Engineering Sustainable Urban Infrastructure

Author
Publication Year
2006

Type

Book Chapter
Abstract
This chapter describes engineering processes and urban planning strategies that can be applied to improve the sustainability of urban infrastructure, where urban infrastructure refers to the engineered structures that provide energy, water, sanitation, housing, and transport (of materials, humans and information) within an urban area. It is suggested that urban systems studies must integrate the energy, water, sewage, construction, industrial production, information, and health care sectors within a city, as well as address impacts on the whole environment, including water, air, land, and bio resources. Sustainable infrastructure engineering requires addressing technical feasibility of new and innovative technologies in the context of environmental, ecosystem and socioeconomic metrics for sustainability. Engineering evaluations, along with economic analysis and suitable public policy implementation have been shown to lead to success in developing sustainable urban infrastructure in a few cities, worldwide. The challenge lies in understanding these linkages, learning from past experiences and developing a consistent framework for future sustainable urban infrastructure engineering.
Book Title
Sustainability Science and Engineering: Defining Principles
Pages
419-434
Publisher
Elsevier