How To Build Sustainable Cities

There is a lot that goes into sustainable cities. Low carbon innovation, energy, climate change, society, immobility, and economics all play a role. The innovation interface is one of the things, and it can significantly shape a city.On this episode of The Energy Exchange, Host David Hidinger talked with Dr. Stephen Hall, the Program Leader for MSc Sustainable Cities at Leeds University. The duo chatted about sustainable cities and Hall’s work, which focuses on sustainable living in cities. One of his main areas of focus is the role of cities in a low-carbon future.Hall works out of the School of Earth and Environment, and the goal of the school is to address some of the challenges facing society over the next 25 years or so. Hall put out the Innovation Interface to give cities and companies the tools to manage their energy needs down the line. These needs could vary from a traffic problem to an energy issue.There are many ways to address these issues, such as public policy and individual business plans. Hall thinks that one isn’t necessarily more effective than the other. It’s taking a look at a business model and understanding why it made sense in the scenario it was created and why it doesn’t make sense any longer.“What is the system in front of us we’re trying to change,” Hall said. “Not what is the ideal future, and that means looking at the current business models and why they’re unsustainable.”Listen to hear more about Hall’s work on building a more sustainable future.