Enhancing Urban Sustainability Infrastructure: Mathematical Approaches for Optimizing Investments Proceedings of a Workshop (2023) / Chapter Skim
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8 Building the Ideal Sustainable City
8 Building the Ideal Sustainable City
Pages 76-84
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From page 76... ...
The path forward includes markets that guide development, innovation, and adaptation; environmental regulations that limit uncompensated costs; and policy reforms that address persistent inequities. He pointed out that much pessimism surrounds cities: they use a significant quantity of resources, contribute to air pollution, experience urban heat island 76
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From page 77... ...
Improvements in nutrition related to income and regulation (e.g., meat inspection and milk pasteurization) , better sanitary infrastructure, technological improvements (e.g., sulfa drugs, vaccines)
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From page 78... ...
He remarked that environmental toxins still exist today via lead water pipes, air pollution, and wildfire smoke. All three measures demonstrate the value of investments to improve environmental quality, and he proposed a shared framework to measure benefits and convert future benefits to dollars of support.
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From page 79... ...
allocated billions of dollars to flood grant programs using a racially flawed system that has prioritized saving homes in rich areas or predominantly White communities. Hill posited that accelerating climate change could overtake humans' progress toward building sustainable communities, as climate changes today have already exceeded what scientists expected, and quality of life in many areas is already decreasing.
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From page 80... ...
She added that the approach should be a whole-of-society effort, not just a whole-of-government effort, and suggested that the federal government provide reliable risk vulnerability analysis. China's first adaptation plan emerged a decade ago and a new plan was recently issued for a substantial water infrastructure project, yet, the United States has no such national plan.
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From page 81... ...
These systems can deliver on carbon reduction and traditional infrastructure goals, but it is important to note that COVID-19 demonstrated that outdoor activities are also a vital part of the health infrastructure system. Austin is also working to advance social infrastructure projects that could deliver better green jobs and workforce development; protect art, music, and heritage sites; prevent displacement of artists and venues from the city; and create neighborhood resilience hubs (i.e., where people can go during a power or water emergency for information, water, food, electricity, and medical supplies)
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From page 82... ...
Wilson posed a question about how communities could work toward longer-term sustainability amid frequent political office turnover. Athens explained that the political turnover in Austin is not significantly limiting because the community advocates for equity and the environment.
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From page 83... ...
Athens pointed out that climate projections are compelling, although not always perfect, and Austin takes climate models down to a local level to understand projections for the city. Her team includes a data analyst who conducts analysis and creates visualizations related to potential impacts of Austin's Climate Equity Plan so that decision makers 7 For more information, see https://virginiaequitycenter.org/albemarle-county-equity profile-1, accessed September 3, 2022.
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From page 84... ...
Hill explained that benefit-cost analysis is critical to long-term resilience and sustainability: investments that generate future benefit have high value, while short-term investment decisions lack value and leave communities vulnerable. She suggested that a performance code for infrastructure could help with these decisions.
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