This 17-minute DVD, narrated by Bill Kurtis, introduces a vision for sustainable urban design as well as a plan and tools for how to get there.

Developed in connection with the U.S. entry to the International Competition for Sustainable Urban Systems Design,* the holistic design for the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Region is a comprehensive regional approach to sustainability that integrates all urban infrastructure technologies with energy efficient and ecologically sound land use development. Five principal goals guided the formulation of the design: the sustainable use of energy resources; ecological urban form and function; community-based resources management; land use optimization; and social and economic parity.

The design controls urban sprawl by limiting growth to existing urbanized areas and selected undeveloped areas. It directs development and redevelopment away from environmentally sensitive lands and towards 60 targeted settlements in 4 geographic zones across the region. Each zone contains several primary and secondary city centers surrounded by clusters of village centers and neighborhood communities. Supporting each of these communities is an integrated energy, environmental and transportation technology center and a micro-grid controlling the multidirectional flow of energy and water resources among all buildings and uses in the neighborhood.

The design harnesses regionally abundant renewable energy and water resources, emergent technologies and hyper-efficient net-zero energy building construction and management practices. It eliminates air emissions almost entirely by a ubiquitous and efficient mass transit system and a personal mobility technology and network. Similarly, it proposes a dramatic reduction of solid waste materials through sustainable manufacturing and reuse practices. Socially and institutionally, the design integrates interdependent economies and governmental initiatives to create and sustain a more equitable community and improved quality of life for all.

*The full text of the official U.S. entry to the International Competition for Sustainable Urban Systems Design can found in the document entitled "Model for Sustainable Urban Design" located in the publications area of this website.