NRE 701 February 6, 2004Isaac BrownMark DennisNancy WalkerProspectus: Project for a Sustainable Keweenaw I. PurposeThis opus seeks to establish precedents for a culture of sustainable design, development, and community interaction between residents and tourists in the Keweenaw Peninsula and the Skete of the Society ofSt. John, located in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.II. Problem StatementThe Keweenaw Peninsula represents a unique combination of natural, cultural, and economic conditions. The peninsula is home to perhaps the most unique ecosystem in the entire Upper Peninsula; the past cultural dominance of mining has given way to highly localized cultureseconomically dependent on logging, higher education, and tourism. Substantial economic development throughout the region has made the implementation of a sustainable development culture a very real necessity. The precedents this project seeks to establish will take various forms, including a master plan for the Holy Transfiguration Skete of the Society of St. John (a client for this project, and one of the largest employers in Keweenaw County); community assessments and analyses of landscape perception, behavior, and preferences; and recommendations for sustainable local development.III. Research QuestionsHow can design and planning at the monastery be made an exemplar of sustainable development practices for the Keweenaw Peninsula?What should constitute viable sustainable design practices for the Keweenaw Peninsula?What relevant precedents exist for sustainable design elsewhere –both successes and failures, and at multiple scales— and how can their lessons be applied to this project?How can this project utilize sustainable design to positively impact behavior in the Keweenaw at multiple levels (individual, local community, region)?IV. Research ProceduresBelow is a table of several aspects of this project summarizing the methods, participants, and data treatments for this project.One should expect to see some degree of crossover between the three strands as organized below:REM RPB/CEMP L.Arch.Ecosystem surveys (i.e. plant, landform, soil, and climate)Community surveys (e.g. landscape perception & preferences)Site surveys and analysis of existing conditionsGIS mapping and analysisResearch into precedents for sustainable practicesSite planning for a campus of monastery structuresBotanical consulting (e.g. ethnobotany, medicinal and commercial plants)Economic impacts of commercial/employment activities related to the Skete.Design development of garden spaces, water features, and a trail systemImpact of permaculture techniques of ecosystem management (e.g. prescribed burns for better berry crops)Recommendations to MDoT related to trafficcongestion caused by proximity of the Skete to Highway M-26.Master plan for the entire monastery property, with recommendations extending up to 150 years.Translation of the monastery master plan into a sustainablebusiness model for the regionCollaboration with current planning efforts at the city, county and regional levelsV. Timeline and BudgetWe have a project advisor, and are currently talking with other faculty as consulting advisors to this project.Literature, background, and policy-oriented research could begin immediately (Spring 2004)Field ecological research and architectural work could begin with first thaw and continue through Summer 2004.We are still finalizing some additional funding sources, but the client (the Skete) is the central source of funding for all aspects directly related to the design of the monastery campus
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