A cost/benefit analysis by clean energy advisory and venture capital firm Capital E suggests that implementing smart surface solutions in major cities would have multiple resilience and health benefits as well as save money.
Smart surfaces include green roofs, solar panels, permeable pavement, and reflective pavement. The report, “Delivering Urban Resilience,” focused on three cities: El Paso, Texas, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
Over 40 years, the three cities would reap savings of $3.6 billion in Philadelphia; $1.8 billion in Washington, D.C.; and $538 million in El Paso. These figures would be realized after factoring in smart surface installation and operational costs.
Smart surfaces would reduce the urban heat island effect, making cities cooler and reducing health threats such as heat stroke and smog during heat waves.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2018
‘Amazon tax’ could slow Seattle’s construction boom
City imposes employer head count tax to fund affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2018
AAMA releases 2017/2018 fenestration market studies
Offers forecasts of industry trends.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2018
Registration open for 2018 National Energy Codes Conference
U.S. Department of Energy event to be held July 15th-17th in Austin.
Codes and Standards | May 21, 2018
New standard tests quietness of floors
ASTM International method will help manufacturers test their flooring materials.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2018
California will require solar panels on most new homes
Projected to add $10,000 to cost of new homes.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2018
New resources offer tips on off-site construction
NIBS documents address using pre-cast concrete, and commercial and legal considerations of modular construction.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2018
Blast testing of loaded mass timber structures yields positive results
Four tests covered a spectrum of blast loads.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2018
Maryland makes general contractors liable for failure of subs to pay employees
GCs could have to pay for up to three times the wages owed.
Codes and Standards | May 10, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 9, 2018
OSHA and state safety agencies write more than 100 silica citations in 6 months
Actions tending to come with investigation of other site conditions.