Spiro Pollalis, “Sustainability and Climate Change: From Science to Design”

Date: 

Monday, October 4, 2021, 12:00pm to 1:30pm

Location: 

Harvard Graduate School of Design—Online

The upcoming national investment in infrastructure is most welcomed; it will add jobs and stimulate the economy. However, it is imperative for the infrastructure to be sustainable, resilient, and mitigate climate change. How can that be ensured?

Since its founding in 2008, the research at the Zofnass Program has focused on providing tools for designers and planners to measure the sustainability and resilience of infrastructure. Recently, the focus is on expanding the tools for mitigating climate change. Today, the outcome of the Zofnass Program empowers both sides: the design professionals and the public agencies to specify the expectations contractually, level the field for sustainability promises, and monitor the results. Furthermore, the tools educate, provide insight, and promote collaboration among design professionals towards a common objective.

The presentation will follow the trajectory of the vision and goals and the associated deliverables. The guiding principles have always been that “you cannot improve unless you can measure” and “do the right project.” Urban infrastructure projects in landscape, stormwater and clean water bodies, and transportation will be used as vehicles to present the tools. City planning examples will follow, including the planning of the Allston campus for Harvard. The presentation will provide insights on the adopted research inquiry to engage the industry and academia best and several anecdotes and debates on crucial decision-making milestones towards developing useful tools.

Learn more about and RSVP for this virtual event.