SUSTAINABLE CITIES
If i b d i ll…If we are serious about dramatically reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants on this planet, we must p p ,
rethink the way we build cities…
Low‐Density Sprawl is C D d tCar‐Dependent
Transit stations are too far fromtoo far from trip origins
andand destinations.
High‐Density Cities are Cl d ith CClogged with Cars
Ground level tripslevel trips are too far to walkto walk.
Paradox of IntensificationParadox of Intensification
Urban intensification reduces per capita car use improving global environment, p g g ,but it also increases traffic congestion worsening the local environmentworsening the local environment.
…Melia, Parkhurst, Barton 2011
Free‐Standing Domes and PyramidsFree Standing Domes and Pyramids
• Require massive support structures• Require massive support structures• Must be built all at once
R = Ratio of Floor Area toExposed Surface AreaExposed Surface Area
N stories
NLW
N stories
LWH)WL(2NLWR
L W
H
L W
R Energy Consumption
Block Buildings
• No natural light penetration• No natural light penetration• No interior views• Claustrophobic• Not livable
Greenplex:Greenplex: A Transformative Shift TowardsA Transformative Shift Towards
Car‐Free, Zero‐Energy, Fully‐Protected, 3D Cities
Highly‐ConnectedHighly Connected
• Skybridges provide multiple escape routesSkybridges provide multiple escape routes• Skybridges provide multiple access pointsSk b id d d l l i• Skybridges reduce ground‐level congestion
• Mix space both vertically and horizontally• Fully exploit the vertical dimension• Keep walking distances less than half‐mileKeep walking distances less than half mile
Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene(ETFE)
• Lightweight
(ETFE)g g
• Transparent• FlexibleFlexible• Easy to repair• Noncombustible• Noncombustible• Self‐cleaningR l bl• Recyclable
• Inexpensive• Low embodied energy
Fully‐ProtectedFully Protected
• ETFE atria protect people from severe weather• ETFE envelope reduces exposed surface areaETFE envelope reduces exposed surface area• ETFE atria provide open viewsETFE i id l li h i• ETFE atria provide natural light penetration
Greenplex = Tall Buildings + Skybridgesh l+ ETFE Atria + Green Technologies
• Ground‐source heat pumps• Hydronic heating and coolingHydronic heating and cooling• Natural ventilationS l d i d• Solar and wind
• Circulating multi‐car elevators• Onsite wastewater treatment
Hydronic Heating and Cooling
Hot / cold waterHot / cold water circulates in floors or ceilingsor ceilings
• No air ducts• No fans• No noise• No dustNo dust
lGreenplex =Tall BuildingsTall Buildings + Skybridges + ETFE Atria + Mixed Use+ Mixed Use
+ Green Technologies ‐ Cars
University City Greenplex, Provo• Fastest growing metropolitan area in USA• Worst air in the nation• Worst air in the nation• BYU campus: 292 buildings 0.84km2 floor area• Off‐campus student housing: 0.67km2 floor area• Faculty/staff housing: 0.89km2 floor area• Stores, schools, churches, recreation, hospitals• Housing for people operating these services• Housing for people operating these services• Everyone who lives here works here, and vice versa• No agriculture or manufacturing (goods imported)
100 Buildings (40m x 40m, 20m gap)(36x30s+28x40s+20x50s+12x60s+4x70s)(36x30s+28x40s+20x50s+12x60s+4x70s)
People > 100,000
0.58km
Floor Area=6.7km2R > 8
Interconnected Greenplex Cities
Staggering reduction infossil fuel consumption
Land restored from sprawl to green
Greenplex Research Professors• Rick Balling, structural engineer• Carol Ward sociologist• Carol Ward, sociologist• Grant Schultz, transportation engineer• Matt Jones ener en ineer• Matt Jones, energy engineer• Brett Borup, water engineer• Clifton Farnsworth, construction manager• Michael Clay, urban planner• Larry Walters, public manager• Patrick Tripeny, architectp y
Greenplex Research Partners
• BYU Office of Space Managementp g• Provo City Planning Division• Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat• Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat• Parkview Green
Greenplex Proposals
• Environmental Protection Agencyg y– People, Planet, Prosperity Program
• National Science Foundation• National Science Foundation– Environmental Sustainability Program
B k i t F ll Ch ll• Buckminster Fuller Challenge
Amy McCall, PhDSkyscraper Analysis / Optimi ationSkyscraper Analysis / Optimization• 16 to 100 Building Box and Pyramid Greenplexes• Gravity, Wind, and Seismic Loading• Core‐Megacolumn‐Outrigger Modelg gg• With and without skybridges and ETFE
Skybridge ConnectionSkybridge Connection
Roller Hinge RigidRoller Hinge Rigid
Buildings swayindependently
Buildings swayin unison
Buildings lengthen andindependently in unison g
shorten
Ryan Bessey, MSLightweight FlexibleLightweight, Flexible,
Spring‐Cable Support Systemp g pp y
V ti l i i t l i t bVertical springs in telescoping tubes allow differential building displacements
Bradley Mecham, MSOptimi ation of Space Use andOptimization of Space Use and
Transport with Genetic Algorithmp g
Minimize travel time and energy consumption
Sam Christensen, MSHVACL E C tiHVACL Energy Consumption
DOE SoftwareConductionConvectionRadiationIllumination
lComputational Fluid Dynamics S ftSoftware
National Academy of Engineering One of 14 Grand Challenges
for the 21st Century:for the 21st Century:Restore and Improve pUrban Infrastructure
Will we continue to build the same cities we have in the past,
ill b ild hi b ?or will we build something better?