From the example, it looks like the Livable Streets Initiative would be a good first step for cities to take toward the carfree ideal. The changes they propose are inexpensive, leave room for lots of small iterations, and can be carried out by local groups almost as easily as local governments.

Streets can and must be more than just a place for the movement and storage of private motor vehicles. The urban street of the 21st century will be a “complete street,” accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders alike. At the Livable Streets Initiative we are helping citizens re-envision streets as great public spaces.

The magazine even sponsored a contest to see who could Photoshop their way to the best livable-street makeover. Of the winners, my personal favorite is this amazing re-do of a street in Milwaukee. (Click through for an interactive before-and-after view.)

Individually, the changes are almost trivial. A corner expanded here, some cobbles laid down there, a few trees planted. Only one major change would be necessary: narrowing the street to one lane in each direction. The overall effect is amazing, though; a crumbling undifferentiated gray surface becomes a cheery, purposeful street. I can easily imagine businesses, shops, and city-dwellers feeling drawn to this place after the change.

(via John Tantalo)

Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry.

Main tools used: chainsaw, hammer and 1 inch chisel, little else really. Oh and by the way I am not a builder or carpenter, my experience is only having a go at one similar house 2yrs before and a bit of mucking around inbetween. This kind of building is accessible to anyone. My main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverence and a mate or two to give a lift now and again.

Whether you agree with his motives and philosophy or not, it’s a fascinating story. The beautiful photos are  worth a look for their own sake, and there’s even a gallery of similar homes. New Hobbiton, anyone?

It’s not just for hobbits anymore. The logic of green roofs is becoming more apparent. We can minimize our bills while maximizing the beauty of the urban landscape. And every day it’s becoming a little easier to live in a house that just happens to have plants growing on it.

Maybe for you, my friend. Maybe for you. The rest of us will just watch and dream.

The Prince of Wales has been given the green light to build an eco-friendly house, rumoured to be a “starter home” for Prince William once he gets married.

In a more functional than palatial move, a 200-litre rainwater reservoir will collect and recycle rainwater to the house. The house will even have an eco-friendly reed bed sewage system.

The house has been scaled down from its original 14,885 sq ft to 8,500 sq ft to make it more energy efficient but the occupants will still live in splendour. There are six reception rooms downstairs and six bedrooms upstairs – five of which are en suite.

Low energy and water saving appliances will be fitted everywhere, whilst three large recycling bins will make the best use of waste and, according to a sustainability report, make “recycling and composting easy for the occupants”.

The report, by Dr Gail Kenton, of the BP Institute in Cambridge, gives the house a “very good” rating according to the Eco Homes 2006 criteria. It misses out on an “excellent” rating predominantly because of its remote location.

So… yeah. On the one hand, it’s a model of how a large residence can be made more sustainable by combining available building techniques. On the other hand, it’s an 8500-square-foot palace, not to mention the entirely new construction in a rural area. Built for royals, no less. Hrmph.

[Editor's note: Deana did fieldwork in Rocamadour, a small town in France known as a pilgrimage destination.]

“As US towns sprawl into the countryside, creating anonymous zones dominated by soulless malls, one of Britain’s leading historians asks if it could happen here…”

Scariest quote:

“After a closely fought referendum, Phoenix, a city of 3.5 million (roughly half the population of London), has only just agreed to a light-rail system.”

The answer, sayeth Google, is yes. And yes. Oh my, yes. Just thought I’d share.

UPDATE: If your budget is more modest, perhaps a Bag End dollhouse would be more manageable.