Skyline's Underbelly Unveiled

In the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Center for Advanced Urbanism (CAU) at MIT hosted the "Scaling Infrastructure" conference, bringing together experts from various fields to discuss the future of cities.

Ken Laberteaux, from the Toyota Research Institute-North America, discussed the evolving landscape of traffic infrastructure. He highlighted a trend among urban-dwelling members of Generation Y, who are driving less, and suggested that we should focus on making low-density, non-urban lifestyles more sustainable.

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel emphasized the importance of natural resource issues, specifically water, and access to water, as they will be a major global debate in the next 20 to 25 years. He believes that every neighborhood should have a library, parks and playgrounds, public transportation, schools, and safety, which constitute a significant part of its own public infrastructure. These assets help families and attract mobile professionals who work in knowledge-intensive industries. Emanuel also suggested adding showers in office buildings to encourage more professionals to commute by bike.

Chicago has already taken steps to improve its water system, and the mayor believes that infrastructure improvements are necessary for the city to compete globally across sectors and maintain its status as "the inland port of America".

Flint, Michigan, is also undergoing changes. Unused buildings are being dismantled, and the city could become "more green and also more dense" as a result.

Nancy Levinson, editor of Places Journal, criticized the dismissal of the federal role in local growth. Maria Zuber, MIT's vice president for research, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for clear thinking and practical sensibilities.

Sonja Beeck, a conference panelist, stated that climate change will significantly alter landscapes. In response, Alan Berger, a professor at MIT, suggested that future innovations in energy and transportation may be flexible, adaptable, and scalable, even down to individual preferences. Planners are considering infrastructure that is smaller, mutually independent, yet reinforcing.

The industrial researcher who spoke on the day of the conference was Ashok Prakash, Senior Principal Engineer at Oracle. He discussed the future of AI infrastructure and distributed systems.

The MIT-based CAU aims to improve equity and well-being in cities. They are working towards innovations that are flexible, adaptable, and scalable, responding to the scope of climate-driven problems. Money for new investments in Flint remains "extraordinarily scarce", but the potential for change is evident.

As cities prepare for global changes, including climate shocks, population growth, and decline, as industries relocate, infrastructure may take the form of smaller, adaptable networks. The "Scaling Infrastructure" conference served as a platform for experts to share their insights and collaborate on solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.