Encouraging the use of electric cars is a good idea. Limiting energy usage restricts the choice of lifestyle and hence a residents quality of life which ultimately rejects the concept. I am starting to play around with some images now to grasp a better idea of the concept and perhaps allow us to move forward with a balancing lifestyle of choice.

I like the balance idea Mikey. I especially like it as the host of the show to which you refer is called Monty. This means we must trust everything he says because he is not only handsome but also extremely intelligent. I don't feel we need to design in a way that limits energy use. As long as we design in ways which encourages the use of green methods of energy production. So instead of making people walk everywhere we encourage the use of electric cars?? What does everyone think?

Chinese Garden concept

I saw a television program on the ABC where an English guy travelled the world to look at different gardens in many countries. When he went to China he found a very unique garden. It consisted of a courtyard with a small shelter in the middle of it. The shelter was square and had a large open window on each side. If one was to look a window a different element was displayed. Through one window: a large sculptural rock, the next: a tree, the next: water and the last: fire. The effect is that when one sits in the shelter they are equally subjected to different elements of nature and the shelter is a place of balance and harmony. Perhaps this should be incorporated into our concept for quality of life... a balance 

Factors To Consider

It has been shown in studies that "quality" can be a measure of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.
It's hard not to pigeonhole an environment sustainable for only one age/class/agenda/gender.
*Factors of accessibility need to be taken into account for disabled persons, children and the elderly.
*Adaptive reuse of buildings with new uses whilst maintaining historic and cultural ties.
*Ability to 'age in place' of one's home and community independently in a comfortable, safe manner regardless of age, income and ability.
* Enhancing elements of food growth through integration of agricultural urbanism, and preservation of natural resources.
*Amounts of and placement/habitat of machinery, entertainment, animals, vegetation, as well as chemical substance needs to be controlled to cut down on harmful air pollution.


As an aside bicycle friendly areas induce low pollution and increased health. Plenty of footpaths, or if possible walking/cycling tracks in the community via natural scenery could be considered.
Communities generally share common values, cultures and norms arranged around a social structure of relationships developed within the community over time.

Sustainable Design and Social Structure

Public transport availability and regularity is crucial in ensuring energy usage is limited. This can be either through the workings of a light rail, buses or ensuring vast amounts of footpaths, and bike tracks are present.
A well balanced life between work and personal life is another essential element in a quality lifestyle. A business community or hub can easily be developed as a central location (CBD) however, as the RSU students have pointed out, leisure areas such as parks should be close by so easy access is available on lunch breaks, etc. Also, the leisure spaces should be located all over the city/towns. The quality of living extends beyond work life to living with your family and friends. The social structures should not be decided by specific demeanors within each town. As such, relationships between each town should be explored as well.To co-exist within a quality living space, people need to learn to co-exist with each other. Understandably, not everyone is going to get on with each other perfectly, however, with socialising and interaction between the communities, a balance can occur.

Balance

I think the town should be arranged in a delicate equilibrium between natural and built environments, incorporating zones for home, leisure, work and green space. If this is created well, a high quality of life will prevail. 

An aesthetic example can be as simple as reducing vandalism and graffiti to increase local resisdents wellbeing, whereas a psycological example may be planting trees, garden beds and "green walls" to reduce the need/urge for people to commit criminal offence...(likewise there is an association with "green landscapes" to physically improve oxygen levels, reduce greenhouse gases etc