From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Civil Engineering–How to Make Your Community Infrastructure Green and Clean

The demand for green infrastructure grows by the day with the increasing threats humans pose to the environment. Building a sustainable culture should begin at the community level. Households will be motivated to adopt green living when they already reside in a community that prioritizes sustainability. Community-scale waste disposal, power, and water sources are some of the infrastructures that can benefit from a clean and sustainable building. Besides being environmentally-friendly, green infrastructure must be resilient and cost-effective and next is a look at a few ideas.

Water Harvesting

Engineers can design communities that maximize the available resources for water harvesting. The proper collection and storage of water provide the community with a ready supply without relying on the mains. For communities located in dry regions, water harvesting can minimize the cost of utilities and increase availability. With the right designs, water harvesting can reduce runoff in buildings, thereby avoiding soil erosion.

Waste Disposal Measures

Building a community with waste disposal protocols can help homeowners dump their garbage responsibly. If the property regulation allows owners to have compost pits in their backyards, it means they can make good use of their trash. Part of the community infrastructure can include a recycling center where people can get rid of their recyclables.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Constructing homes that can operate using renewable sources of energy is another way that engineers can create a green community. For example, installing solar panels in buildings provides residents with viable sources of power besides electricity. Gas and electricity may be popular energy sources, but the increasing costs of fuel have made them quite expensive for both residential and commercial use.

Green Building

Another way engineers can build green infrastructures in a community is to utilize sustainable materials. Green building has become a popular phenomenon among architects and civil engineers. It refers to the use of efficient resources to create environmentally-responsible structures. One aspect of green building is the use of readily available materials. When raw materials don’t have to be transported a long distance, you minimize air pollution. Engineers also develop structures that conserve as much energy as possible. With the right qualifications, such as a having a masters in civil engineering, you can find unique ways to construct green buildings.

Green infrastructure can increase the livability of a particular region. Green and clean buildings are detrimental in providing a safe atmosphere for kids to grow up. In a world where children are facing numerous threats such as a lack of access to education, building sustainable communities is one way to contribute to a healthier, safer living.