The March Hare: Summer '98
Issue 17

One avenue is to use the concept of Pattern Languages. This concept is outlined in a series of books by architect Christopher Alexander including A Timeless Way of Building, A Pattern Language, and The Oregon Experiment. Alexander, working with other architects, planners, and students, developed these works while at the University of Oregon in Eugene with the core "idea that people should design for themselves their houses, streets and communities." They define a system of planning and design which allows organic growth based on underlying principles, often drawn from observance of what has worked well in the past and present for a wide range of human societies.

These books have had a significant influence on my thinking and others at DR and we are considering using these concepts in defining a land use plan for DR. In the last March Hare I offered some patterns defining the broad structure of our landscape and village. Now I will continue with some ideas for components or certain aspects of our village. I would love to hear from anyone who has comments or ideas for other patterns we may wish to incorporate.

Transportation

Network of paths and roads
Patterns of movement should be guided to form small footpaths, larger bike and animal paths, and multi-use roads and streets that are laid out in a network. These paths should allow quick, safe, and direct movement by any means from place to place as well as encouraging interaction by funneling smaller paths into larger ones.

Paths between leaseholds
While people can define private areas on their leasehold they should assume that footpaths may develop between buildings, often along leasehold dividing lines or in collective easements between leaseholds. These footpaths will allow quick movement of people throughout the village and thus the entire village will help in the upkeep of these footpaths.

Green streets
Create paths and streets that are permeable to water and allow some grass to grow in the paths and streets, but are still passable in the wettest of weather. One suggestion for this is to create two parallel paths of paving stones that are the width of a car's axle and allow for grass to grow up between. This can then be a two-way bike, wheelchair, or pedestrian path when vehicles are not present. Smaller paths could be graveled or use paving stones or wood chips.

Bike paths and racks
Since bikes will be one of the main transit methods at DR bike racks should be located at any place where people will want to park their bikes. These would ideally be in a covered area and thus will want to be designed into any building plans.

Vehicle co-op
DR will create a system where vehicles are owned and maintained collectively to provide for a maximum of sharing and a minimum of resource consumption. Individuals and businesses at DR will reserve vehicles and pay for them on a per use basis. Emergency vehicles will be kept available at all times. Specialty vehicles (such as delivery vans) may be earmarked for certain businesses but sharing will be encouraged.