Clean Tech Eco City Trying To Rise In Alberta, Canada

2010-01-20 from:earthTechling author:Nino Marchetti

Plans are said to be afoot in Canada¡¯s Alberta province to build what is being described as North America¡¯s ¡°largest clean technology city and ecological community.¡± This monumental project, to be built on around 330 acres of land, will be located west of North Ridge in the City of St. Albert and, according to owner Rampart Avenir Communities, will ¡°act as a large-scale testing platform for new clean technologies.¡±

This new eco-city, reports the Edmonton Journal, has a projected cost of around $1.8 billion Canadian and is expected to house thousands of residents. It is the result of a partnership between Rampart and ¡°Edmonton-based Melcor Developments, U.S.-based EnerTech Capital and the National Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Alberta.¡± It is said the project will encompass ¡°residential developments, technological and R&D businesses, industry facilities, an educational campus, recreational parks, and agricultural areas.¡±

Rampart envisions that the project, currently still in its concept and approval stages, will be seen as being attractive to a mix of clean tech developers who want a focused market and support resources to try out their ideas in and green-minded residents who will be up for living among and using cutting edge eco-tech. Particular areas of clean tech focus will include local energy production and conservation, water recovery and reuse, and community food production. One example of this reportedly will be nanotechnology which could allow scientists to ¡°harness usable energy from minute sources, such as vibrations in walls and paint on solar panels.¡± If this project, projected to take in its first residents some time next year, is successful it could be used as a model for other eco-cities throughout North America and Europe.