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On March 26th, Crain’s New York Business and Esri, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, hosted a virtual event exploring pioneering applications of geospatial technologies for sustainability and climate initiatives. Attendees heard from leaders at organizations that have implemented tools such as spatial analytics, digital mapping and digital twins to tackle issues related to sea level rise, urban planning, transportation, and more.
Moderated by Dr. Steven A. Cohen, senior vice dean of the Columbia University School of Professional Studies, the event began with a keynote address by Dr. Julian Reyes, assistant director of climate services at the White House.
“Our vision is to provide every American, every community and every business with access to useful climate services,” Reyes said. He demonstrated a new resource for leaders in cities and communities – a real-time climate map of the whole country, with detailed information down to the census-tract level. The CMRA (Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation) is a portal that shows what’s happened in the last 90 days — wildfires, flooding, drought — but also what’s happened in the last 30 years, and what is predicted to happen in the next 30. CMRA includes population, demographic, environmental, and even building-code data..
Next, presenters from Austria, Australia, and Spain showcased three destination cities where GIS mapping software has been used to achieve climate goals.
Petr Bocharnikov, a geodata strategist at Sokigo, which delivers scalable solutions and services for municipalities, described the 3D model being used to develop aspern Seestadt, a sustainable district city in Vienna with high efficiency buildings and renewable energy. “Our 3D model provides access to information while documenting ongoing projects,” he said. “We have multiple data layers around existing conditions, and the master plan provides important cartographic materials to internal users, external architects, developers and engineers.”
In Brisbane, Australia, where leaders are preparing to host the 2032 Olympics, a digital twin is allowing for the design and build of the underground Cross River Rail project with maximum mobility and minimal environmental impact. Russ Vine, general manager for communications and engagement for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, shared how.
“We use an operational delivery twin — a virtual representation of the system — in the building stage, and another digital twin to support the infrastructure upon completion,” he said. “This technology allows us to refine plans for optimal end results.”
Half a world away, Valencia, Spain, has been recognized as the 2024 European Green Capital, having met more than 12 urban sustainability criteria. Antonio García-Celda, general director of the Green Capital of Europe, spoke of Valenciaport, a landmark feature in the city that is among the world’s greenest ports.
“Geospatial technology allows Valencia to serve as a model green city for other Mediterranean cities to emulate,” he said. “We use innovative tools for real-time monitoring projects, such as inspections of the municipal sewage network.”
During a panel discussion, experts discussed three topics crucial to sustainable city planning: mitigating extreme heat, protecting communities prone to flooding and planning smart cities with digital twins.
Dr. Brett Sanders, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Irvine, was asked about new tools and analysis methods that can help New York City prepare for unexpected realities.
“Legacy forecasting systems are helpful,” he said, “but we also have newer, more advanced methods that allow us to identify specific streets or parcels of land that stand to be most affected by, say, precipitation at a given time. With spatial data and simulation tools, we can have a good sense today of the impact of tomorrow’s storm.”
These technologies can give cities a real edge when it comes to planning decisions related to impending hazards. But they also offer more than that: “An investment in a simulation isn’t just about forecasting,” said Sanders. “It can also be used to plan the next upgrade to a floodwall, or improvements to local drains.”
Sydney Rich, an urban planning consultant at Esri, shared how technology and accessible data can be leveraged to ensure that cities are equally protected from the perils of extreme weather. “We need to identify vulnerable communities and evaluate their climate risks,” she said. “We’re using technology to measure inequities in access to services, environmental conditions, access to opportunity and more — including several resources doing so in New York City.”
Dominik Tarolli, director of smart cities for Esri, closed with a keynote focused on the future of geospatial technology including a proven path for sustainable cities: “A smart city is one that first, can adapt to change. Second, it is a well-run operation with efficient governance. Third, it uses data to make informed decisions. And finally, it focuses on civic inclusion and is well connected with residents.”
In describing the last of these, Tarolli showed a video in which New Yorkers interacted with augmented reality technology via an app, which allowed them to see how sites currently under construction would look when work is complete.
“Smart cities are those that are connected and engaged with the people who call them home,” he concluded.
Learn more about the power of geospatial tech for New York City.
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, 2024-04-16 17:03:03
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