Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: The University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) and the Genesee County Land Bank (Land Bank) partnered to establish the Urban Alternatives House (UAH) at 924 Eddy Street in Flint's Central Park Neighborhood.It is home to two incomequalified, two-bedroom residential units and a classroom space for UM-Flint.The UAH location allows students at UM-Flint to walk to class.The renovated house maximizes energy efficiency and introduces sustainable, innovative ways to manage energy and water use.Specific features include ground source heat pumps (sometimes called a geothermal system) for heating and cooling, solar panels, additional insulation to create a tight house envelope, and on-demand water heating.A food garden on the adjacent lot encourages more active and healthy living.The food garden is supported by a rainwater collection system, and stormwater is managed on site by two rain gardens.All of the features at the UAH provide a learning tool for the UM-Flint, the Land Bank, and the Flint community.The UAH is certified Platinum in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes rating system and contributes to the sustainability of a walkable urban neighborhood.
Authors: Richard Hill-Rowley, Garry Green
Institution: University of Michigan–Flint
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W1997854166