Sustainable and Healthy Communities through Integrating Mobility Simulations in the Urban Design Process

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and new global construction estimated to be 250x NYC by 2050 is increasing traffic congestion, pollution, and related health threats. Thus, it is imperative that we develop new modeling capabilities that allow urban designers to quantify the performance of mobility solutions, sustainability, public health impacts, pedestrian thermal comfort and pollution exposure during the earliest stages of a design process. Embedded in a generative, performance-driven design process, such a tool can significantly facilitate the design of healthy and sustainable urban habitats that promote active mobility.