BUS9700 — Sustainable Business

Yuri  Polykavov visited Instructor Bocian’s Business Sustainability 9700 class to discuss the evaluation of a sustainability project — Babcock Ranch.

Babcock Ranch is a sustainable residential and commercial development in southwest Florida.

Babcock’s sustainability features as described by developer:

• Self sufficient electrical capacity.   Babcock Ranch will generate electricity from a 75W photovoltaic field.  This will provide electricity for all of the development’s residential and commercial activities, and electric cars.

• Clean tech incubator:   Area will attract like-minded companies and develop business synergies that will be beneficial for companies.

Bus 9700 critique of plan & questions:

• Water  —  where does the water come from to maintain lawns and landscaping?

• Construction materials  — LEED certified? What level?

• Tie-in to Fort Meyers:  How can Ft Meyers, the nearest city, benefit from Babcock Ranch?  Sustainability gains are driven by links and integration.  Instead of creating stand-alone developments, how might this development contribute to sustainability in the surrounding area?

• Density calculation/comment (Kelcey):

General Sustainability Points:

• Florida has existing properties:  The state has one of the higher residential foreclosure rates in the U.S.  Converted buildings are more sustainable than new buildings because the carbon footprint for the materials has already been made.  Does Florida need another development?  Are there more creative ways to preserve Florida’s tax base while preserving the Babcock parcel?