My research question is: How can the integration of green infrastructure in urban architectural designs contribute to the sustainability of buildings while enhancing the resilience of urban areas to climate change?
This topic interests me because as someone who majors in architecture, this is something I look into knowing that someday my designs can be built in the real world. As the population grows more and more buildings will emerge. Building construction can produce up to 15 to 100 tons of CO2 emissions, so as an Architecture major, I want to be cognizant of how design can be sustainable while also enhancing a space. I already know that we are already incorporating green infrastructure like green roofs, living walls, and water management systems into the building. We’re thinking of techniques for how we can naturally cool buildings using plants. We are looking at how far our materials come from and how much it takes to mine them. Points I want to explore are how we create affordable, sustainable housing solutions that meet the specific needs of low-income residents. Is it worth using organic materials when the longevity is not that long compared to steel and concrete? The question encourages a holistic view of sustainability, considering environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Relevant source
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/realestate/architecture-natural-materials.html
http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010540240/OVIC?u=cuny_nytc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=123c10b1
https://www.kpf.com/story/the-climate-ready-city-how-sustainability-is-shaping-architecture-in-2024
