Do you know what sustainable development means? Sustainable development is real estate development which is often heavily reliant on solar energy and other renewable energy sources (such as wind energy), while limiting reliance on local resources and potable water supplies. Sustainable development often utilizes the least amount of natural resources and increases reliance on recycling, when possible.

Civano is a great example of a community that consisting of bot residential housing as well as commercial development that utilizes sustainable development techniques. In fact, it is probably the best known, most highly publicized example in this country.

Civano is located in Tucson, Arizona. It was originally conceived as a solar village, and was an outgrowth of growing builder and consumer interest in solar designs. Civano is located in a desert setting, thus making solar reliance particularly appealing.

The initiative first took hold in 1986, with seed money from then Governor Bruce Babbitt. Interest faded for a while but in 1989 the U.S. Department of Energy provided the County with an additional $69 thousand to retain a project manager.

Since then, the City of Tucson has been actively planning and building this new, truly revolutionary community. In 1996, armed with years of planning history, actual construction started, thereby transforming all of the innovative thinking into reality.

Civano consists of 1,132 acres. It contains 2,600 homes and 30 percent of the property is dedicated to open space preservation. Another 10% is developed open space. So, 40% of Civano is green. There are recreation areas, commercial zones and, of course, numerous community gardens.

Civano offers 17 model home types, all of which meet the highest energy conservation requirements. Various building materials are used including Adobe, structurally insulated panels and wood framing with energy efficient detail.

Last year, President Clinton announced that Civano was part of a federal pilot program promoting advanced technologies in housing. Construction techniques and designs are geared towards reducing consumption of energy resources and maximizing energy-efficient savings. The community is seeking to reduce potable water consumption, automobile use, and hopes to provide jobs for 50% of the households.

According to published reports, average sale prices fall within $85 thousand to $160 thousand. Twenty percent of the units are targeted for low and moderate-income families.

The American Lung Association features two Health House demonstration residences in Civano. The Health House project is a national consumer education project designed to change the way in which homes are built, making them healthier and more energy and resource efficient.

The two showcase homes demonstrate products and building materials that work together to enhance indoor air quality while raising standards of performance. These materials are used for heating, air conditioning, air filtration, foundations, solar use, as well as cleaning and maintenance.

While there have been other similar proto-type communities in the United States, Civano seems to have gained more recognition than many others. Additional information about Civano can be found at www.civano.com. In this innovative 21st century field there have been countless talkers. Civano is different because it really exists and works.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.