When you hear “green design,” what comes to mind for you? [NEW POLL]

The effects of climate change, both those being felt now and the impacts expected long-term, are top-of-mind for many designers, planners, and builders today. These effects can include flooding, severe heat, and extreme weather events.  

Park concept sketch, by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. To learn more about the One Waterfront vision visit: onewaterfront.thetrustees.org/approach

“Cities are particularly vulnerable in that they are immobile,” states the World Bank report, Cities and climate change: An urgent agenda. “Such infrastructure as bridges, subway systems, buildings, and roads, the historic sense of place, and rootedness of residents are critical attributes of cities. These strengths of place can, however, become liabilities if the local ecosystems that they are based on are unable to adapt to the climate-induced changes.” 

Facing these challenges, “green design” becomes a critical element in preparing for the future. In the last poll question from the One Waterfront team, we asked: “What factors would be important to you when a new park is built?“ Out of four options, the one which received the highest vote for most important was: “Ensuring a design that includes ‘green’ infrastructure and natural elements,” with 60% of respondents ranking it as highest priority.  

For our next poll question, we want to know: When you hear “green design”, what comes to mind as being most important?