Suggested Citation:
Wheeler, Stephen M. and Robert B. Segar (2012) West Village: Development of a New Ecological Neighborhood in Davis, California. Planning Theory & Practice 13 (1), 145 - 156

In this case study we present the example of West Village in Davis, California, a new ecological neighborhood for 4,200 students, faculty, and staff of the University of California, Davis. With its first phase opened in August 2011, the project includes housing, commercial space, recreational facilities, and a new community college center on 130 acres (53 hectares). We analyze this neighborhood’s decade-long planning process and factors facilitating its development. West Village shows that district-scale net-zero electricity development is indeed possible in the USA, although it helps to have a strong institutional sponsor and progressive planning environment.

Keywords: West Village, ecodistrict, ecological neighborhood, zero net energy, zero net electricity, sustainable development