian to the point of 'too good to be true', but I'd still like to see it happen. At least on some level.

I have in a mind a city powered only by renewable energy sources (any combination of geothermal energy, solar power, or wind power) that is completely off the grid (not receiving outside electricity from KCPL or the smaller electric companies). Pedestrians and cyclists would be welcomed instead of seen as in the way, 'weird' or child-like, as the case is in Johnson County. Not a ban on cars or anything, but a place where the need for a car is minimized to the point of only needing one for commuting to and from work, and in times of bad weather. Groceries, clothing, libraries, education, other necessities, and entertainment would be walking distance (in theory) to most residents. Maybe an on-site community organic garden or farm to provide at least some of the food.

Very idealistic, I know. But, there are a handful of communities like this in the US (I realize they are not without problems - just as any other community). I'd love to see one here. Or, at least close to here. Kansas City is my home, and although I know it's entirely possible for me to move out of state and into an already existing sustainable community, I can't bring myself to take my children away from their grandparents and friends. I also can't justify NOT encouraging a greener KC. By moving away to one of these communities, I'd only bring personal gain. It wouldn't do anything to promote environmentalism here.

Wow, that sounds so.... Hallmark Card, haha. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I don't know... it's just something I personally would be interested in. Also, I know that not all of the things I mentioned would be entirely possible, and I know there are other possibilities I didn't mention - but what's here is pretty much the basic idea.

[thisgreenlife]

Gina, I don't think this is a pipe-dream at all. A bit ahead of it's time, perhaps, but so many great ideas through the years took time for people latch on to. I think the community you're talking about is possible now, and likely to exist in the next ten years or so.

The key issue keeping it from happening now is getting people at large to let go of certain things they've come to take for granted--and even grow addicted to. Things like the idea of people not needing cars; that's something that wouldn't be so strange in many other countries around the world, or even in New York! But for the most part in the US, a car is part of the "holy trinity" of the American Dream, the other two parts being a family and a house.

It shouldn't be a surprise, given how much our society is devoted to personalization and individualism. We have such a large variety of styles of vehicles to choose from, and we are raised to believe that the type of car you drive, just like the clothes you wear and the music you listen to, is a reflection of your personality. The idea that a car is only for transportation is so last century! And cars are so expensive these days, sometimes costing as much or more than a house (but if you can afford one of those, odds are you're house is still way more). That's why it's held in such high-regard, and so coveted. Giving up your car and riding the bus or the subway is seen as being poor or unsuccessful. I wrote a paper once on the evolution of the car as a class-symbol; I think for the future you envision--indeed, that we all envision--to come about, people's attitude towards the car (amongst other things) has to change from one of status and validity to one of utilitarianism, bordering on indifference.

As long as people are looking out for themselves ahead of others, a community of any sort is doomed to failure. We have to learn to put others' needs before our own, and believe that others will look out for us.

Having said all that, I do still think that your vision of a completely sustainable community is possible now. It takes planning, motivation, and commitment, but it can be done. Other countries already seem to be starting to embrace this concept. Can our American-minds accept such a community, though? That remains to be seen. But as long as there are people like you and I and the rest of the Big Green Citizens out there, changing minds one at a time, there is still hope.

[Gina]

thisgreenlife said:

Having said all that, I do still think that your vision of a completely sustainable community is possible now. It takes planning, motivation, and commitment, but it can be done.

Hmm... I wonder what it would take to gather a group of people and start a green community from scratch on the 'outskirts' of town... That would be an ambition worth looking into, although it seems it would be expensive. Maybe it's more trouble than it's worth? (I'm just thinking out loud mostly....)

Can our American-minds accept such a community, though? That remains to be seen. But as long as there are people like you and I and the rest of the Big Green Citizens out there, changing minds one at a time, there is still hope.

I think (at least, I hope) there are more Americans open to the idea than we realize. Many of them just don't know what they can do outside of their individual family units. Or maybe they know how, but they're just not ready to put forth the teamwork effort it would involve. The habit of self gratification is probably one of the hardest habits to break.

Either way, I think websites like BGKC are one step in the right direction.