• Climate Change Mitigation

    Climate Change Mitigation

    Climate change mitigation entails reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat global warming, such as switching to renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency and adopting regenerative agricultural practices. It may also include protecting forests and critical ecosystems as carbon sinks. UNDP provides support to developing nations to create and implement long-term low emission development strategies,…

  • The Benefits of Mixed-Use Development

    The Benefits of Mixed-Use Development

    Mixed-use development encompasses any project which combines residential, commercial, and civic spaces into one overall development project. This can range from infill developments with retail on the ground floor and apartments above to entire neighborhoods that combine various forms of housing with civic/commercial space. These developments are essential components of creating healthy communities, encouraging walkability,…

  • Green Buildings

    Green Buildings

    Green buildings are constructed and operated to maximize resource efficiency. This means minimizing carbon emissions that contribute to global warming; decreasing natural resource extraction and energy consumption; as well as limiting waste creation. Environmentally conscious building strategies offer numerous business advantages. Reduced operating costs, healthier environments for occupants and resilient construction that minimizes business interruption…

  • Sustainable Urban Infrastructure

    Sustainable Urban Infrastructure

    Sustainable urban infrastructure refers to an approach that integrates engineering, environmental management and socio/economic concerns. Research in this cluster explores an increasing awareness of the need for resilient infrastructure systems that adapt to weather-related risks or operational disruptions. Studies have identified key obstacles that impede the creation of sustainable technical urban infrastructure: social (such as…

  • Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development

    Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development

    TOD allows for more housing to be constructed on smaller lots, reduces car traffic and pollution levels, promotes healthier lifestyle choices and increases local economic activity. Valbridge provides accurate and reliable appraisals for TOD projects. TODs promote compact city growth that integrates land development and transit service, enabling people to live without owning cars while…

  • The Goals of Sustainable Development

    The Goals of Sustainable Development

    In 2015, world leaders made an unprecedented commitment to eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and protecting the planet through seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that must be accomplished by 2030. But an expanding economy and rapid increase in natural resource consumption threaten the SDGs’ realization. Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemic, worsening climate change, and ongoing global conflicts all interfere…

  • How Energy Efficiency Benefits Everyone

    How Energy Efficiency Benefits Everyone

    Energy efficiency helps lower utility bills by decreasing the need to operate appliances such as heating and cooling systems. Installing windows and doors rated with the ENERGY STAR label as well as unplugging devices that draw energy when not in use can save money and help make energy efficiency the way to go. Efficiency-oriented homes…

  • What Are Smart Cities?

    What Are Smart Cities?

    Smart cities utilize technology to increase efficiency and sustainability within urban environments. This may involve creating more effective urban transport networks, improving water management systems and waste disposal systems, or developing smart lighting and heating solutions. Digital tools provide citizens with another means of engaging with the city and its administration, including collaboration tools, transparent…

  • Reliable Smart Grids

    Reliable Smart Grids

    Smart grids collect, process and analyze data to optimise electricity distribution. They allow utilities to reduce transmission losses and energy consumption while offering consumers real-time information and new options for how they use their electricity. Example applications could include notifying individual television sets to reduce demand during peak power usage periods or telling them when…

  • How Urban Mobility Affects People, Goods and Services

    How Urban Mobility Affects People, Goods and Services

    Urban mobility encompasses moving people, goods and services across urban environments with transportation systems. This affects numerous individuals’ quality of life. Pendulum movements, which require regular trips from residence to workplace during working hours, necessitate reliable and high capacity public transport systems. Population Growth At nearly 4 billion, half the global population – half the…