In Loreto Bay, Mexico, real estate developers are using principles of New Urbanism and sustainable development to create a thriving, eco-friendly resort community. Their plan:
1. Eliminate Cars
The master plan for Loreto Bay is the work of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, leaders in the New Urbanism movement. In keeping with New Urbanist ideas, the homes and shops are arranged in small neighborhood clusters. Even if automobiles could fit on the winding walkways through these neighborhoods, there would be no need for them. Businesses and recreational facilities are only steps away. Residents of Loreto Bay will spend their days "listening to voices instead of motors," says Ayrie Cunliffe, architect for the Village Homes.2. Build Walls That Breathe
Exterior walls in Loreto Bay are constructed with compressed earth blocks using locally-mined clay.continue reading below our video
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3. Create Cooling Courtyards
Instead of expansive front yards, homes in Loreto Bay have private interior gardens with fountains. The fountains and greenery cool the air. Hot air is exhausted through vents in roof-top cupolas. (See photo.)4. Draw Power From the Sun and Wind
Homes in Loreto Bay have solar-powered hot water heaters. The developers also hope to build a 20-megawatt wind farm to supply energy for Loreto Bay and outlying communities. Appliances and fixtures are designed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards for energy and water conservation.5. Harvest the Water
To conserve water resources in this dry Baja California environment, the developers have set aside 5,000 acres of land with two watersheds. A system of dams and channels collect water during the rainy season. Runoff from the rain is diverted to landscaped areas for irrigation. (See photo.)6. Restore the Wetlands
Winding through the villages and golf course at Loreto Bay are shallow estuaries. (See photo.) These water narrow waterways are are delicate ecosystems that provide a safe habitat for sea life and birds.7. Preserve the Greenery
At an EcoScapes agricultural center, specialists are working to restore the green spaces in the dry desert landscape. (See photo.) Trees removed from construction sites are preserved and transplanted. Organic vegetables are grown in a one-acre garden. Flowering vines and canopy trees are cultivated for neighborhood landscape design. Also, a productive potted plant such as a lime tree or a dwarf calamondin (a type of citrus fruit) is planted in the courtyard or terrace of every home. In grounds surrounding the neighborhoods, overgrazed areas are enclosed with fences so that moisture-preserving foliage can grow. Saline-tolerant Paspalum grass is used for the golf course.8. Recycle the Waste
As more than 100,000 people settle in the Loreto Bay villages, problems of waste disposal will mount. Organic garbage and waste will be separated and composted for landscaping and gardening. Re-usable items such as bottles and cans will be sorted and re-used. Developers estimate that about 5% of the wastes cannot be composted or recycled and must be sent to landfills.9. Vitalize the Economy
The Loreto Bay Company hires local craftspeople and laborers and offers training and lending programs. Developers estimate that the construction project will create about 4,500 permanent jobs and several thousand short-term jobs. One percent of the gross proceeds of all sales and re-sales goes to a foundation for local aid.10. Seek Simplicity
Homes in Loreto Bay are not McMansions. The first phase of the project, Founders' Neighborhood, offers six stock building plans ranging from 1,119 square feet to 2,940 square feet, including interior courtyards and gardens.Inspired by Spanish Colonial styling, the houses are solid and simple with plaster walls, terra cotta floors, and Bolivian Cedar doors and moldings. (See photo.) Surprisingly, closets are not a part of the standard floor plan in these homes. The underlying philosophy is that the residents will travel lightly and bring only a few possessions that can be stowed in wardrobes and cabinets.
Buyers in Loreto Bay can also opt for custom-designed homes. Construction costs average about $200 to $250 per square foot, excluding fees for architectural design, pools, and landscaping.
