Architectural Designs

sustainable urban development?

Im a civil engineering undergraduate and Im interested in sustainable urban development in engineering and LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) for green building and sustainable urban development. Im wondering what I should focus in for this? Should i focus on environmental engineering or construction, or whichever?

Public Comments

1. I'd personally say construction, mainly because when it all comes down to it, you can be as 'green' as you want, you can make advances, engineer some nice items or designs....but Urban sprawl is considered a problem right now, people will always want at least a small percentage of green space reserved, but the human population is growing. So unless we find ways to stack people up in skyscraper apartments that are safely done so, people won't give a damn how 'green' it is if they have to sacrifice safety. At least not the majority of the reasonable people. The eco freaks that want to live in the redwood trees might complain as they usually do and want to put human safety low on the priority scale but they are a minority
2. I would say construction as well, but for different reasons. Buildings nowadays, even those built to be "green," tend to have one thing in common: They are all built using nonsustainable means and/or toxic materials. Buildings designed with a minimum use of plastics & etc, built using manpower rather than machines, that are well laid-out (allowing maximum use with a minimum of space), and are built for the region (high air-flow in warm climates, well-insulated in cool climates, etc) are the way to go. But that might not even be something you would focus on in school.
3. Publications Sustainable Cities Sustainable city picture Being a sustainable city means "improving the quailty of life in a city, including ecological, cultural, political, institutional, social and economic components without leaving a burden on future generations. More..."