Reimagining Cities with Prof. David Hsu

Paradoxically, urban planning professor David Hsu doesn’t consider himself a “city person,” but he has great appreciation and enthusiasm for cities as places where meaningful steps can be taken toward climate mitigation. In this episode, Prof. Hsu explains that urban planners can help move cities to take action to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the construction, heating, power, and transport sectors. But he observes that the most lasting and successful actions are ones that are implemented democratically, with the consent and participation of the affected communities. To win over those communities, he says, technical experts have to learn to communicate solid facts using math that even a layperson can follow. And they need to learn that sometimes there can be more than one defensible position in response to a given problem-which is why Prof. Hsu often asks his students to read multiple papers that take conflicting positions on a particular problem, and to evaluate which paper’s (or papers’) arguments are more persuasive. Because in the end, it’s people who need to be persuaded to take action against climate change-solutions won’t implement themselves.
Relevant Resources:
MIT OpenCourseWare (ocw.mit.edu)
The OCW Educator Portal (ocw.mit.edu/educator)
Professor Hsu’s faculty page (dusp.mit.edu/people/david-hsu)
11.165J Urban Energy Systems and Policy on MIT OpenCourseWare (ocw.mit.edu/courses/11-165j-u...)
Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions
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Credits
Sarah Hansen, host and producer ( / sarah-e-hansen )
Brett Paci, producer ( / brett_paci )
Dave Lishansky, producer ( / daveresonates )
Show notes by Peter Chipman

[@_Free_Thinker]

The problem with climate change thought is that regular people are blamed for pollution created by corporations. The executives get to create as much pollution as they want ... Flying, huge houses, multiple houses, multiple cars, luxury goods, tech with dirty batteries, eating out,etc. Only the little guy is expected to give up their quality of life. Only the little guy who lives in the world the corporations designed are expected to sacrifice.

[@WeylandLabs]

One Solution: Imagine a sustainable micro-community, spanning one to two miles and consisting of four to five-story sections resembling a miniature New York City but without the noise and pollution or as tall. This community would be built using eco-friendly materials that are easy to assemble and dismantle. The heart of this neighborhood would be a central park, accessible by walking and biking, fostering a close-knit community vibe.
The community could harness power from an array of thorium micro-reactors, ensuring a clean and reliable energy supply. Innovative features would include vertical farms and green roofs to supply local produce and manage urban climate; smart infrastructure employing IoT for efficient resource management; and advanced water recycling systems. Housing would be flexible and modular, adapting to changing needs, while communal spaces would encourage social interaction too combat the epidemic of loneliness.
Transport options would include electric mini shuttles( like an enclosed golfcart train on a rail system 2 or 3 stories high ) and personal mobility devices, reducing the need for personal vehicles. The community would also emphasize waste reduction through centralized composting and recycling, and include cultural and educational facilities to promote lifelong learning and cultural enrichment. Sponsored green educational institutions along with having its own technology and innovation center.
I feel this micro-community would not only be a place to live but a vibrant, self-sufficient ecosystem promoting sustainability and quality of life. I recognize that the world we live in isn't perfect. However, I remain optimistic that the students and learners here are eager to make a positive change. Let's focus on devising solutions rather than dwelling on the problems.

[@Pathfindergreen]

But they provide jobs for people aswell...

[@adammontgomery7980]

​@@WeylandLabsI don't mean to burst your bubble, but your vision of utopia isn't in line with others'. It all sounds great, but there's a lot you haven't (and can't) account for.

[@WeylandLabs]

@adammontgomery7980 This is the UA-cam comment section, not a sales pitch or an academic research paper. All you ever hear is people complain about stuff, never finding a solution to it.
I appreciate your feedback. However, it was meant to be thought-provoking and challenge or inspire a new way of living together.
If you would like to create a practical future solution, I would love to hear it. Otherwise, it's pointless to say what I'm talking about is impractical or not possible if that is what you are saying.
But ok, I'll bite besides the thorium micro reactors corrosion stability problem. What are the three biggest problems and solutions to them I didn't account for ?

[@lordcrunk4790]

City buildings must, MUST have passive insulated shells. Heat a skyscraper with a candle and one solar panel type of insulation.

[@WeylandLabs]

Oh no.. What did i miss !

[@not_amanullah]

Thanks

[@satyagoswami3754]

Hello I from India. MY dream is MIT after JEE o❤

[@not_amanullah]

🤍❤️