United Engineers is working to expand sustainable urban infrastructure into the concept of urban infrastructure by adding the element of sustainability with the expectation of improved and more resilient urban development. In the construction and physical and organizational structures that enable cities to function, sustainability also aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the capabilities of future generations.
Goal 9 of the international Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly deals with infrastructure, however, infrastructure is a fundamental building block for the rest of the sustainable development goals. Therefore, achieving sustainable infrastructure is a major concern in multiple areas of society.
A citation analysis study, on the development of research related to sustainable urban infrastructure, confirms that this concept continues to grow in the research community and change in scope as technology improves. According to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, urban infrastructure refers to the engineering systems (water, energy, transportation, sanitation, and information) that make up a city. Sustainability efforts in urban infrastructure do not rely solely on evaluating facilities, and seek to combat global warming and municipal waste, as well as encourage economic prosperity. The social and economic impacts of these efforts often involve policy and governance in implementing sustainable infrastructure, and their variability leads to programs of varying scale at the national, regional, or local levels. Challenges resulting from increasing population growth have led to the need for sustainable infrastructure that is high-performance, cost-effective, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly.
The planning process for sustainable design can lead to the development of a community that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Sustainable urban infrastructure design emphasizes settlement and sustainable living. According to the principle of sustainable development, the goal is to reduce the ecological footprint per capita in densely populated areas.
The criteria for what can be included in this type of urban environment vary from place to place due to differences in existing infrastructure, built form, climate, and the availability of local resources and talent.
In general, the following can be considered sustainable urban infrastructure:
Public transportation networks
Distributed generation initiatives and programs and integrated demand management for energy efficiency
Highly efficient buildings and other development constraints such as allowing only sustainable construction and sustainable habitats with energy-efficient landscaping.
Connected protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries
Low-impact development practices to protect water resources
Emergency management to mitigate disasters
Highly integrated communication networks
Systems to increase access to local and renewable resources
A more systematic vision of sustainable urban infrastructure has become increasingly popular. Rather than focusing solely on housing and space, experts are now incorporating ideas about urban resource metabolism, citizen interconnectedness, and the complex vulnerabilities that cities develop over time. Green infrastructure is a subset of sustainable urban infrastructure, often considering environmental impacts, water resources, and nature-based solutions.
