Urban Sustainability – A Roadmap for Decision Making

Urban Sustainability – A Roadmap for Decision Making

Organizers

Alamin Molla (Auburn University, azm0203@auburn.edu)

Dr. Chandana Mitra (Auburn University – chandana@auburn.edu)

Abstract: Given that three out of five people worldwide are expected to live in an urban environment by 2030, accurately forecasting urban weather is becoming increasingly important to protect these densely-populated areas from the impacts of adverse environmental conditions, as well as ensuring urban systems – transportation, energy and water – function efficiently. Cities with a concentration of people and resources both promote and damage aspects of sustainability, which can be quantified and assessed through various strategic planning techniques.

Cities also present many opportunities to test and implement solutions at an efficient scale, translating collective knowledge into action. It is time that cities start including sustainability into their planning schemes and work in close coordination with local governments, businesses and organizations in order to encourage new innovative techniques.

Based on this, the question arises whether present cities could be retrofitted to adapt to the changing future or new cities have to be build. Our understanding in this respect is very rudimentary. Thus, studies involving any of the aspects of how urban areas will react/adapt to the impact of the changing climate and environment should be brought to the table, discussed and analyzed, to pave a better future for sustainable urban development and planning.

Session themes may include, but not limited to:

1. Stormwater management and rainwater harvesting,
2. Low Impact Development,
3. Solar Power potential and implementation,
4. Citizen participation in sustainability feedback and strategies,
5. Renewable energy.

Interested participants should register and submit your abstract (max 250 words) through the AAG Annual Meeting Abstract Submission Console (http://www.aag.org/cs/annualmeeting/call_for_papers). Please send your AAG program identification number (PIN) to Alamin Molla (azm0203@auburn.edu) and/or Chandana Mitra (chandana@auburn.edu) by before October 23 to enable us to include your paper in this session.