‘A community is not a collection of buildings, it is the people who live there.’
Question: What do modern communities need?
- Affordable housing
- Secure and safe environs
- Jobs and employment opportunities
- Good connectivity and communication including roads and public transport
- Flexibility to adapt and expand homes according to changing circumstances
- Leisure facilities, parks and clean open spaces
- Community infrastructure – schools, places of worship, community centres, light commercial units/shops
- Sense of community with local representatives responsible for solving issues
40%
Installed global renewable capacity
85%
Smart home energy saving
90%
Household water a Bermudan roof captures
500%
Excess renewable energy an
eco-village can produce
Wots Hot®Energy understands that community design is every bit as important as the mechanics of town planning. Without a sense of identity and the infrastructure built around that goal, new developments face an uphill struggle to be accepted by investors and potential residents. By demonstrating our grasp of these principles from the beginning, we assure the success of our projects.
Affordable Housing
Our house designs start at US$100,000 (sale price) for 2-bed detached units. Specific costs will depend on the region however we endeavour to make our housing and communities cost effective and ‘affordable’.
Safety and Security
Creating cul-de-sacs and safe driving zones encourages families to move to our Eco-Communities. Introducing a policy of reduced-cost housing for police and security services accelerates the sense of a safe community which in turn boosts sales and speeds up community development. Gated communities can also be considered although this is not always a panacea and the pros and cons of ‘living behind a wall’ must be evaluated on a case by case basis. Adequate street lighting with community CCTV and utility pole communication hubs powered by renewable energy fosters a sense of security day and night.
Jobs and Employment
Locating our Eco-Communities close to existing population centres, local industry and areas zoned for further development brings jobs today and the assurance of continuing employment tomorrow. Utilising sustainable development techniques before during and after construction provides opportunities in wider industries created by the Eco-Community itself.
For example a current Wots Hot®Energy development is being built on large limestone deposits. Through the excavation of land to create level housing (cutting and filling) and foundations for buildings, the ‘waste’ limestone and marl can be used for road substrates, footings, or value-added industries, thus creating employment and business opportunities from a problem. It just takes a little lateral thinking, which we always take the time to do.
Connectivity
Modern communities require good data and communication systems, as well as roads and (public) transport links. Before people move to a new development they think carefully about the future and how their family and community can grow together. It is essential therefore to consider very carefully from the earliest stages of town planning how residents will connect with the world.
Adapting and Extending
Communities will often necessarily have covenants and guidelines regarding building heights, proximity to borders, oversight and other considerations. Integral to all Wots Hot®Energy developments are various solutions for those wishing to adapt or extend their homes. We know how important it is for a homeowner to feel as free as possible to shape their home to suit their needs sometimes over many decades, and we design our Eco-Houses and Eco-Communities with this in mind.
Parks and Leisure Facilities
Recreational spaces both indoor and outdoor are important considerations in any community. With clever planning a sense of space and being close to nature can be designed into public zones through imaginative landscaping. Community leisure facilities, whether play areas in local parks, public use halls, accessible gymnasia and fitness equipment or more business oriented areas such as bars, clubs, theatres etc. are all part of this equation.
Community Infrastructure
Families think deeply about where their children will go to school and safe travel to and from educational and recreational facilities. The elderly prioritise proximity to medical facilities and social gatherings. Places of worship can be of particular importance. Shops and light commercial units offer opportunities for local employment as well as a convenient place to buy groceries, visit beauty salons, health centres or to meet friends for coffee or a snack. These should all be considered at the planning stage and if not built at the outset, then plans made to accommodate them later in the life of the development.
Community Spirit
New developments can have teething troubles such as construction noise, refining waste treatment procedures, occasional interruptions of services and utilities. It is very important to let potential residents know from their first visit that named representatives will be on hand to answer and deal with any issues which may arise during their settling-in period. Later, local representatives can take over designated ongoing roles within each community and this process can be rolled out in a smooth and organised manner when the developer has considered this from ‘day one’ and has a clear plan of action to follow. Residents having a say in the running of their community fosters a sense of ownership and improves quality of life.
For more information on how Wots Hot®Energy brings community design into your developments contact us here.
Strength – Security – Quality