Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The 'New Urbanism' or 'Urban Village' concepts are also popular in the Pacific
Northwest, and emphasize compact, walkable communities that cut down the need to
drive everywhere for work, schools and shopping. These inner-city neighborhoods also
facilitate a strong community feel to bring people together, a trait that has been lost in
this era of modernism and urban sprawl.
Seattle, Portland and Vancouver are some of the top cities embracing the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system for 'green' buildings.
These buildings use safe, sustainable building materials and incorporate water- and
energy-efficient systems. Local examples include Seattle's Justice Center and Hyatt
Hotel at Olive 8, Portland's Ecotrust building and Avalon Hotel & Spa, and Vancouver's
Port Authority. Also keep an eye out for eco-roofs, which are covered with soil and liv-
ing plants. These green (literally!) roofs absorb and filter rainwater, provide insulation,
create wildlife habitats and lower surrounding air temperatures - and look ubercool to
boot.
DON'T DAM THE SALMON
Salmon depend on cold, clear waters during the early stages of their development.
Unfortunately, logging (which creates erosion above rivers and streams) and global
warming are two strikes against them. A third is dams - and the Pacific Northwest
has lots of them.
Dams hurt young salmon because they slow down water, which increases its
temperature and the travel time for fish to get to the ocean. Many fish are also
killed by hydroelectric turbines. And on the way back - going upstream - adult sal-
mon have a hard time getting through dams, even with fish ladders to help them.
But things are slowly changing. Dams have been taken down on many rivers
throughout the Pacific Northwest, and more are slated for removal. Even though
some of these barriers aren't huge - at times they're only a few feet high - every
dam bit (removed) helps when you're a fish fighting your way upstream.
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