http://realestate.about.com/od/realestateinvesting/qt/urban_parkland.htm

Trend Toward More Urban Green Space and Real Estate Investing

Reduced Supply with Increased Demand is the Story in Many Areas

By James Kimmons, About.com

The news is full of stories of land conversions in urban areas. Old land fills, government facilities and other large tracts are desired by developers, but local government is increasingly grabbing it for the creation of green spaces, parks and other community use.

With environmental concerns growing, groups pushing for more green areas are growing as well. After all, who would argue with a new park near the city center, with trees, lakes and all those outdoor recreational activities we value? Perhaps a real estate developer would argue otherwise, but the pressures against them are huge.

The influence of “supply versus demand” is in play in these situations as regards real estate values. It’s more than just the fact that there is less land available on which to build.

• Values of property around these park areas will rise at an above normal pace.
• Improving the quality of life in an urban area can stimulate significant growth and yet more development.

Real estate investors will benefit by keeping abreast of these type of land conversions. It’s not about trying to buy into a quick profit, but more a long term approach to buying into area growth and appreciation.

http://realestate.about.com/od/realestateinvesting/qt/urban_parkland.htm

Cappuccino Art

 

The Cookshow Factory

I am starting an events production project called “The Cookshow Factory” that will be based around fresh ingredients and the art of cooking along with beverage pairings. The point is to focus on cooking well, eating well, living well, and looking well. Savor the colors. Savor the flavors. Buon Appetito.

Water Droplet Resort

source: Inhabitat.com

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/06/10/water-building-resort-will-convert-air-into-purified-water/#more-32838

Water Droplet Resort Will Convert Air Into Purified Water

by Alexandra Kain (June 10, 2009)

Architecturally and thematically designed in the shape of a drop of water, the Water Building Resort intends to become the first building ever to convert air into water with the help of solar power. What sounds like magic will be achieved with the following combination of nature and technology: A sunny, southerly facing facade made of photovoltaic glass will harness solar energy, allowing light to pass through. The northern facade features a latticed design for ventilation as well as unprecedented Teex Micron equipment that will convert humid air and condensation into pure drinking water.

 

Designed for construction in warm and humid coasts, the Water Building Resort, a resort complex, will also house a water treatment facility in the bottom floor, for purifying salty sea and rain water, along with a center of technological investigation to control and certify water quality. Restaurants, gyms, exhibition halls, hotel and conference rooms, and spa services will fill the upper floors – all based on the theme of water, the environment and renewable energy. An underwater aquarium will sit at the base of the Water Building Resort, rounding out the water conscious theme and practices.

The Fight To Outlast Your Neighbors

In other words, you’ll have less chances of dying from manmade and/or natural disasters before your time is up.

“We live in a closed biosphere, we only have one planet and we need it to live. Despite what commercials say, going green isn’t about buying the latest gadget or bamboo linens, it is about making choices that are sustainable. We need to reduce pollution, we are running out of clean drinkable water, our air is making us sicker and the amount of land where we can grow food is shrinking. We need to find new energy sources, oil or petoleum is highly polluting and will run out, before it does we will fight wars for control of it if we are still dependant on it. We need to conserve resources for 2 reasons, we rely on many of them to survive, like trees, not only for shelter, but to create oxygen, and the other is we are running out of places to bury the waste. We have new landfills being built every year and we are limited on where they can go. On the East coast where the population is more dense many states have 2 options, burn it and contribute to more air pollution or ship it to another state and pay a lot more for waste removal. 

Another area to consider is our food, more of it is manufactured instead of grown, all these empty calories are killing us. We have a huge increase in obesity and all the diseases that go with it. For the 1st time in history our children have a shorter life expectancy than we do. Not to mention the amount we waste and the worldwide impact of our eating habits, all the rain forest being clear cut to make way for our crops when we have the resources to grow the food here. I eat a local, organic diet to have a healthier more nutritious lifestyle, reduce the transportation effects of my food as well as support my local economy.”