The PeakOilNYC Relocalization Project includes an investigation of ways to make suburban communities and small towns more sustainable. Those who prefer the lower population density lifestyle must learn how to make their homess more energy efficient, work to provide for local low energy transportation systems, support and perhaps operate local businesses and manufacturing, and efficiently utilize all available space for the local production of food. The starting point for Suburban Retrofitting research has to be a valid set of questions, which we have listed below. These questions are not all-inclusive, and we will add to them as various issues are brought to out attention. It is our goal to list the results as part of the Relocalization Knowledge Base.

Basic Questions for Suburban Retrofitting:

1. What are the best ways to prepare individual homes for a low-energy (post-carbon) world?
2. What are the best sources of home heating fuels (answers will probably differ depending upon the selected region)?
3. Where are reasonable locations for gardens? (lawns and yards, city parks, formerly paved areas, etc.)
4. What types of local businesses will be needed?
5. What sort of manufacturing is possible in a low-energy world?
6. What is the best way to handle the problem of human waste? (needed all over)
7. How will the suburban city/small town stay connected to supplies of clean water? What are the viable methods for collecting water within the individual residences?
8. What are the best methods for generating electricity "off the grid"?
9. Other than electric rails, bicycles, and walking, are there any other viable modes of transportation?
10. What will be the role of bio-fuels for small town environments?