Stepping Away From Car-Centric Building Design
When looking at densely populated cities, it’s common to see many modes of transportation on the road. Whether it’s a public city bus, underground train, bikes or cars, people in congested cities need efficient ways to get around.
Because of the world’s current climate change crisis, looking at the engineering of buildings that comprise cities is necessary. The construction industry faces harsh criticism due to the size of its carbon footprint. Building materials like steel and cement add to the already growing emissions the world is struggling to combat.
Too many people are using cars as their primary means of transportation, especially in cities. It’s common knowledge that vehicles pollute the environment, so why are so many urban areas car-centric?
It’s crucial to follow more sustainable building practices to reduce a city’s environmental impact and move to a green world. Rather than focus on making cities easier to navigate, urban planners should focus on human-centered design.
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Modern Car-Centric Designs
Modern cities that plan for vehicles rather than people tend to have adverse impacts on health, equity and climate change. It’s rare to see a city without cars, but could it be a change for the better?
Cities like New York and Los Angeles are known for their congested highways and bumper-to-bumper traffic. The sound of honking horns and brakes screeching is all too familiar for the residents of these cities. With ample parking spaces and roads that bring drivers to any destination, it’s no wonder people opt for cars as their first choice of transportation.
The goal here is for politicians, lawmakers and public organizations to find innovative ways to make cities greener, especially within city planning strategies. The saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” which still holds true. However, how can governments intervene and make changes toward a more sustainable future? It will take work from industry leaders, public officials and the average citizen.
What Is Green Engineering?
Green engineering includes taking sustainability concerns into account while designing, planning and executing building projects. The goal is to address these concerns and come up with practical solutions.
Reducing pollution, promoting sustainability, and minimizing health risks to humans and the environment are some of the goals of green engineering. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set forth multiple ways to achieve these aims. Much of the work takes place during the developmental stages of building.
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Encouraging Greener, Human-Centric Practices
Architects and city planners must consider using a human-centered approach to building. It’s their responsibility to promote sustainability and support greener initiatives. This is not to say builders are not doing their due diligence. Still, it’s crucial for architects to be aware of the current toll buildings take on a city and its inhabitants.
Here are some recommendations that refocus building more around humans and less on transportation:
1. Reduce Space for Parking Garages
Cities and mixed-use developments may need more parking areas in the future. To avoid this, construction companies and city planners can work together to limit the use of parking garages.
This isn’t to say parking isn’t a necessity in many regions, where public transportation infrastructure is underdeveloped. New technologies and clever design can help residents and visitors find available parking and analyze how much they need to provide without overshooting and filling usable space with concrete.
Parking garages take up a lot of space, especially in a condensed city. Private operators allow people to park hourly, weekly or monthly. Eliminating these structures means fewer people will feel driving is convenient.
2. Design for Electric Charging Stations
The electric vehicle (EV) market is growing and will continue to grow into the next few years. For these sustainable vehicles to be worth the investment, charging stations need to be made more accessible.
Even though electric vehicles still contribute to traffic congestion, cities can benefit from the use of EVs due to the decrease in pollution. Also, less charging is needed to travel short distances. Building charging stations near residential areas can improve the lifestyle of many EV drivers and be more sustainable in the long run.
Green commuting can be encouraged by providing the infrastructure it needs to thrive.
3. Place Bike Racks in Convenient Places
Rather than place bike racks in problematic areas and far from living spaces, industry leaders and planners can focus on putting bike racks in high-traffic areas. Many cities already have bike lanes on major streets, so why should it be hard to find a place to park?
More people should be encouraged to use their bikes as an alternative to traditional vehicles. Whether it’s biking for a green commute or fun on a sunny afternoon, there are no downsides to seeing more cyclists on the street. However, it’s important to note that drivers must take proper precautions to ensure cyclist safety.
4. Encourage People to Use Public Transportation
Investing in public transport will benefit cities at large. Commuters and tourists alike can utilize public transportation to get to and from their desired destination without worrying about fighting for a parking spot.
By making public transportation more efficient, accessible and affordable, cities will soon see a positive impact on the environment and the people living in it.
Through these efforts, transitioning to greener, more sustainable city living is possible.
Planning for Green Cities
It’s challenging to know if cars will continue to outsell other modes of transportation. Still, the goal is to reduce their impact on the environment. Cities are highly dependent on vehicles, so it’s not a change that can happen overnight.
Encouraging city planners and architects to consider the implications of car-centric buildings will hopefully lead them to make better choices for building commercial and residential structures.
Author Bio: Evelyn Long is a writer and editor-in-chief for Renovated, a web magazine for the home industry. Her work focuses on design and construction tactics for industry professionals.
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