2010-02-09

Let's Make Better Use of our Space and our Stuff

"Our beds are empty two-thirds of the time. Our living rooms are empty seven-eighths of the time. Our office buildings are empty one-half of the time. It's time we gave this some thought."

This interesting opinion piece from the New York Times begins by reminding us of those words spoken by R. Buckminster Fuller 40 years ago. The editorial examines how we can better use space in our cities and how new data visualization technologies can help us find ways to revitalize unused paved alleys and industrial sites into public green space. It's all pretty geeky stuff but what it comes down to is the simple fact that we don't currently make the best use of our space. We overbuild giant buildings that barely get used and we leave large expanses of unused concrete. We build without a sense of the larger picture. How can we get the most value out of the space we are using? How can we apply a more sustainable approach to development?

Speaking of space, do you know how much self-storage space we use in America? According to the self-storage association, we have 2.35 billion square feet of self-storage space in this country. That is 7.4 square feet of storage space for every American man, woman and child.

All that stored stuff holds hidden value - monetary value and social value.

We can all agree that transforming unused blocks of pavement into green space and finding ways to use empty office buildings would help us be more sustainable. Ideas like this also make for stronger communities by creating more communal space and opportunities for gathering. The stuff we own has this same potential.

If instead of using a power drill once or twice a year and then storing it in a closet, we instead make that power drill available to our neighbors, we are getting more of the value out of that power drill. Now instead of purchasing 10 power drills, our block only needs one. That is more economically and ecologically sustainable. Sharing that power drill also gives us a chance to connect to each other. We can share stories about how we used the power drill or maybe even help each other with a household project. The power drill has the potential to help us strengthen our local community. How many things do you own that have that same potential? Take a look around your house and think about what you're not using today. Could someone else use it?

As a society, we have spent the last several decades working more hours to buy more stuff and then building barricades against our neighbors to protect that stuff. If we can lower those barricades just a little, we can create a more economically and ecologically sustainable system where the potential value is extracted from the stuff we produce and buy. So go on, get that stuff out of storage and into your community. What can you add to your NeighborGoods inventory today?