A goal of sustainable communities is to integrate the use of local building materials as well as local building sources and practices. The embodied energy of materials factors in costs related to the transport and distribution of building materials which, in some cases, is global - and costly. Recognizing the continuation of traditional / local building techniques with regional resources helps to foster local economies and can contribute significantly to creating a sense of place. Local materials such as stone, clay (brick), wood can be used in most forms of smaller scale (residential) construction. These materials are labour-intensive rather than energy-intensive and can reduce the life-cycle costs of a building. A decentralized construction industry could help to recognize and to facilitate the use of local building materials and practices.

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PART OF SUSTAINABLE  COMMUNITY DESIGN