Case+Study+-+Ecotowns

=ECO-TOWNS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM =


 * ====Arguments for eco-towns ==== || ====Arguments against eco-towns ==== ||
 * * ====They are made up of 40% green space ====
 * ====Less than 50% of travel will be made by car ====
 * ====Wind turbines will power homes ====
 * ====They are models of sustainability ==== || * ====Increase traffic congestion ====
 * ====Impinge on wildlife habitats ====
 * ====They exacerbate flooding ====
 * ====They're generally being built on greenfield land, which works against smart growth principles ====
 * ====Cost – it’s expensive to build sustainable communities, and for people to buy homes as a result ==== ||

Since the original proposals the number of possible sites has been reduced and refined. There are four sites that have been shortlisted:

 * ====Whitehill-Bordon, Hampshire ====
 * ====St Austell and Clay Country, Cornwall ====
 * ====Rackheath, Norfolk ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">North West Bicester, Oxfordshire ====

====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Construction has already begun on a development in North West Bicester, the UK’s first eco-town. A2Dominion plan to build up to 6000 new homes, with the first stage expected to create 393 highly energy efficient homes, as well as a primary school, community centre, eco-pub and retail centre. Residents will move in as early as spring 2015. ====

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">North-West Bicester - the UK's first eco-town:
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">North-West Bicester:

 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">is a pioneering development of 393 highly energy efficient homes with 51 acres and 40% green space ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">integrates cutting edge technology with environmental integrity at its core ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">has a commitment to use local suppliers and subcontractors - 20% local labour on site during construction, creating a minimum of 10 apprenticeships ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will have zero waste going to landfill during construction – reducing carbon by 30% ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will be future proofed against climate change so that homes will stay cool in summer and warm in winter ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will harvest rainwater to help reduce water usage to 80 litres per person per day ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will include solar PV Panels with an average of 34m2 per house and real time information system in every home ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will display real time bus and train information as well as local cycle routes ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will have meadow turf rooves which will encourage biodiversity ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will have an energy centre to supply combined heat and power to all homes with surplus power given back to the national grid ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">should include superfast broadband at 100mbps (megabits per second) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will promote healthy lifestyles ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will include 30% affordable homes ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">will have many community events, bringing the community together ====

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">North-West Bicester will be one of only seven 'planet' communities in the world:
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

For more information, visit @http://nwbicester.co.uk/ or see YouTube video below. media type="youtube" key="-_IpG7Ntjlg" width="560" height="315"

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