Connecting People and Resources
The Sustasis Foundation is developing three related projects, all under one organizational umbrella incorporated in Oregon. Sustasis is a Greek word meaning "to stand together" or "to come together into integrality". The organization's mission is to bring people and resources together in collaboration to meet the challenges of the future.
International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism
INTBAU is a patronage of the Prince of Wales concerned with sustainable regeneration of heritage, including new building in traditional patterns. INTBAU has networks and chapters around the world. The USA chapter will play an important role in addressing timely issues such as conservation of local heritage, sustainable building, local identity, and sustainable local economies centered around traditional cultures.
Led by Michael Mehaffy, a member of INTBAU's College of Traditional Practitioners, and former Director of Education for the sister charity the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, the USA chapeter has some 400 members and is hosting a launch conference in New Orleans in October 2007.
www.intbau.org/usa/index.htm (INTBAU USA)
Neighborhood Center Development Project
The Neighborhood Center Development Project is a proposal that is part of the recovery plan for New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Sustasis is partnering with the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association, the Neighborhoods Partnership Network, the Preservation Resource Center and other key strategic partners to deliver pilot centers that can easily be replicated, to provide rebuilding resources for local residents who have not been able to rebuild their homes. This work will be completed in collaboration with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Louisiana Recovery Authority and other local entities.
www.tectics.com/NRCs.htm (Neighborhood Center Development Project)
Environmental Structure Research Group
The Environmental Structure Research Group, an inter-disciplinary group of planners, architects, builders, ecologists, biologists, sociologists, economists and others are looking at challenges like those in New Orleans, and examining how to solve them. This group is working on the neighborhood resource centers as well, and is helping to develop promising new ideas and approaches. Among its members are Ward Cunningham, inventor of Wiki; Christopher Alexander, inventor of pattern languages; Bill Hillier, inventor of Space Syntax; Andres Duany, co-inventor of New Urbanism; and many other prominent researchers and practitioners. Stuart Cowan, the physicist and ecologist is also an active member.
www.aboutus.org/ESRG (ESRG)
