We are an inter-disciplinary research team driven by a common goal of making our cities sustainable. Sustainable Cities project is currently funded by ISU PIIR (Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research).
Sustainable architecture requires integrating human behavior and decision-making about the built environment within an ever-larger range of spatial, political, and cultural contexts. In addition to building-occupant interaction, we are increasingly considering the roles of microclimate and social dynamics in supporting cities as they develop policies and incentives for improved energy utilization.
Blogs
18 Jun 2020
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Ulrike Passe, associate professor of architecture and director of the Iowa State University Center for Building Energy Research, discusses the importance of considering climate and social factors in building construction and design.
01 Feb 2020
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A new network of researchers and community officials is working to find solutions to some of the biggest challenges within the Mississippi River watershed.
Iowa State University hosted a workshop last summer during which 82 academic experts and local stakeholders discussed a variety of issues in the watershed, including nutrient runoff, erosion, flooding, heat island effects, urban sprawl and much more – with particular attention given to the urban-rural interface.
22 Jan 2020
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The Sustainable Cities Research Team recently received a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a framework for analysis of food, energy and water systems for greater Des Moines, which includes the city and the surrounding six-county area, and to formulate scenarios that could result in a more sustainable city. The team includes scientists from a wide range of disciplines at Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa and University of Texas at Arlington.
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