Within EcoLoam we are implementing a number of sustainability initiatives
to ensure our city operates without harming the natural environment.
Surveillance System Ecostep:
Ecostep is the eco-surveillance initiative of EcoLoam. Digital technologies are implemented throughout the city to monitor the sustainability of the EcoLoam ecosystem. Each citizen is granted a watch, dubbed “Ecostep,” with which they can adjust their behavior in accordance with the sustainability efforts of the city. The ecostep watch will communicate with sensors located in certain buildings. These sensors will send information to the citizens’ watch that is pertinent to their current activity. For example, restaurants will alert the resident of whether or not there is a shortage or an excess of certain foods within the city so that they may make their food selection based on that information. Another example, when bathing in the morning the citizen can be informed via Ecostep how long a shower can be taken to sustain the city’s water supply.The watch will also let each person know the ecological state of the city - how much rainfall there is, what paths need to be avoided due to excess foot traffic, and more. Ecostep also has a forum function where citizens can list extra supplies that can be reused by other citizens instead of thrown out. The idea is that with the right information, each citizen can become a part of the cyclical pattern of regeneration of the city.
Sustainability
Food Production Systems:
EcoLoam will rely on practices of Urban Farming for its food. Each building will have a rooftop garden and a courtyard garden in which food will be grown. Additionally, citizens will raise chickens, goats and bees. Bees are an important element to a sustainable food system because of their role in pollinating the plants. The sustainable food system of EcoLoam is heavily influenced by the philosophies of Wendell Berry. When asked what city people can do to promote sustainability, Wendell Berry replied “Eat Responsibly.” He finds it essential that food not be separated from its place as an agricultural act. He is addressing the urban dweller in this and it is important to understand that EcoLoam is not just a sustainable community, but a sustainable city. If the urban space is to have a truly sustainable food system it cannot be separated from the agricultural mechanisms that put the food on the table. Thus, every building is integrated with agriculture ensuring the citizens of EcoLoam remain in touch with the Earth as it provides them sustenance.
Water & Waste Management:
Water: EcoLoam has created a natural water cycle for its water management system. The city’s water system is a man made Surface Flow Treatment Wetlands. Waste water from residential, business, and municipal buildings, as well as rainwater will be piped into the wetland treatment center. The clean naturally treated water begins the cycle again by being piped back to the buildings and gardens. According to Wetland Solutions, Inc, “constructed treatment wetlands have relatively low construction, operation, and maintenance costs compared with conventional advanced treatment technologies.” The wetland treatment center will contribute to the sustainability of our city by recycling the waste water into reused clean water, moreover it will preserve the natural groundwater beneath the city.
Waste: Each home will be equipped with separate trash and recycling chutes, which connect directly to a highly efficient and trash collection and recycling center, eliminating the use of conventional trash removal vehicles. Compost centers will be located in every residential building. The compost will be used in the rooftop gardens and courtyards.