For the first time costs and benefits quantified regarding smart surface technologies in urban environments

WASHINGTON, D.C.— (January 30, 2017)—The U.S. Green Building Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser will be showcasing partnered research on smart  focusing on low-income urban areas in American cities: El Paso, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

The report, Delivering Urban Resilience, is a major breakthrough in understanding how cities can become more resilient, healthier and wealthier while slowing climate change. Authored by Capital-E, the report is the result of more than two years of collaborative research and analysis in partnership with organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council, the National League of Cities, the American Institute of Architects, the National Housing Trust, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the cities of EL Paso, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

The event will take place at the LEED Platinum Capitol Crossing, one of the largest developments in the Washington metro area, and also one of the most ambitious. The development creates three new city blocks supporting 2.2 million square feet of new mixed-use space in five buildings and reconnects the Union Station neighborhood to downtown DC. Capitol Crossing offers many smart surface features and technologies.

The report argues that a lack of investment in smart surface technologies degrades city comfort, decreases livability and resilience, costs jobs and contributes to climate change. The costs are greatest in low-income areas. Lack of greenery and prevalent dark, hard surfaces cause excess summer heat and air pollution, respiratory illness, heat stress, and high health costs. All this is avoidable with smart surface technologies – while saving money.

Who: USGBC and Greg Kats
What: Delivering Urban Resilience Launch Event
Where: Capitol Crossing 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 9th floor
When: Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at2:30—3:45 PM EST

Speakers:
Muriel Bowser, Washington D.C. Mayor
Greg Kats, lead author of Delivering Urban Resilience
Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Sean Cahill, SVP of PGP, heads development of Capitol Crossing, former President of the DC Building Industry Association