Via Verde, an example of awesome social eco-housing

In 2011 a groundbreaking new green affordable urban housing project was opened by Mayor Bloomberg in the South Bronx. This is not a rich area, and for a long time locals had had to endure worse than average homes, pollution levels and health outcomes. Did you know that in America it has been possible to get a building inspection as a prescription because sorting out the home can be the most efficient way of curing and preventing diseases? The idea behind this project then was to try and create homes that were really healthy by design.

First of all they ensured that all the building products used were healthy and that apartments were designed so as to get cross-flow ventilation from front to back (which also ensured lots of natural light at different times of day). They ensured homes were well insulated and energy efficient and put solar panels on the green roofs (which also help insulate the building and make the roofs last longer) so that long term costs of running the building were kept low. They put in windows by the stairwell to encourage people to climb the stairs and faced a gym opposite the community gardens to encourage both exercise and gardening.

It is often harder to get access to fresh fruit and veg and medical services in poorer areas so here they ensured that the ground floor included a medical centre, a pharmacy, and community facilities that include the gym, a community room, a kitchen, an outdoor kids play area (easy access and safe from the roads), an amphitheatre, orchards and gardens with a community garden club. Within walking distance there is shopping, schools and sportsfields and the subway is just a few blocks away.

To add to the green credentials 80% of the construction and demolition waste was recycled, and 20% of materials were manufactured locally. Rainwater is captured and saved in rooftop storage tanks, and then used to water the rooftop gardens while the bright modern apartments are fitted with water-conserving toilets, showers and sinks.

There are 151 social housing rentals and 71 co-op apartments which sold between $79,000 and $192,000 US. They sold out quickly. Interest in living there has been enormous. The optimisation of the design to have so many community benefits it is estimated to be about 5% on top. Is it worth it - on improving happiness, reducing medical bills and raising life chances? Absolutely yes.