CEDAR RAPIDS - Could Cedar Rapids sustain itself in food and energy? That's what about 100 people pondered at the first ever conference put on by the group, Sustainable Ecological Economic Development.

If you know anything about sustainable living, you've probably heard of one of the conference’s speakers. Phil Hawes was the chief architect of Biosphere 2, the completely sustainable glass dome in Arizona. It spanned three acres and sealed in 3,800 animal species with eight people for two years.

Hawes says, "It's a community that's in balance with the environment and with nature."

The success of that project prompted Hawes to push forward with the idea and work toward creating the world's first ever eco-village. In about seven years and $800-million later, this revolutionary community will house 5,000 people about a mile west of Amarillo, Texas.

Hawes says, "Our plan, as a company, is to build these biomes in as many eco-villages as we can."

Part of the reason for having this conference in the New Bohemia District of Cedar Rapids was to show how already existing cities can transform themselves into their own versions of an eco-village.

Michael Richards, who organized the conference, says, "Just by reclaiming our won inner city core here in Cedar Rapids, we begin to move toward a sustainable community."

The greatest example comes from the Bronx, one of the most blighted areas in the nation. Now, through a group called Sustainable South Bronx, that city is working to transform itself.

Katie Roger, a conference participant, says "I think definitely, if people have the will to change, then they could definitely do it."

Cedar Rapids might be a long way from sustaining itself independently with food, energy and water. But, if people like Hawes are any indication, that possibility might be just around the corner.

The conference continues through Sunday at the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids. Organizers hope the event becomes an annual one.

Email Josh Hinkle at Josh.Hinkle@kcrg.com