Union Joins National Voices on Climate-Forward Urbanism
Principal Joe Haskett represents UNION alongside national leaders in sustainable urbanism, helping to advance a more equitable and climate-forward built environment.
Joe joined Doug Farr of Farr Associates and Julie Klump of POAH for a recent CNU33 session entitled “Decarbonization for New Urbanists: Enhancing the Inherent Environmental Advantages of Traditional Urbanism.” The panel explored how traditional urban design – characterized by compact building forms, human-scaled streets, and balanced wall-to-window ratios – naturally supports high-performance, low-carbon strategies such as Passive House. Together, these principles provide a cohesive framework for designing buildings and communities that are inherently more efficient, resilient, and climate conscious.
Drawing on UNION’s work in all-electric affordable housing, Joe shared how emissions can be significantly reduced without compromising comfort or affordability. He emphasized the importance of airtight envelopes and thoughtful system sequencing, while also noting the need to consider embodied carbon through smart material selection and efficient construction practices. His core message: Passive House isn’t rocket science – it’s the result of precise detailing, early coordination, and a committed, well-aligned team.
By aligning traditional urban design principles with advanced building performance strategies, we can create places that are not only beautiful and enduring – but that also contribute meaningfully to a lower-carbon future.
