possible site maybe?...

Edgewood Mobile Home Park‎
402 35th Ave N, Fargo, ND‎

Edgewood Mobile Home Park is a relatively well maintained trailer community located in Fargo, ND. Edgwood is located directly adjacent to the Red River and the fargo wastewater treatment plant, this presents some obvious challenges, but also some interesting opportunities. Also nearby is Edgwood Golfcourse, multiple elderly communities and BRENDA'S SHACK! for breakfast and lunch (delicious).

SITE IDEAS:

A portion of Fargo's waste stream could be diverted to a Living Machine System.

Partially treated water could be pumped through a wetland system within the community. geothermal wells can be placed benieth wetland waste water treatment system to increase heating and cooling efficiency.

Sludge from water treatment plant could be used for biogas production. food waste from nearby cafe could be used for biogas production.

The red could possibly be used for hydroelectric prodution

The riparian corridor could be repaired to create a more healthy ecosystem and also nature hiking bird watching and outdoor classroom opportunities.

How Did Your 401(k) Really Stack Up in 2008?
By Emily Brandon , Katy Marquardt





"The year's 401(k) and IRA account summaries have been rolling in, and they don't look pretty: In 2008, employees, on average, lost 14 percent—or about $10,000—of their retirement savings, according to Hewitt Associates. Some lost much more. Fidelity, the nation's largest retirement-plan administrator, says the average balance in its customers' accounts dropped $19,000 in 2008......Retirement account losses in 2008 disproportionately affected wealthy savers. Those with more than $200,000 lost more than a quarter of their savings, on average, according to an Employee Benefit Research's Institute analysis of 22 million participants in more than 55,000 employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. Investors in the $100,000 to $200,000 range suffered as well, with an average loss of 21 percent in 2008. The typical account with $50,000 to $100,000 lost 15 percent."



With fear over 401k losses, the mortgage crisis and general economic woes many americans are beginning to cut back. Living less large and investing in sustainable housing and technology is beginning to look more attractive to the average consumer, especially with looming plans for "cap and trade". Perhaps some well placed trailer parks could serve as retirement communities for those that dont mind cutting back on space in order to retain an anticipated standard of living. Well designed walkable trailer park communities could be a good fit for boomer retirees and could become a new responsible living opportunity for the next generation.

geothermal

Geothermal climate control is one of the most economically feasible sustainable technologies available today. Because of TerraCourt's mobility the installation of such infrastructure would be relatively painless. If bundled with a stormwater detention pond the system would both increase efficiency and the aesthetics of the area.

passive architecture

some passive designs found on TREEHUGGER.com

Biogas

Biogas Cylinder
Organic waste = compost + biogas = energy
image: http://ctrade.org/images/biogas2.jpg

Clayton i-house http://claytonihouse.com/

An example of what could be the future of sustainable modular home design. Modular homes are efficient to build, precisely designed and executed, and the best part is because of mass production they are modestly priced.

Thesis:

TerraCourt is a reivention of the "trailer park". Expanding upon the quality features of the trailer park community such as: density, pedestrian scale streetscape and modular housing along with instituting "green technology", trailer parks can become vibrant and attractive communities. If successfully executed "TerraCourt" will foster an evolution of the trailer park into a more sustainable and purposeful idea of community.