Webby

Hi John... This particular project is in Costa Rica and the "eco" element really arises out of the existing environment which happens to be very rich in wildlife, plant life (very rich rainforest area) and in the ocean frontage with is around two miles long and a mixture of beaches and more rocky shores. The area is apparently rated by experts and the folks from National Geographic as being almost unique on the whole of the Pacific rim. Hence the interest in retaining that environment and keeping it self-sustainable.

The overall project will prob end up with around 200 - 300 max homes, but plotted out to a low density to avoid messing with the environment. We will be doing almost all infrastucture - stuff like roads, lodge, restaurant facilities, clubhouse, stores, spa and facilities for eco-tourism (hotel/lodge stuff).

The planning for the underlying element - the eco and sustainabilty side - is that all power be self-generated (there are several main options and a couple of backups on this) and the water supply would be from the land itself (it has more underground mineral water than we'd ever want).

There are many side-benefits from the eco side (I'm no expert in this field, so we have a couple of internationally-known experts advising and willing to get their hands dirty) - an example is we can grow almost anything - from rice to organic fruit and veg. The "experts" have plans for several hectares of organic farming using hydroponics. Bottom line - it means we can service the community with fresh produce and low cost. Architects have suggested anyone can have their own "hydroponic garden" as an incorporated feature of their homes, where they can grow local fruits (melon, mango etc) - this may just be little more than "show value", but means an engineer would already be on-site to make sure it all operated well.

A considerable amount of the eco-presevation and eco-tourism side is being funded by various international orgs who have an interest in the area and also in any sustainable propositions we may put to them.

We have been very lucky in support/involvement from both experienced individuals, international orgs and several educational establishments. One educational institution is the Earth University where they already have many of the elements we would like on their own campus. Their whole operation is a "working model" in sustainability - they don't rely on any national grid resources and operate around 4000 hectares of farming facility and export the final product to other countries - at a profit

We are fortunate in having a couple of their project leaders working with us and also a few folks who are the "cream" in "how the world should feed itself" - one guy just finished a test in the middle of the desert growing veg and his model has been adopted by the UN (he also got some awards for this).

There is a lot to say on this - it's a ongoing education for me and can be mindblowing But bottom line - it's all about quality lifestyle and sustainability within a rich environment/community.

If this kinda stuff is of interest - just let me know. Apparently the degree to which we are heading on this is kinda unique - one professor who knows this stuff was saying there is nothing as complete as this proposition anywhere - so hell, we may have a "first". We will have a website up when the masterplan is finished (prob year end/early next year) and with a lot more info.


PS Just gimme a nice place to have breakfast and some cable/satellite gear functioning and a club/bar to look over the sunset in the evening and I'm a happy lad

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XXX TLD's - Another mosquito to swat.