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The Worlds Biggest Problems

World Class Traffic Jam

"The reasonable person adapts themselves to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to themselves. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable person." - George Bernard Shaw

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss and prioritize global issues that sustainable infrastructure is meant to help address.
  • Collaborate to develop a solution to a problem.
  • Identify relationships between problems and between the three spheres (social, economic, environmental) of sustainability.

Agenda:

  1. Review discussion posts.
  2. Slides - Worlds Biggest Problems
  3. Activity - Two birds One Stone
  4. Complete Discussion and Assignment/Quiz

Worlds Biggest Problems

Slides and questions Links to an external site. on the world’s biggest problems.

Two Birds One Stone Activity

In your group, identify three solutions that would address at least two of the top ten problems and at least two spheres of sustainability. At least one of your solutions should be something you will do immediately (before next class). 

This is a good reference: http://earthpulse.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/earthpulse-map Links to an external site.

Examples

Energy Efficiency (i.e. use of solar power, downsizing HVAC systems, minimizing peak use)

  • Economical – money savings (long term electric bills, o&m costs)
  • Environmental – resource savings (reduction in nonrenewable energy sources, emissions)

Material Selection (i.e. use of local materials, use of renewable materials, use of durable/resilient materials)

  • Environmental – less resource consumption (raw materials, transport costs)
  • Economical – money savings (transport costs, replacement costs)

Integrated Design (i.e. design-build projects, constructability, owner/designer interaction)

  • Social – attitudes (i.e. excitement and interaction, involvement)
  • Economical – efficient use of money (largest influence for smallest cost)
  • Environmental – planning (institute procedures)

Recycling/Reuse (existing asphalt, construction leftovers, building inhabitants)

  • Economical – reduced costs (reuse of valuable materials, reduced disposal fees)
  • Environmental – less consumption (reduction of raw material use, land disposal avoidance)

Discussion:

  1. Review “The role of civil engineers… Cortese Links to an external site.” and watch: “Bogota: Building a Sustainable City Links to an external site.” (e2 series, ~25 minutes long).  Post on the Discussion Cortese and Bogotá: In your opinion, what is the most important role Cortese talks about that does not appear to have been addressed yet in Bogota? Explain why you think it’s the most important.

  2. Read the " Download Top 10 Myths about Sustainability" and respond in a post which myth resonates the most with you and why?  

References: