Buildings & Design
Ann Arbor, Michigan, voters approved a ballot measure to create a sustainable energy utility (SEU) that will supplement DTE Energy's service, focusing on rooftop solar and battery storage. The SEU aims to boost local clean energy and resilience, with operations expected to start within two years.
Nearly five years after tenant advocate Victoria Price testified about unsafe heat in her building, Montgomery County, Maryland, passed a law mandating air conditioning in many rentals. The rule, effective since 2020, requires landlords to provide cooling capable of reaching 80°F from June 1 to Sept. 30. Implementation faced early challenges, but officials report compliance and lessons for other jurisdictions.
Amid record-breaking heat, more U.S. cities are adopting policies that require landlords to provide air conditioning equipment capable of maintaining safe indoor temperatures. Dallas, Montgomery County, Chicago, and New Orleans have already enacted such rules, while New York City and Los Angeles County are considering similar measures. Experts highlight the importance of these policies but note challenges including energy costs, infrastructure retrofits, and the need for complementary assistance programs.
Heat pumps are gaining recognition across the U.S. for their efficiency and lower emissions, with a coalition of governors pledging to reach 20 million installations by 2030. However, retrofitting existing commercial buildings faces significant hurdles, including physical constraints, high costs, and grid limitations. Experts discuss strategies such as hybrid systems and demand response, while emphasizing that heat pumps are just one part of a broader decarbonization approach.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to support research on commercial-to-residential conversions. The initiative, offering up to $860,000, seeks to compile case studies since the start of COVID-19, identify effective policies and incentives, and create a resource guide. Industry experts believe this could halve project turnaround times, though economic feasibility remains a challenge.
As cities grapple with affordable housing crises, basement apartments offer a potential solution, yet the growing threat of climate-fueled flooding raises safety concerns. New York's pilot program lags, while Chicago, Boston, and others explore accessory dwelling units with flood-resilient regulations. Innovative insurance and risk tools aim to protect vulnerable residents.
数字孪生作为物理世界的3D虚拟副本，正逐步进入城市规划视野。波士顿自2015年起构建并公开其城市模型；查塔努加借助该技术优化信号灯配时，使交通流提升最高30%；纽约、拉斯维加斯等地则将其用于建筑脱碳。然而，数据维护、隐私与投入成本仍是主要障碍。
FCC向SpaceX的Starlink授予8.8551亿美元，用于农村宽带服务，引发关于卫星互联网是否可靠、成本是否过高的讨论。支持者认为其能覆盖光纤难以到达的地区，反对者则担忧其技术未经验证且价格不菲。
The pandemic is reshaping commercial and residential architecture, with a focus on touchless technology, flexible layouts, and health-centric materials. Experts weigh in on what contractors should expect.