Buildings and infrastructure, such as our water system and tree canopy, are integral components of our daily lives. It is critical that these systems enable and support the well-being of the communities they serve. In the past, buildings were often constructed without consideration for sustainability, resilience, and health. For example, older buildings built without proper insulation and with large south-facing windows heat up quickly. This requires a significant amount of cooling and contributes to unhealthy environments.

Further, our infrastructure systems often lack resiliency and redundancy, such as a diverse range of water sources during droughts, use of open space to manage flooding, or cool surfaces and canopies that mitigate urban heat.