Green building techniques focus on more than just the building and its immediate surroundings. The process also involves siting buildings, whenever possible, near public transportation hubs and other amenities, such as shopping areas, medical centers, and recreational facilities. Sites that are pedestrian-friendly encourage walking and bicycling, which reduces the need for automobiles. Siting buildings within the existing infrastructure helps discourage urban sprawl and save energy and money.

Green building can also help preserves historical and cultural aspects of the community. Designs are not imposing but, rather, blend into the natural feeling and aesthetics of a community. 

For information, strategies and examples of how green buildings can relate to their broader community, consult the sections of this website on Land-Use Planning and Green Development, and the page on Transit-Oriented Designs.

Cohousing is one approach that can incorporate resource-efficient housing with a sense of community. Cohousing is "shared-living" community in which residents have both private and shared spaces, and the arrangement encourages community support and decisionmaking. These communities offer social, economic, and environmental benefits. Several cohousing communities have also featured green buildings, and some examples can be found on our Green Development Success Stories page.

Link 

The Cohousing Association of the United States 
Provides a variety of useful information on cohousing, an index of cohousing communities, as well as many resources, including publications, mailing lists, and Web links. Offers a free e-publication.

On-line Articles 

Cohousing: A Model for Sustainable Living 
Describes cohousing, or shared living, and the benefits these "communities" offer. 

Building a Cohousing Community 
Outlines the characteristics of cohousing developments, as well as the development process. 

The CoHousing Concept 
Provides a good introduction to cohousing, including the advantages and disadvantages of this form of housing. 

Last Updated: January 26, 2004