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Mission
Our mission is to repair the fabric of cities,
towns and villages, while preserving the land around them.
To do this, we plan and develop diverse, mixed-use, transit-accessible,
mixed-income communities or components focused on nodes of
transportation. At the same time, we develop plans to preserve
surrounding farms and open spaces. The result is equitable, and
supports the cultural, environmental and biological health of the
bioregions we work in.
The inspiration for our mission comes from examples like the following:
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A Himalayan Village is a dense, mixed-use, sustainable
community with a
clearly defined edge, drawing sustenance from the surrounding farmland.
The village is entirely integrated into the ecosystem. There is no
waste. Everything is used. This valley is more biodiverse than its
unsettled neighbor, which demonstrates that people can improve the
environment (not just degrade it).
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Acoma, New Mexico is an extraordinary Pueblo Indian village.
In it,
we see the classic pattern of urban culture. Like villages in the
Himalayas, Pueblo villages have a clear edge and are surrounded by
fields of sustenance. The community is organized in a progression of
spaces from the private realm, to the semi-private, to the most public
reality, the plaza, or town square. Culture after culture, each with
different ecosystems, have built their communities this way. We believe
this is the natural form for human communities.
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The town square of Prague is a vibrant and inspiring urban
town center, where
music and markets, churches and cappuccino, apartments, stores and
stories come together. The town square is a center of spirit and of
commerce.
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The New Haven Town green, like many New England town squares,
represents
the values of the people who settled America. On the square, there are
four buildings which represent four principles; The town hall
represents government, the library represents knowledge, the courthouse
represents justice, and the church, spirit. The town square represents
community enriched by the four principles.
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Housing encroaching on Farm: Farms and the food that they
grow are essential
components of our landscape, our culture and our economy. Are we
putting our future food resources at risk by over developing farmland?
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