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Building resilient communities through infrastructure, innovation & inclusion
Lisa Brown and James Brainard, mayor of Carmel, Indiana, during the United States Conference of Mayors’ 87th Annual Meeting.
By Lisa Brown, Senior National Director, Smart Cities & Municipalities, Johnson Controls, Building Solutions North America
A reliable and resilient infrastructure is at the core of every successful city. In order to prepare for future challenges, city leaders need to consider upgrading their infrastructure and implementing innovative and sustainable technologies to set their cities up for success. It’s also important to make sure that everyone has an active role in building up our communities.
These priorities were a main discussion during the recent United States Conference of Mayors’ 87th Annual Meeting, which I attended in Honolulu, Hawaii, from June 28-July 1, 2019. Specifically, there was emphasis was on three key themes – infrastructure, innovation and inclusion – also known as “the three I’s.” The focus was on the need to build resilient infrastructure, promote innovation and encourage inclusion.
Specifically, there was emphasis was on three key themes – infrastructure, innovation and inclusion – also known as “the three I’s.” The focus was on the need to build resilient infrastructure, promote innovation and encourage inclusion.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to hear from mayors and city leaders across the country about the real challenges they are facing as it relates to “the three I’s” and how they are meeting those obstacles. Attendees shared their thoughts on what needs to be done to create smart, resilient communities. For instance, making investments in innovative and sustainable technologies, such as vertical assets and smart water technologies, is a step in the right direction. Additionally, there is a push to invest in analyzing data and a need to figure out how it can be best utilized to better the community. However, it’s important to keep in mind the third “I” – inclusion – and make sure these investments are being made across all neighborhoods to keep up with the influx of people moving to urban neighborhoods and to ensure equal social and economic development.
It was great to connect with so many forward-thinking mayors and municipal leaders and share ways that Johnson Controls is helping guide cities towards creating safer, smarter, resilient and more sustainable communities. Learn more here.