A group of more than 70 students, university area residents and University Area Commission members are working on a plan to improve the environment of the University District.
The project, called the "University Area Neighborhood Green Plan," was jump started in December when members of the UAC drafted a list of their major concerns for the neighborhood.
Ian MacConnell, president of the UAC, said four topics were highlighted: development, transportation, natural resources and recycling.
Two public meetings were held at the end of January to brainstorm ways to improve these four aspects of the area.
"We wanted to start the conversation about our plan, determine resources available to reach these goals and inform people about what they can do," MacConnell said.
Elan Daniel, chair of the planning committee, said he is currently reviewing the proposals from the meetings. Once finished, the committee will submit a formal proposal to City Council.
Daniel was not ready to disclose information on many of the proposals but mentioned one student idea he said is currently the No. 2 item on his list.
"We're trying to find ways for bars to recycle," he said. "The student had the idea of a bar recycling program. A lot of their waste goes straight into the trash."
Daniel said he hopes to have a draft of the proposals for the committee to review by June and one to give to City Council by fall.
"We prioritized and found community partners who might be successful in making this happen," he said. "This is more of an action plan."
MacConnell also spoke about the concept of peak oil, which is the idea that oil is a finite commodity and the demand is higher than the supply.
"The supply is not what it used to be," he said.
MacConnell said it's important to talk about ways to conserve energy by using alternative forms of energy, such as solar and wind.
He said one student came up with an idea of constructing solar-paneled car ports to cover parking lots. The panels would collect the sun's rays and conserve energy at the same time.
"A lot of brilliant people come to school here. This is one way to harness those creative ideas," MacConnell said.
MacConnell, who lives in the University District, said the student participation made him enthusiastic about the future of the area. "This project shows that when young people in higher education work with long-term residents it can have a wonderful effect on our neighborhood."
Patrick Sullivan can be reached at sullivan.371@osu.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Keith Morris
posted 2/19/08 @ 11:21 AM EST
Wow, that oil is finite is merely an idea? What's the alternative then, the idea that it's infinite in supply? People would deny this, but their lifestyle demonstrates that they don't understand the fact that oil is not anywhere close to infinite. (Continued…)
E
posted 2/20/08 @ 12:42 PM EST
Right on, Keith. People don't really have a clue about the transformation that will be forced upon us in the next couple of decades as the oil supply diminishes. (Continued…)
Post a Comment