Priustown is a place that uses all existing renewable energy technology combined with optimal planning and design to create a location for human habitation that minimizes the degradation of the environment. It is not a utopia in that it is not a perfect society, but it is progressive in that it endeavors to address some irrationalities that modern American society has allowed to become a “normal” aspect of the places where we live. It is intended to be an example of what we can achieve as a town in terms of environmental stewardshp and as an example for future town planning.

1. The key characteristic is the Hexagonal, Photovoltaic Road Tile for the generation of electricity

a. Replace all roads, driveways and parking lot surfaces with removable hexagonal possibly nanoscale photovoltaic surfaces that generate electricity (most asphalt surfaces get a lot of exposure to the sun)

b. Nanostructured composite materials should be utilized for the new road surfaces and designed with great fracture strength and durability enabling the materials to withstand the weight of the heaviest trucks and construction equipment, and withstand the elements for long periods of time (nanostructured composite materials are smart materials because they are structurally designed for a particular application)

c. The surface should be composed of hexagonal tiles (that can be quickly installed and uninstalled for easy replacement of damaged tiles)

d. The texture of the surface of the road tile will be designed to optimize the friction for that part of the road (more friction for steeper surfaces)

e. Most of the materials that comprise the new surface will be derived from recycled materials such as metals, rubber and glass to create a new demand for all of the recyclables that have been stockpiled

f. None of the materials that compose the new surface will be derived from petroleum

g. All electricity distribution would be buried beneath the new road surface (as well as sewage and water drainage) removing the need for above-ground telephone poles and power lines

h. The electricity would be generated close to the location where it is to be used so there would be relatively little lost in transmission

i. Some of the energy collected from the road will be used to heat the road to a temperature warm enough to keep it free of snow and ice throughout the winter

j. All levels of jobs will be generated for the creation and maintenance of these new road surfaces

k. There will be a gym in the center of town in which all of the equipment (rowing machines, stair masters, stationary bikes, etc.) will be designed to generate electricity. In the event of an energy shortage, residents could help by going to the gym and working out to generate more clean electricity. Some of this specially designed gym equipment could be located in people’s homes.

2. Housing

a. Houses are retrofitted with a combination of solar and geothermal so that they are all off the grid

3. Grass/yards

a. Grass lawns are discouraged

b. Pesticides and herbicides are forbidden

c. No internal combustion engine leaf blowers or lawn mowers are allowed

d. All yards required to have a section dedicated to the composting of kitchen scraps

4. Transportation

a. Bike lanes and pedestrian walkways are widespread and have priority over automobiles

b. Only cars that weigh less than 3,750 pounds and are hybrid or 100% electric are allowed within the towns borders, cars that don’t meet these criteria have to park at the perimeter and take a taxi from there.

5. Shared Amenities

a. The town has four grass fields for playing sports and for recreation, one located in each quadrant of the town

b. The perimeter of each field has electricity generating windmills that also have lighting for the fields and are used as cell phone towers