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Spotted an unusually small work van on my way to Wurster Hall yesterday. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a small “electric” sticker on the front windshield of the van. I had a hunch the electric vehicle (EV) was probably part of a broader campus-wide measure to improve the energy-efficiency of its transport fleet, so I looked up Cal’s Climate Action Partnership (Cal CAP). Indeed, one of the many emission reduction projects cited within the Emissions Reductions Options was a call to expand electric vehicle use.
Definitely neat to see what probably started as a line in a policy document implemented in real-life. The decision to bring this teeny, tiny electric to campus likely required many, many meetings, research and layers of decision-making. Have you run across any real examples of policy being implemented from CAPs on campus or in Berkeley the past week?
-Karen Johnson
To all involved, Thank you for pioneering this blog and setting it up for us. I hope we can use it as a tool to advance our discussions and observations outside the classroom. I really appreciate that epic introduction, Fernando!
ReplyDeleteI have noticed how walkable Berkeley's campus is in general, and while it may not be the result of any recent initiatives, I really appreciate the well planned network of walkways, older trees, daylighted creeks (or perhaps never piped at all). It is such an enjoyable campus to get around, as I can walk all over the place and never have to worry about cars. As a citizen of an automo-centric traffic city, the difference is huge.
Andrew
ReplyDeleteYou are correct about the wonderful walkable aspects of the Berkeley campus plan. There is a long history of university campus plans in the history of American Place-making. Consider Jefferson's plan for the University of Virginia as well as others which have come after to influence the concept of the "university town".
Check out this interesting link containing more info on the campus http://www.cp.berkeley.edu/lhp/significance/history.html.
I also enjoy the legibility of the campus. The plan's capacity to give you a sense of place or direction by using landmarks such as the Campanile. The manner in which the grid of the city fuses into the Campus Plan's buildings also offers interesting lessons.
Looking forward to more observations.
Fernando
Fernando, thanks for highlighting the "university town" concept. Since exploring University Avenue for my urban analytique, I've also become intrigued by the architectural buffers (landscaping, benches, trash cans, etc.) along the fringe of campus. I wonder if there are examples of campuses that are more closely integrated with the surrounding landscape or is the design of these architectural buffers purposeful?
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