CSB 20503 Green Infrastructure Quiz

Green Infrastructure, Smart Cities & Societies

• CSB 20503
• Focuses on the role of infrastructure in economic development, environmental protection, and public health.

The Principle

• Infrastructure is the foundational framework for societies globally.
• Its significance lies in its multifaceted impact on economic, environmental, and public health dimensions.

The Dimensions: Economic, Environmental, and Public Health

• Economic Dimension:
  • Infrastructure catalyzes economic growth, increasing productivity, trade, and fostering innovation.
  • Major projects stimulate job creation and community employment opportunities.
  • Well-developed infrastructure enhances national competitiveness and attracts investments.
• Environmental Dimension:
  • Modern infrastructure integrates sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact.
  • Investments in green technologies (renewable energy, eco-friendly construction) contribute to a sustainable future.
  • Infrastructure can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
• Public Health Dimension:
  • Infrastructure ensures access to clean resources (water and sanitation), impacting public health directly.
  • Well-established infrastructure is vital for disease prevention, treatment, and overall community well-being.
  • Quality of public health is linked to the accessibility and reliability of infrastructure services.

Definition of Infrastructure

• Infrastructure comprises physical and organizational structures and facilities essential for societal functioning.
• Transportation: Roads, highways, bridges, railways, airports, ports, public transit (buses, subways).
• Energy: Power generation facilities (power plants), transmission and distribution networks for electricity, renewable energy (solar, wind, hydropower).
• Water and Sanitation: Water supply systems (reservoirs, treatment plants), sewage systems, wastewater treatment plants.
• Communication: Telecommunication networks (telephone, internet), information and communication technology (ICT) systems, data centers.

Infrastructure as a Driver of Economic Growth

• Enhanced Connectivity: Facilitates trade and commerce between regions.
  • Efficient transportation networks reduce cost and time of moving goods and people.
• Improved Accessibility: Increases accessibility to resources, contributing to economic activities.
• Boost to Productivity: Upgraded energy infrastructure ensures stable and efficient power supply, crucial for industrial productivity.
• Attracting Investments: Robust infrastructure provides a conducive business environment, attracting foreign investment.
  • Investors prefer reliable transportation, energy, and communication infrastructure.

Employment Generation Through Infrastructure Projects

• Direct Job Creation: Jobs directly generated from infrastructure projects.
• Indirect Employment Opportunities: Jobs linked to supporting industries and related activities.
• Engineering and Technical Jobs: Specialized skills required for infrastructure projects.
• Supporting Industries: Businesses supporting the main project.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborative ventures between public and private entities.

Infrastructure & Environmental Protection

• Sustainable Infrastructure Practices: Adopts sustainable practices during design, construction, and operation.
  • Uses environmentally friendly materials/methods.
  • Minimizes resource consumption and environmental degradation.
• Reducing Environmental Impact: Minimizes infrastructure's negative impact on ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources.
  • Implement strategies to reduce negative impacts.
  • Consider environmental impact assessments to identify and address potential ecological consequences.

The Global Carbon Cycle

• Shows carbon fluxes between different reservoirs (atmosphere, vegetation, soils, oceans, etc.).
• Highlights the global carbon cycle and anthropogenic influences (fossil fuels, land-use change, etc.).

The Path to Decarbonization

• Defining and minimizing a company's carbon footprint.
• Three scopes of emissions: Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3.

Renewable Energy Integration, Green Building Standards, Sustainable Transportation Systems, and Carbon Capture

• Important initiatives to reduce the negative impact of infrastructure on the environment.

Introduction to Public Health

• Focus: Improving health and quality of life through prevention and treatment.
  • Science and art of disease prevention and prolonging life.
  • Organized efforts of society, organizations, public, and private sectors
  • Interdisciplinary approaches: epidemiology, statistics, health services, etc.
  • Occupational safety and health

Ancient History of Public Health

• Miasma Theory
• Ancient Roman waste disposal
• Ancient Chinese variolation (smallpox prevention)
• Republic of Venice's Permanent Court of Supervisors of Health

Modern Public Health

• Edward Jenner and smallpox vaccine
• James Lind and scurvy
• Sir John Pringle and military barracks sanitation
• Industrial Revolution and urban health challenges.

