Today, more than half of us live in cities, and by 2050, this proportion is expected to increase to 67%. As urbanization becomes a global trend, the struggle to efficiently and sustainably grow our cities will only intensify. More people need more buildings, more energy, and more infrastructure, and this puts increased pressure on resources and the environment.
The challenges we face can seem daunting, but the good news is that raw material suppliers, building material manufacturers, architects, and engineers are creating innovative solutions that can help the building industry rise to meet these challenges in order to build the sustainable and resilient cities of the future.
This course will explore what the future of urbanization could look like through the lens of energy reduction, power supply, and efficient construction. We will examine innovative materials and technologies that will help cities, and their citizens, thrive as we make our way through the 21st century.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how a circular economy can help the building industry meet requirements for sustainable, resilient, and beautiful buildings.
- Explore the Future of Energy Reduction through high-performance insulation, sealants, reflective roof coatings, and Negative Emissions Technologies.
- Identify innovative technologies that contribute to the Future of Power Supply for our cities, including protective coatings for wind turbines and wind turbine blades made with polyurethane resin that reduce weight.
- Explore the Future of Efficient Construction and how high-performance materials enable housing to be constructed fast, sustainably, and on a budget.
Pre-Requisite: None.