Final+Results


 * //__Better Living Solutions: Inspired by the Amish Lifestyle __//**


 * Introduction: **

We have located this potential community in an underdeveloped area of Brampton, at McLaughlin and Wanless Road. The community itself will be 25 000 square feet, which is large enough to establish a small, family-oriented and sustainable community. Because it is close to existing suburbs and local amenities, it will be more influential and easy to adopt the lifestyle we are proposing. Word of mouth and first-hand participation will help the community grow and establish itself. Surrounding communities that may not believe in the Amish lifestyle can still benefit from borrowing certain aspects of their environmentally sustainable way of life. We have designed this community using a bottom-up approach, where we recognize that there is a need for environmental responsibility without imposing a design on a target market. With this bottom-up style, we are not designing //for// the Amish, but instead, have chosen to learn from them, by adopting and integrating their sustainable values into a community we have created.


 * Hydro, Electricity, Energy: **

The most important goal of our community is to be environmentally stable. Using actual bills from a regular sized Brampton home, we were able to extract average hydro, electricity and energy usage. One month’s electricity for an average home is approximately $147. Water averages $43 per month, and gas for one month came to $141. For the necessary functions of a single home, the cost totals $331. Encouraging a minimalistic attitude adopted from the Amish lifestyle can be a financial incentive, even for those who are less aware of environmental effects. From an environmental perspective, there are many alternatives to functions that are typically fueled by gas or electricity. By installing solar panels on our community housing, it derives energy from nature that would otherwise be very costly. Though the initial costs of installation may be expensive, it is sustainable long-term and will pay for itself through cost savings with time. Properly installed solar panels can produce energy for 30 years, with an average 25 year warranty depending on the contractor (Clarke).


 * Though the Canadian climate poses hardships with multiple seasons, solar panels are effective even in winter, so long as they are not covered in snow. According to literature from homes observed in Ottawa, the average amount of useful sunlight received is 3.8 hours per day, producing the same amount in energy output, even accounting for days that have clouds, snow or rain ( **Laurie,2009**). To be most efficient, solar panels should face south. Collecting and converting sunlight to energy reducing energy bills adds to the value of one’s home and reduces an overall carbon footprint by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It is both cost-effective and contributes to a cleaner environment. **


 * According to our research, there are two very effective ways to generate solar energy. Solar photovoltaic and solar heating systems generate electricity and heat water efficiently. This graph provided by Home Depot summarizes the functions of both systems: **

//Table 1.0: //

Recreational activities:


 * Similar to the Amish our neighborhood have a strong emphasis on family and Community Corporation. There will be a general consensus by residents for certain activities that affect the functionality and maintenance of this area. For example, the first week of every month may have a “no electricity” challenge. Some may choose to completely abstain from activities that require electricity, while others may only be able to cut back on certain luxuries, such as cell phones and television. Another example, perhaps each day of the week can present a different challenge where on Mondays residents are encouraged to save water, Tuesdays they can save electricity etc. Certain municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area currently participate in abstinence programs to save water or electricity, such as not watering one’s lawn on a Wednesday. Eventually, this would become routine and become a norm in the community. Incorporating this concept into our community, it will not “punish” those who do not partake, but encourages cooperation that is environmentally responsible advantaging everyone. The community will serve as an example that living a minimalistic lifestyle is possible and functional. Electricity generated by solar energy will reduce our overall carbon footprint. Communication technologies, including Internet and cell phone access will be very limited, if not non-existent for certain individuals. Do-It-Yourself projects will be highly encouraged, as a community that is hands-on and tight-knit. The point is to encourage residents to be resourceful and help one another, so that knowledge of particular skills like cooking, architecture or craftsmanship are practiced and shared. **


 * At the heart of this district will be a convention centre that will run these monthly events and host community gatherings to share new ideas. The community will run like its own municipality, incorporating the opinions of those who reside. The Amish lifestyle is very much based on guilt and obligation that comply with strict religious rules. Our community is completely voluntary and democratic, in that no one is shunned for “breaking” standards that the majority complies with. If they choose not to participate in community activities, they are only taking away from their own social experience. **
 * We have included a communal park and a pond for recreational activities and exercise. There will be an emphasis on activities that do not require electricity such as fishing, swimming, canoeing or biking. Yoga, weight lifting and other holistic practices will be offered at the community centre. **

Farming:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Amish are known to be some of the best farmers in the world. Inspired by their harvesting abilities that consume less energy, our community will be centered on sustainable agriculture. The Amish are firm believers in community co-operation which is an attitude feature for our community as well. The Amish have traditionally maintained a scale of farming that enabled each farm to be worked by a family. For instance, they often use horses to plant and plow their fields instead of tractors and combines. Many Amish also avoid using pesticides. Instead, many Amish famers use manure to fertilize the land and use crop rotation to keep the soil healthy. The Amish demonstrate that depending on modern technology is not necessary, as it can drive up costs of harvesting. It is environmentally beneficial to harvest crops that are derived organically and cost efficient without machinery. A major component of the Amish economy stems from farming, butchering and food preparation, which can also stimulate the economy and create jobs in our community. Because most food is derived from our own land, a large budget is not a necessity for families, as food can be a great expense. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Windmill:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Wind power is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. Wind power is plentiful and renewable and produces no greenhouse gases and not much land is used since they go upwards in a vertical fashion. The cost of wind power per unit of energy made is quite similar to that of coal and gas. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Therefore wind turbine is economically viable for homes and farms; though it strongly depends on the quality of your wind resource. To make it cost effective, annual wind speeds of at least 14.4-16.2 km/h are needed for a small wind turbine. The recommended tower height is 24-37m. the cost of wind turbine is $2000-$8,000/per Kilowatt to purchase a small wind turbine. The cost of the energy produced by small wind turbine over their lifetime has been estimated to vary from $0.07/kWh for low cost turbine constructed in a windy area. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">Though they can be noisy at times they still pose much less of a threat to the environment. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Conclusion:

Ultimately, the goal of this community is to strive for a more sustainable future through the implementation of small changes, in hopes that collectively we can gradually make a greater impact. The idea is that these changes can be adopted by other communities, offering a more simplistic lifestyle that both meet people's needs through more sustainable methods.


 * //__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bibliography __//**

"Buying Guides." //Solar Energy Systems//. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. <http://www.homedepot.ca/know-how/buying-guides/solar-energy-systems>.

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Clarke, S. "Electricity Generation Using Small Wind Turbines at Your Home or Farm." //Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs / Ministère De L'Agriculture, De L'Alimentation Et Des Affaires Rurales//. Sept. 2003. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. <http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/03-047.htm>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[]

Kline, David. "Amish Farming." //Kenyon. Edu//. Web. 09 Mar. 2012. <http://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/farmschool/history/amish.htm>.

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Laurie. "Discussion Take a Look at What Is Being Said about This Article." //14 Quick Ways to Reduce Your Hydro Bill//. Ecoki.com, 24 Mar. 2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2012. <http://ecoki.com/easy-lowering-costs/>.

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"The Role of Amish Food within the Amish Way of Life." //Amish Food//. 2007. Web. 05 Mar. 2012. <http://www.welcome-to-lancaster-county.com/amish-food.html>.

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