The Importance of Public Health

• Disease Prevention: Measures to prevent diseases from occurring in the first place.
• Health Promotion: Promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing chronic disease risk.
• Emergency Preparedness: Preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
• Health Equity: Ensuring that all citizens have access to health resources.
• Cost Savings: Reduced healthcare costs through disease prevention and promotion.
• Community Building: Strong communities with social connectedness and collective responsibility for health.

Occupational Health

• Covers workplace health and safety aspects, focusing on the primary prevention of hazards.
• Factors and determinants: Work accidents, cancers, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory and circulatory diseases, stress-related disorders, communicable diseases, etc.
• Formal and informal employment conditions are relevant.
  • Working hours, salary, workplace policies, maternity leave, health promotion and protection.

The Dynamics of Infrastructure & Public Health

• Infrastructure impacts, and is impacted by public health.
• Crucial aspects of access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare services, urban planning, waste management, disaster resilience, and emergency response.

The Importance of Clean Water for Public Health

• Clean water is essential for drinking, sanitation, hygiene, and food preparation.
• Contaminated water harbors harmful microorganisms.
• Contaminated water causes various waterborne diseases and illnesses.

7 Most Common Waterborne Diseases

• Different waterborne diseases (E. coli, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Typhoid, Cholera, Giardia, Dysentery) and their symptoms.

Water Supply Technology

• Distribution systems connect treatment plants to consumer taps, including pipes.
• Federal water quality regulations are applied.
• Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and treatment techniques.

Service Quality and Institutional Responsibility & Governance

• Continuity of water supply (water quality and pressure).
• Policy and regulation for safe operation of water and sanitation services.
• Service provision of services and standardization.
• Comparing performance among service providers.

The Health Issues Related to Drainage Water Management

• Water-related diseases (vector-borne, fecal-orally transmitted)
• Chronic health issues (exposure to agrochemicals).

Case Study: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

• Aims to be a hub for clean energy and sustainable technologies.
• Fostering innovation in renewable energy.
• This approach emphasizes the integration of green spaces, accessible public transport, and walkable neighborhoods. The goal is to reduce reliance on vehicles, thereby decreasing pollution and fostering community interactions, which ultimately supports overall public health and well-being.

Case Study: Portland EcoDistrict, Oregon, USA

• Focuses on economic development via sustainable practices including energy-efficient buildings, local business support, and creation of green jobs.
• Prioritizes sustainability with green roofs, stormwater management, and renewable energy initiatives.

Infrastructure Funding Challenges

• High initial costs: Infrastructure projects require significant upfront investment.
• Long payback periods: It can be difficult for investors to see immediate returns.
• Government budget constraints: Governments often have limited budget for infrastructure.
• Private sector reluctance: Investors may be hesitant due to uncertainties, risks, and profitability concerns.

Environmental Risks of Infrastructure Development

• Habitat Disruption
• Pollution and Contamination
• Climate Change Impacts

Top 3 Possible Solutions

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
• Innovative Financing Models (Innovative methods of raising capital)
• Government Guarantees and Subsidies.

Environmental Risks of Infrastructure Development

• Conduct thorough Environmental Impact Assessments (ElAs).
• Prioritize environmentally friendly practices (eco-friendly constructions, materials, renewable energies).
• Community engagement and consultations to lessen environmental concerns.

Future Trends in Infrastructure Development

• Smart Infrastructure Integration: Integrating technology and data-driven solutions into infrastructure (IoT, AI, advanced analytics).
• Green and Sustainable Infrastructure: Emphasizing environmentally conscious and sustainable infrastructure practices (renewable energies, eco-friendly materials).
• Resilient Infrastructure Planning: Proactive planning to enhance infrastructure's resilience to climate change, natural disasters.