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Green Buildings
Green buildings are designed and constructed in such a way as to reduce wastage, use eco-friendly materials and have minimal ecological impacts. Furthermore, green buildings take steps to maximise natural lighting, enhance ventilation and air quality for improved occupant health and productivity. Imagine environmental sustainability was simple and straightforward? Find out how to implement eco-friendly…
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Mixed-Use Development – Connectivity, Community, and Sustainability
Mixed-use development offers opportunities for more efficient land usage that conserves energy while upholding Smart Growth principles, creating walkable, compact neighborhoods that offer housing solutions suitable for various income levels and revitalizing downtown areas as well as urban and suburban infill locations. Mixed-use developments typically feature retail shops, office buildings, restaurants, public spaces and more…
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Sustainable Urban Infrastructure
Sustainable urban infrastructure is defined by its intertwining with social and ecological systems, impacting every corner of a city ecosystem and necessitating an evaluation in this greater perspective. Integral to this work are new paradigms in energy and transport, innovative finance and governance practices, cultural contextualization efforts and holistic evaluations of sustainability that include resilience…
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Transit-Oriented Development
Transit-oriented development (TOD), is an innovative form of urban planning which integrates urban renewal with walkable neighborhoods and provides exciting places around public transit stations while helping reduce dependence on automobiles. TODs (Transit Oriented Developments) are dense mixed-use communities located within one quarter to half mile of Washington Metro rapid transit stations such as Rosslyn,…
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Energy Efficiency – The Importance of Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency reduces the need to invest in new electricity generation capacity, helps stabilize prices and volatility, creates job opportunities, and enhances environmental stewardship by reducing air and water pollution, conserving natural resources, and extending job lifespan. Energy efficiency can often be sold as an add-on feature of products and services and is difficult to…
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What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development fosters economic growth, decent employment and healthy lifestyles while simultaneously limiting environmental destruction and making efficient use of natural resources. The global community has an ambitious plan for reaching these goals by 2030; however, rising inequalities, climate change, and biodiversity loss threaten progress and require fundamental shifts to get back on track. Sustainable…
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Smart Cities and Sensors
Smart cities utilize sensors to gather electronic information on citizens, infrastructure and the environment. Such devices can reduce energy use while increasing safety and increasing information flow speeds. They can improve quality-of-life (QoL), promote sustainability and economic competitiveness, enhance governance and map informal systems while encouraging civic participation. 1. Increased Efficiency and Effectiveness of Public…
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What is the Smart Grid?
Smart grid technology consists of various technologies and approaches that optimize electricity distribution, from regulation of larger investor-owned utilities at the state level to governance by smaller cooperatives or “munis” through member ownership or local officials. Smart grids also include communication networks that enable utilities and consumers to exchange two-way information via advanced metering infrastructure…
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The Importance of Understanding Zoning Regulations
Zoning regulations divide municipalities into distinct zones or districts with specific land-use restrictions and help shape the character of neighborhoods while meeting local needs through new construction projects. Homebuyers must understand how zoning laws impact property value and renovation options. Some critics contend that segregating commercial and residential areas results in higher transportation costs as…
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Urban Mobility As a Service (MaaS)
Urban mobility refers to the movement of people and goods within cities. It plays an essential role in economic and social development while simultaneously having an effect on climate emissions, air quality and saving lives. Intelligent urban mobility plans can make cities more efficient, safer, and enjoyable environments; however, technological disruption and social changes present…
