A secret report of the National Academy of Engineering noted that the current state and set up of urban infrastructure is not sustainable, and therefore it negatively affects the society’s population and the associated economic sectors such as transport and communication. Ness states that through the improved access to the public transport system and the reduction of public transport cost, traffic congestion and the release of carbon compounds to the atmosphere can reduce (Ness, 20008). However, Ness’ solution does not optimally address the challenge by providing a permanent solution. Osorio explains that the increment of the power grid by 0.034% can reduce crime rates and the consequent destruction of infrastructure by improving illumination of urban centers (Osorio, 2011, p. 17). However, Osorio does not provide an alternative sustainable way for the generation of electric power.
The general approach for the improvement of urban infrastructure and ensuring that every design and construction is sustainable, and the challenges to the approach include;
Difficulty in the selection of sustainable materials and methods for construction of infrastructure.
Limitations of space for the construction of sustainable infrastructure.
Selection of more sustainable human economic activities to replace the existing unsustainable ones and to support the current population.
Engineering fields can provide solutions to the problems in the following ways;
1. Civil Engineering: The selection of more energy efficient building materials and methods by designing sustainable structures, for example, adoption of two-way and eight-lane highways constructed with low carbon materials can ease traffic congestion and reduce the levels of carbon emissions, and construction of special lanes for the elderly (Rahimifard, 2018).
2. Electrical engineering: Design and installation of alternative sources of electricity such as the use of solar energy in heavy industrial set-ups and the whole urban areas. Solar powered cars and bicycles can also be designed to reduce the emission of carbon compounds (Rahimifard, 2018).
3. Mechanical engineering: Design of 3600 blind spot detection systems for all cars can reduce accidents and destruction of roads (Rahimifard, 2018).
4. Chemical engineering: The design and manufacture of geosynthetics for use in road construction can eliminate dust release during construction. The strength of structures can also significantly increase by the adoption of low energy/low carbon composites in construction (Rahimifard, 2018).
Modern engineering and design methods can, therefore, solve the sustainability problems experienced in the modern urban centers.
Works Cited
Ness, D., 20008. Sustainable Infrastructure in China-Towards factor 10 improvement in resource productivity through intergrated infrastructure. International Journal on SUatainable Development., pp. 2-6.
Osorio, L., 2011. A three atage resiliece analysis fraework for urbann infrastructure systems. Amsterdam: Elsevier Publishers.
Rahimifard, S., 2018. The role of the engineering community in sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, pp. 1-2.
