6 Ways Better Buildings Create Better Communities

In the wake of the recent pandemic and increasing instances of natural disasters, emerges the need to redefine what it means to be a “smart city.” Today, smart communities are the ones that invest in people-first solutions that enhance equity and quality of life. Ensuring community members have access to healthy environments, reliably comfortable public facilities, and safe spaces to seek shelter in the face of crisis are just a few examples of ways civic leaders are investing in these solutions today.

And though community leaders know how critical the health of their building infrastructure is to the vitality of their community, they’re overwhelmed on where to start and how to make sure it makes economic sense. They need an achievable plan to modernize and build a truly sustainable and prosperous community.

If this sounds like you, you’re in luck. We’ve put together this guide to show you how to lean on existing building infrastructure to support your community’s long-term prosperity.

2. Beyond smart cities: supporting secure communities
Protecting the public spaces where citizens live, learn, work, and play is critical to the overall health and prosperity of our communities. Our kids spend their days in schools and gymnasiums. Citizens rely on community centers and libraries as emergency shelters in the face of natural disasters. And our most vulnerable populations often rely on public buildings for housing, resources and workforce development. Not to mention the millions of government employees who work in public facilities each day.

Numerous communities leverage connected building management and intelligent automations to mitigate threats to the structural integrity, comfort, air quality, and cybersecurity of these critical civic spaces in real-time.

3. Connected buildings offer scalable community resilience
From seasonal streetlight schedules near local parks to summer cooling in senior centers and jails, community energy demands are constantly fluctuating. Not to mention the ebbs and flow of the population within a city or community over time.

Scaling community resources becomes even more critical in the face of a natural disaster. Libraries and fire stations become life-protecting emergency shelters in the face of power outages, pandemics, and natural disasters. Equipping these facilities with reliable power through contingency resources like energy storage helps to ensure these shelters have power to continue supporting the community 24/7 – even if a disaster collapses other power sources. A step further, equipping these facilities with on-site renewable energy generation systems can offer energy independence and resiliency. 

4. Modernize without taxpayer funds
Did you know you can leverage energy and operational savings through existing assets to improve aging infrastructure without financially impacting taxpayers? Using an Energy Savings Performance Contract, you can fund capital improvement and facilities modernization projects using future energy savings over the term of the contract. This means no initial capital is required.

Additionally, Trane is well-versed in federal and state funding options available for infrastructure projects, including the recent American Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) , and can help you maximize your return on these investment opportunities.  

5. Better buildings fast-track sustainability goals

The easiest way to accelerate climate action to offset carbon emissions is by building decarbonization, water conservation, and energy efficiency into your infrastructure.

Start by offsetting a building’s carbon emissions by modernizing the facility with efficient HVAC systems and equipment. Replace fossil fuel HVAC systems with electric solutions and help reduce waste by incorporating building automations that reduce energy use during off-peak hours. When you’re ready to take it a step further, you can transition your facilities to rely on clean, renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions even further.

Communities around the world are illustrating just how great sustainability and decarbonization are for local economies – see how one State is offsetting over 7,400 metric tons of CO2 while saving $1.2 million every year through better buildings.  

6. Healthy public spaces support community equity
Enhancing the health and comfort of the public spaces citizens rely on the most can have ripple effects, improving the holistic prosperity of communities.

Community libraries, shelters, jails and schools often serve as centers for connectivity. For example, it’s not uncommon for the local library to be a primary access point for the internet. Someone could use this internet to complete an online training course, get a better-paying job, and build a pathway out of poverty. Ensuring a healthy and comfortable indoor environment is critical to supporting this citizen’s success.

From protecting healthy, comfortable civic environments where people work and play, to providing reliable shelter and support in times of critical need, every building plays a role in protecting the community it serves. Relying on a reputable and experienced building and infrastructure partner is essential to protecting these public spaces. As your trusted partner, Trane offers a holistic, scalable, and smart approach to helping improve your community’s infrastructure today and for generations to come.

_{1 United Nations Environment Programme - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/02/why-the-buildings-of-the-future-are-key-to-an-efficient-energy-ecosystem/}