Project Overview Elk River is home to 25.63 miles of paved trails and 52.15 miles of sidewalks as well as popular bike trails and a mountain biking park. The Parks Master Plan addressed various gaps in the trail system and determined future trails. However, a study has yet to be done on bike lanes on […]
Program: Sustainable Communities Partnership
Bike Route Analysis
Project Overview Elk River is home to 25.63 miles of paved trails and 52.15 miles of sidewalks as well as popular bike trails and a mountain biking park. The Parks Master Plan addressed various gaps in the trail system and determined future trails. However, a study has yet to be done on bike lanes on […]
Analyzing Sustainable Infrastructure
PLACE’s Via development in St. Louis Park, MN will be a “mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-oriented community demonstrating profound environmental design.” The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure has developed Envision criteria to assess the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. The Envision rating system consists of “60 sustainability criteria that address the full range of environmental, social, and […]
Using Models to Analyze Sustainability Goals and Tradeoffs
PLACE would like to analyze of how well current operations and future design ideas meet their sustainability goals. Students will model several different sustainability objectives through coupled economic/energetic/mass balance models to analyze how goals are currently being met and recommendations to better meet goals. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. […]
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Using Models to Analyze Sustainability Goals and Tradeoffs
PLACE would like to analyze of how well current operations and future design ideas meet their sustainability goals. Students will model several different sustainability objectives through coupled economic/energetic/mass balance models to analyze how goals are currently being met and recommendations to better meet goals. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. […]
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Designing an ‘Energy Champion’ App for PLACE’s Ecovillage Development
PLACE would like to encourage residents to engage in sustainable behaviors and to create community at the same time. Using a user-centered design approach, CISC 321 students will design a prototype EcoVillage ‘Energy Champion’ app to encourage energy conservation and create community through friendly competition. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community […]
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Analyzing and Communicating Costs to Lenders for PLACE’s Ecovillage Development
PLACE’s EcoVillage development in St. Louis Park, MN includes multiple components: affordable and market-rate housing, an e-generation facility, live/work spaces, an urban forest, and a boutique hotel. Lenders often perceive multiple elements in a development as increasing risk, rather than distributing or managing risk. Students will analyze the multiple elements of the EcoVillage and provide […]
Read More… from Analyzing and Communicating Costs to Lenders for PLACE’s Ecovillage Development
Analyzing Sustainable Infrastructure
PLACE’s Via development in St. Louis Park, MN will be a “mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-oriented community demonstrating profound environmental design.” The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure has developed Envision criteria to assess the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. The Envision rating system consists of “60 sustainability criteria that address the full range of environmental, social, and […]
Designing Bike Racks for the University of St. Thomas
One component of the Bike Master Plan is the design and placement of bike racks, including during winter months. Students will design bike racks for campus, based on criteria provided by Facilities and background research on bike racks and available technology. Preschoolers at the University of St. Thomas Child Development Center will collaborate on the […]
Read More… from Designing Bike Racks for the University of St. Thomas
Designing Bike Racks for the University of St. Thomas
One component of the Bike Master Plan is the design and placement of bike racks, including during winter months. Students will design bike racks for campus, based on criteria provided by Facilities and background research on bike racks and available technology. Preschoolers at the University of St. Thomas Child Development Center will collaborate on the […]
Read More… from Designing Bike Racks for the University of St. Thomas