This post was written by Angie Ziech, MPC research assistant.
Recently, I attended the National Academy of Engineers’ Chicago Summit on the Grand Challenges, which nicely coincided with Earth Day. It featured some of the best and brightest science, technology, and engineering minds addressing four pressing "Grand Challenges" in the 21st Century: Clean Water; Carbon, Energy, and Climate; Urban Sustainability; and Global Health. It was great to have this in Chicago, because our region must address these challenges to remain competitive in the 21st Century. In his opening remarks, John Anderson, president of the Illinois Institute of Technology, remarked that Chicago is well-positioned to solve these problems and serve as a blueprint for other cities. I couldn’t help but think of the important role MPC plays in addressing these same Grand Challenges.
Given that most of my work at MPC is focused on water management, I was especially excited for the panel on Clean Water. Our region needs to greatly improve its water efficiency. As resources like aquifers become further strained, more communities will look to Lake Michigan for water they need to grow and do business with. If we don’t use the water well, it won’t matter how much we have, demand will eventually outpace available supply. Margaret Osbourne of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified several specific challenges including aging infrastructure, stormwater and nonpoint source pollution, water supply shortages, and energy use associated with water operations. All of these challenges are addressed in MPC’s latest report on water management planning, Before the Wells Run Dry, and will explored further in MPC and Openlands’ summer roundtable series, Choosing our Water Future, which kicks off on May 12.
During the Urban Sustainability panel discussion, experts highlighted the relationship between tall buildings and sustainable communities. The speakers noted that dense living was great, but if the density was unplanned, it would not promote healthy, livable communities. Anthony Wood argued that dense developments and tall buildings must be interconnected at all levels and must incorporate employment, open space, schools, transit, and residences. Much of the work MPC does falls under the umbrella of sustainable development, from Placemaking Chicago to our work investigating and promoting new ways to think about transit. On June 3 we're partnering with Archeworks and Openlands on Infrastructure for Change, to explore how the architecture, design and engineering communities can build communities and infrastructure that increases livability and stewardship of the Great Lakes at the same time.
Carbon, Energy, and Climate is another Grand Challenge. The work of MPC and its partners holds tremendous potential for climate change mitigation. John Holdren, director of President Obama’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, gave a presentation on meeting energy and climate challenges and the subsequent panel discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration. MPC’s work through its Interjurisdictional Collaboration immediately came to mind, especially because the communities we’re working with have shared goals to prioritize infill development and promote alternatives to driving. Our Employer-Assisted Housing work has also proven itself as a way to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, and it helps reduce carbon emissions. These policies move people from cars to trains or bikes. They’re important steps forward in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
During this event, I heard engineers and scientists repeat that the Grand Challenges of the 21st Century can be met with innovation and collaboration. I’ve only been at MPC a short time, but it’s clear that MPC agrees, and is working hard every day to promote solutions to these challenges.
What do you think? Are there other Grand Challenges facing our region? How can MPC and its partners work to address these issues?