EDRA Sacramento

(photo by Patrick Dirden, used under creative commons)
This week I attended the Environmental Design Research Association Conference in beautiful Sacramento. EDRA is a professional organization for anyone who works to improve the physical environment for people. At the meeting architects, planners, interior designers and researchers discuss how to make the places we live, work, and play more comfortable and sustainable. Thursday morning Sim Van der Ryn spoke about creating a culture of sustainability, which will involve not only changing our physical environment, but also basic modes of thinking. (To hear Sim speak for yourself, listen to his podcast on The Pattern that Connects.)

I also heard about healing gardens for hospitals and redesigning schools to both fit LEED standards and the needs of teachers and kids. Several presenters discussed the trade offs involved in choosing where to live, particularly for families with children. Many parents choose to live in the country because they want their kids to have time around nature and to keep their families safe from crime. Unfortunately, this often results in increased auto dependency. Families find themselves spending their days shuttling kids to and from their various activities. Kids may spend two or more hours a day in the car, rather than outside playing.

Since there were so many concurrent sessions I missed a number interesting talks, for example, a panel on how to make green houses affordable and a whole series of panels on enhancing workplace environments through design. Luckily, next year's EDRA will take place in beautiful Veracruz Mexico, which will surely attract many presenters and attendees.