Sustainable Solutions
* Cultural and Environmental Impact
Proximity of development to Taos Pueblo leading to potential disruptions to the cultural heritage and natural landscape of the Tiwa People. Consultations with the Taos Pueblo regarding the development, its designs and systems and general concept must occur.
East View Shed from the Taos Pueblo
Solution: The Pangea Community Development is designed to foster a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with the neighboring Taos Pueblo, integrating key initiatives that celebrate and preserve Tiwa culture while supporting the Pueblo’s economic and social well-being.
Central to the development is a Cultural Arts and Community Center, envisioned as an “embassy” for the Tiwa people, providing a dedicated space for cultural exchange, artistic expression, and education about Pueblo traditions. Revenue-sharing initiatives ensure that the economic benefits from tourism, cultural experiences, and eco-tourism programs directly support the Taos Pueblo community, with a portion specifically allocated to fund affordable housing on the Pueblo, addressing critical housing needs.
Additionally, a share of the food produced in the Earthship Walipinis is dedicated to the Taos Pueblo, enhancing food security and providing fresh, organic produce.
Partnerships with local artisans and entrepreneurs from the Pueblo further create opportunities for showcasing traditional crafts and skills, strengthening cultural preservation while fostering sustainable economic growth.
This collaboration underscores the development’s commitment to honoring the land and its people through innovative, inclusive, and culturally respectful design.
* Scale and Density: Must Not be disproportionate to the existing rural character of the area and cannot set a precedent for further large-scale developments.
* Traffic and Infrastructure Strain: The influx of new residents and businesses must not inappropriately increase traffic and place too much strain on existing infrastructure.
Solution: Pangea Community Development: 111 +/- buildings total. Residential: (83 buildings) / Commerical: (28 buildings). Setting an example and benchmark of what Taos will accept for all future development.
* Water Resource Management: Concern for substantial water demands, particularly in a region where water scarcity is a pressing issue. Fear of depleting local aquifers and negatively impacting the Taos Valley watershed.
Solution: Water resource management in the Pangea Community Development focuses on sustainability and collaboration with Taos Pueblo. The primary water source is rainwater harvesting systems, supplemented by water from the Pueblo for regular use. Fewer than three wells are planned within the development for emergency purposes only, minimizing groundwater extraction and ensuring a resilient, environmentally friendly approach to water use.
* Waste Water Management: Development’s ability to handle wastewater sustainably. fear of large-scale wastewater systems leading to contamination of nearby water sources and posing long-term risks to the region’s ecosystem. Alternatives, such as decentralized or closed-loop systems, must be adequately emphasized.
Solution: Wastewater management in the Pangea Community Development uses greywater planters septic systems and blackwater botanical planters to treat waste water sustainably. Treated ‘clean greywater’ is reused for irrigation and non-potable needs, creating a closed-loop and regenerative system that conserves resources and minimizes environmental impact.
