Next Generation Infrastructure: Principles for Post-Industrial Public Works - Hardcover

"Hillary Brown understands that--for our grandchildren's sake--we must rebuild America and, in doing so, re-imagine our interconnected infrastructure systems to make them more efficient, environmentally safe, and resilient in this age of global urbanization. This fascinating and important book should be required reading for our elected officials and policy-makers."--Felix Rohatyn, Former Chairman, Municipal Assistance Corporation "America's ability to realize its full competitive potential and address its super-sized economic, social, and environmental challenges depends fundamentally on getting infrastructure right. This book reveals the enormous variety in how different sectors of infrastructure are designed, financed, governed and, as importantly, how it all works together."--Robert Puentes, Director, Metropolitan Infrastructure Initiative, Brookings Institution "Landscape architects who work with infrastructure projects will appreciate the broad look the author Hillary Brown takes at what's needed to make infrastructure work in the modern world."--Landscape Architecture Magazine "The bottom line-this is bold thinking about how to confront a looming problem of outdated and failing infrastructure systems that, if unresolved, could cripple the U.S. economy and lifestyle...Brown presents a positive and optimistic way forward, firmly grounded in current experience, pragmatic principles, and workable technology. If widely read, Next Generation Infrastructure can provide invaluable inspiration and guidance for next-generation decision makers."--Urban Land "Next Generation Infrastructure: Principles for Post-Industrial Public Works is a journey through Brown's lively and facile mind. She has cataloged and taxonomized many public works throughout the world that harness innovative, sustainable methods and practices."--AIA NY's e-Oculus "Next Generation Infrastructure: Principles for Post-Industrial Public Works is an inspiring argument for infrastructure that behaves like nature."--ASLA's The Dirt "[Next Generation Infrastructure] argues that even in the absence of federal will, we can reduce our carbons, protect our resources, plan for climate change and improve our milieu, all while saving money and reaping greater social benefits."--Living on Earth blog "Next Generation Infrastructure is a forward-thinking manifesto; a gold mine of useful examples of infrastructural solutions from around the globe. This is a must read for anyone concerned about our urban futures."--Adele Naude Santos, FAIA, Dean, School of Architecture + Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The 2007 bridge collapse in Minneapolis-St. Paul quickly became symbolic of the debilitated interstate highway system, and of what many critics see as America's disinvestment in its infrastructure. The extreme vulnerability of single-purpose, ageing infrastructure was highlighted once again when Hurricane Sandy churned its way across the northeast United States. Inundating New York City's vital arteries, floodwaters overwhelmed tunnels and sewers; closed bridges; shut down mass transit; curtailed gas supplies; and destroyed streets, buildings, and whole neighbourhoods. Next Generation Infrastructure takes a critical but ultimately hopeful look at how our infrastructure networks can be made more efficient, less environmentally damaging, and more resilient. Brown argues that, if we're to chart a course for global sustainability, we must begin to design, regulate, and finance infrastructure that decouples carbon-intensive and ecologically harmful technologies from critical infrastructure systems, namely the essential systems for contemporary society: water, wastewater, power, solid waste, transportation, and communication. The book highlights hopeful examples from around the world, ranging from the Mount Poso cogeneration plant in California to urban rainwater harvesting in Seoul, South Korea, to the multi-purpose Marina Barrage project in Singapore. Brown encourages us to envision infrastructure within a larger economic, environmental, and social context, and to share resources across systems, reducing costs and extending benefits. This is a must read for professionals and students interested in a more resilient urban future including urban designers, architects, urban planners, urban policymakers, landscape architects, and engineers.