Revitalization efforts in neighborhoods offer opportunities to implement sustainable solutions. A visit to Birmingham nearly requires a hard hat these days. Cranes have joined Vulcan as fixtures on the skyline, hovering above new apartment buildings and renovated historic landmarks. All of this construction is paving the way for an influx of new residents eager to live in Alabama’s largest city.
Birmingham’s buzz of activity reflects a global trend: Cities are booming. A 2014 United Nations report notes that more than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas, and that by 2045, urban dwellers could number more than six billion. (Just for comparison, Earth’s entire current population is estimated at 7.4 billion people.) In the United States, urban areas account for 80.7 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Starting to feel claustrophobic? The shift toward cities raises challenges that will define the 21st century—including questions about health and environmental impacts, infrastructure, transportation, and access to basic services. Discover how some UAB researchers and students are developing creative solutions to help Birmingham and other cities grow smarter.
Read more about Boom Town at www.uab.edu/uabmagazine.